Remember Me

25

Everything happened so fast. One minute, I was pushing and nothing was happening. The next, there was a beautiful baby in my arms. A baby girl, at that.

I wondered if James lied to me about me having a girl or if he genuinely didn't know. I assumed he had and wanted me to believe it was a boy. He had me so doped up on drugs that I wouldn't have put it past him.

I was grateful it was a girl. I didn't want a baby that ran the risk of being crazy like him. I wanted a baby that would grow up to do good things and help people and love. I felt more comfortable having a girl which was only made obvious when Jade told me the first time.

She moved to the front seat once the baby was breathing fine and resting on my chest. Nico needed directions and she was the only one that knew the area. Maybe we did but neither of us could remember our past lives. And if we did, it wasn't enough to help us.

I stared down at the baby in my arms. I couldn't believe we managed to survive. It didn't seem like it would happen, especially after seeing James shoot at me. I thought I'd die and leave the baby to fend for itself.

But there she was. In my arms where I wanted her. Almost safe.

I knew everything would be okay.

Nico pulled into the inlet of a hospital, under letters that read EMERGENCY in red. Rain had started once we got into the city and hadn't let up.

Jade got out and told us to wait on her to come back. I wasn't sure what kind of doctor expertise she had accumulated in the real world. I knew it was enough to bring my baby into the world but I wanted to be with a trusted doctor. Someone that wasn't crazy.

Nico turned around in his seat and I could see the tension still in his shoulders. "Sterling, I think I need to distance myself from all of this."

I raised my eyebrows at him. I was still hurting from all the pushing and swelling my body was still under. I was also in the bliss of holding my sweet baby and protecting her in my arms. His words didn't quite register with me like they should have. "What do you mean?"

"I'm glad we're safe and the baby is okay. But... I need to figure my life out. Alone."

I met his gaze and knew he was serious. He'd been thinking about it before. For a while.

I nodded. I understood. I didn't want anything to do with Jade once we entered the hospital. I wanted to be reunited with my family and go home where I belonged. I wanted to remember my old life again. "Thank you for all you've done for me. I don't think I would have survived without you."

His face flushed and he glanced back at the hospital doors. "It's all about helping mankind, right?"

I smiled. "Right."

He looked at the baby and I could tell he was a sucker for babies. "Take care of her."

"Like I'd let anything happen to her." I rolled my eyes.

Jade opened the door beside me, a wheelchair placed in front of her. "They're ready for you."