Carnations for Emily

Chapter 12: Remembrance Recover

When Jack woke up the next morning he wasn't prepared for who was waiting for him at the dining table in the kitchen.

"E-Emily?!
What are you doing here so early?" Jack asked surprised.
"Well hun she just knocked on the door a few minutes ago.
When I saw who it was I couldn't believe it myself." Hellen chimed in.
"Last night...
I remembered that...
We used to come over to each other's house and wake each other up." Emily said still half asleep.
"So she's slowly remembering me." Jack thought to himself.
"Well you didn't have to come over so early.
I can still tell you're sleepy." Jack laughed in a teasing tone as he walked over and wiped the sleep from Emily's eyes.
Emily just grumbled and huffed.
Amongst her mumble Emily asked.
"What do you want to do today?"
Jack thought to himself for a few moments.
"Let's see if we can try to jog your memory of me.
If you want." Jack said.
"Of course!" Emily practically leaped at Jack as she said that.
"Okay, okay settle down" Jack laughed.

After a while the two walked to specific spots around town hoping something would make Emily remember.
But nothing was working.
"I'm sorry Jack..." Emily frowned.
Jack just smiled at her.
"Hey it's okay.
Something is bound to trigger your memory."
As optimistic as he tried to be, on the inside he wasn't too confident in his own words.
He accepted a long time ago that if she didn't remember him, he would be okay with that.
Just then something clicked in his head.
"Ah!
I've got an idea!"
Jack grabbed Emily's hand as they raced off to the community park.
"W-where are we going?" Emily panted.
"You'll see." Jack said.

After a practical run, Jack pretty much dragged Emily to a flower bed hidden off one of the paths at the park.
"Carnations!" Emily gasped.
"They're still you're favorite flower right?" Jack asked.
Emily ran over to the center of the flower bed, picked a few and looked back at him with a nod.
"Mhm." She replied.
A memory triggered within her.

...

"What are you doing here Jack?" A twelve year old Emily asked.
"I'm planting flowers." Thirteen year old Jack answered
Emily came closer and peeked over Jack's shoulder.
"What kind of flower?" She asked him.
Jack turned around and gave a cheesy smile.
"Only your favorite!"

...

When the memory faded Emily found herself laying amongst the carnations.
Sitting next to her was Jack, as if he was protecting her.
"What happened?" Emily rubbed her eyes and leaned up.
"You just suddenly passed out. I got worried, but didn't want to move you." Jack replied.
"I remember...
You made this flower bed for me." Emily smiled to Jack.
"Thank you so much." She said.
Jack blushed at her sincerity.
"I-it was nothing.
I'm just glad that nature had been taking care of it." Jack scratched the back of his head.

After a few moments Emily spoke up.
"Jack..."
When Jack turned to face Emily he was caught off guard by her grabbing his head and resting him on her chest.
"E-E-Emily?!" Jack's face turned a bright crimson.
"I'm sorry..." Emily whispered.
"I'm sorry that I've forgotten you..." She said.
Unbeknownst to Jack, Emily had recovered a decent amount or her memories of him.
Both through slumber and small triggers, but the flower bed was a massive trigger.
At this point she felt she was only missing a few more important pieces.
"You're name is Jack..." Emily began to roll off a list of what she recovered about Jack.
"Your favorite flower is a rose.
You were adopted by Hellen at the age of seven.
You love to sing-"
Emily had continued to list off what she remembered but Jack could tell there were still a few memories missing.
Some important.
Some hurtful.
Regardless Jack knew that she should remember everything even if it meant she'd hate him forever.
Jack pried himself from Emily's chest.
His face still a deep red hue he spoke with a bit of a stutter, firmly remembering just how soft Emily's chest is...
"C-come on.
I think I know a few more places that could help your memory."
When Jack finished his sentence Emily held out her hand with and a smile on her face she said.
"Guide me."