Remember Me

5

James brushed the hair from my face. "I want you to stay here a couple of days."

I leaned into his hand, breathing heavy. "Will you stay with me?"

He smiled and kissed my temple. "It'll just be you and me, princess."

I smiled and let my head fall against his chest.

He looked down at me. "Are you feeling alright, Sterling?"

I nodded weakly. "I'm just tired."

He pulled the blanket over me, covering my naked skin. "I think we overestimated your strength."

"I just want to make you happy."

"You already make me happy, baby girl."

I took a deep breath and settled into him even more, my body getting more and more tired as the minutes passed.

He stood up and set me down on the bed. I was too tired to fight back. I heard rustling from his closet and when he came back to me, he was dressed.

"I need security to 412."

I struggled to stay awake and figure out why security was coming. I hadn't done anything wrong. James said he wasn't mad at me.

The door opened and a man I'd never seen before appeared. He had red hair and glasses on.

"Can you open the doors for me? I need to get her to the infirmary."

The man nodded once.

James picked me up, leaving the blanket around me. My skin felt hot and my hair was sweaty. But the air was cold and I needed the blanket.

I hid my face in his chest as he carried me from his room, following the security guard. Every time we hit a door or elevator, the guard was getting it for us.

James set me down before I realized we were there and he put an oxygen mask over my mouth and nose.

I whimpered, trying to pull it off. I didn't like the infirmary. It reminded me of being trapped in my own body and it scared me. I knew James wouldn't hurt me but that didn't mean someone else would.

He took my hand in his. "Sterling, it's just me. Let me help you."

I tried to relax but my anxiety was through the roof. I didn't want to die. Not when I was possibly pregnant.

He brushed the hair from my face. "Good girl. Breathe. Just focus on breathing."

Something cold and wet touched my shoulder and I flinched. James had a wet towel in his hand and was pressing it to my skin.

"Get some rest. You'll be all better when you wake up."

---

I woke up in James's arms. He was wearing a t-shirt and sweatpants and it was soft against my skin. He'd put a shirt and shorts on me and his blanket was, once again, wrapped around me.

Around us.

I rolled onto my stomach before pushing myself onto my knees. James was asleep and didn't stir when I got up.

I walked into his kitchen and went to the fridge. It was well stocked but I wasn't sure James actually did any cooking.

I pulled out a few things and set them on the counter. I tried being quiet but I couldn't reach most of the cabinets. It wasn't until I dropped a pan on the floor that James walked in.

"What are you doing up?"

"I wanted to make us something to eat."

He wrapped his arms around me and kissed my cheek.

I smiled. "Will you help me?"

"I can make breakfast if you want. You still need to rest."

"I feel fine."

"You said that a few days ago and you exhausted yourself."

"A few days? How long was I asleep for?"

"Close to three. You were really weak, Sterling."

I sighed and leaned against the counter, watching James take over. "Do you think I can stay here with you?"

"Only if you're pregnant."

"Why then? Why can't I stay now? I've been here a few days now already."

"I'm not allowed to have people in my room for long periods of time. I just brought you here last night."

I frowned. "Not even me?"

"When we find out you're having a baby then you can stay."

"Will the baby and I stay here?"

"We have family rooms that we'll move into."

"Family rooms?" I knew nothing about this place. I hardly knew anything about myself. Everything was so new and I was interested in learning all of it.

He nodded. "They're a bit bigger than the average room."

"Can you take me to see one?"

He smiled as he set two plates on the counter for us. "Soon."

"Do you think we'll get married?"

"I think about that often. Maybe out in the garden."

My eyes widened. "I'd love that!"

"You never got to see your flowers, did you?"

I shook my head.

"They're in the bathroom. I thought it might cheer you up to have them here with us."

I quickly left the kitchen and went into the bathroom. Sitting on the counter was a bouquet of flowers in a clear glass vase. There were different types and colors and it was so beautiful. It was exactly what I wanted.

"I love them." I said, carrying them into the kitchen. I set them on the small table so there would be a nice setting between us.

"They're as beautiful as you are." He said, coming up behind me. He set the plates down before pulling me closer. He pressed his lips to mine.

I wrapped my arms around his neck. "I love you."

"I love you, too, baby girl." He pulled me back. "We took a risk the last time. We're not trying again until you're completely healthy."

I pressed my forehead to his chest. "Fine."

He kissed the top of my head.

"What are we doing today?" I asked, sitting down in one of the chairs.

"I have some work to do so you have to go back to your room."

I frowned. "But I just woke up."

"You've been with me for a few days now, Sterling."

"I don't want to leave you."

He took my hand in his. "I don't want to leave you either."

"Do you have like a boss or something that tells you what to do?" I hadn't met very many people since I woke up the week prior. None of them seemed to be in charge. Only people who remotely have power, like James and the other doctors.

"No, but we have laws we have to follow. If we did what we wanted, it could cause you harm and we could get fired."

I raised my eyebrows. That seemed a bit excessive but James would never lie to me. He would never do anything to hurt me. He was leaving me for my own good and I had to respect that. He knew what was best for me.