Broken and Fearless // C.B.

Chapter 82

[Triggering memories.]

Colby's POV:

It's been several weeks since the accident and Jules has slowly been regaining memory. She remembered most of our friends, but she still had no idea who I was, despite me telling her multiple times.

It hurt that she still didn't know me. She was friendlier, which was a plus, but she still didn't know me.

As I was editing late into the night, I heard soft cries and instantly ran to check on her.

She was sitting on the bed and tears were slowly streaming down her cheeks.

I dried her eyes and asked softly, "What's wrong?"

She sniffled and replied, "I texted my brother to see how Ma was and he just told me she'd died over a year ago. Why didn't I know that?!"

"Hey, Juliet, look at me."

She shook her head. "No. Colby, what happened when she died? How? Why?"

I looked at her worriedly, hesitant to tell her, as she wasn't in a good state of mind. "Are you sure you want to know?"

"Please. Is it bad?"

Her bright brown eyes looked at me and I would've given anything not to break her heart again.

I sighed. "Um, well, Thanksgiving 2017, you went home to spend the holiday with your family. When you were waiting at the airport to go home in early December, your mom was in a hit and run. She, uh, she didn't make it. You took it especially hard and you--"

"I what, Colby?"

My eyes stung and I brushed away the tears before they could fall. "You tried to kill yourself and almost succeeded. You would've, had your brother and I not gotten you to the hospital."

"I tried to end it all because my ma died?" She asked slowly.

"Yeah. But thankfully, you didn't."

"But if I had?"

I shook my head. "Juliet, please. I'd rather not think about almost losing you."

"Um, right. Sorry."

"Don't apologize. It's all right."

She bit her knuckle nervously and asked, "Can you stay until I fall back asleep?"

I nodded. "Sure. Where do you want me?"

She thought for a moment and pointed to the end of the bed. "There, please."

I rubbed a hand down her arm and held her hand a moment. "I'll sit right here until you fall asleep."

"Thank you. I--You're really sweet, Colby."

I stayed with her as she drifted back to sleep. I hung by a little longer, making sure she wasn't going to wake again.

If I'm being honest, I was worried. Back in the Trap House, she had nightmares shortly after her mom's death. And now, her nightmares were back. I hated having to divulge the news of her mother's death. I hoped it wouldn't come to the point of suicide again. I'd almost lost her twice, and I knew for certain I couldn't handle a third time.

I stroked her hair softly. "Sleep well, Jules. Remember me."

TWO WEEKS LATER

I was in the process of editing and Jules tapped my shoulder.

I removed my headphones and glanced at her. "Yeah?"

She offered me a sandwich and smiled lightly. "Thought you were hungry."

"Thanks."

She sat next to me and asked, "Colby, when do you want to get married?"

"What?"

"When do you want to get married?"

"Are you saying you--"

"Yeah. I remember it all. I don't know, how, but this morning, I woke up with my memory restored. There are little bits I don't remember, but I remember people and just about everything."

She kissed me and it slowly got more and more passionate before she pulled away.

Jules took her ring from the top of my desk and slipped it on her left finger. "Hello, fiancé."

I kissed her again. "Hi, babe."

She started playing with my hair and I relaxed, enjoying the comforting feeling as I went back to editing.

[My child is back! : ) The ship remains.

Stay tuned. There will most likely be a second update today.

Thanks for all the reads, comments, and votes! They really mean a lot! 😊🖤

Should I make aesthetics for the others? I know I've got Juliet's in chapter 18, but should I make aesthetics for the others?]