Chapter 3

I woke in the middle of my afternoon nap to hear my secretary screaming at an unknown person to stay out of my office. I usually lock the door so I will be undisturbed. This guy had the nerve to try and break it down. I activated the silent alarm to call security, as suddenly the banging started it stopped as abruptly. I opened the door to see my brother-in-law on the floor with my security stacked on top of him like flapjacks. I started laughing and I couldn't control it. Monique came with a glass of water and asked me to wait inside, she thought I was in shock. I turned to Henry, "Husband darling go easy on him. He is still in shock, he did lose his wife just a few months ago." He looked at me all surprised then his expression turned to pure love, "You remembered me? I thought I would have to sit and watch you almost marry Louie all over again. I tried everything to help you remember but the doctor said that you will remember when you are ready or not at all." I kissed his cheek and he blushed red. Meanwhile, on the floor, the flapjack on the bottom was gasping for air. He looked at me point blank and let out a wounded hippopotamus sound and passed out.

I burst out laughing again, this had Monique concerned so she dragged me inside till the floor was clear.

Henry came back inside with a bouquet of red roses. The smile enhanced his already gorgeous face that it took my breath away. "What did I do to deserve this?" I stuttered. His eyes sparkled mysteriously, "I think I need to ask you that. I returned after my day off with my daughter, the house was empty. I called others but they didn't respond I thought I was too late to save you. Then I saw you glide downstairs wearing only a shirt. You looked at me with those beautiful gray eyes. The pained look pierced into my soul and I wanted to lay my life to make sure you were unharmed. You explained that you sent everyone away so we could talk. I sat down patiently while you cooked us dinner. You leaned in and kissed me on the lips. You explained that you have been wanting me since the day I walked into your life. Louis has been proposing to you but he was not what you were looking for. Your heart finally told you what it wanted when you gazed into my eyes. You were persistent about your feelings for me, ignoring my refusal. Promising me that you will win my heart because I possessed yours. An idiot who ha1d a crush on you decided to kidnap you while you were shopping. My heart sank when I saw the police fish your body out of the water. I remember the last words you said to me 'I would rather die than marry anyone else'. There you were pale as a ghost and as still as a corpse. I relived those moments where I lost people that mattered to me most. My parents, my wife, high school friends, and brothers in arms. Everything around me slowed down as I watched them try to resuscitate you. When you finally gasped for air, I felt like my feet wouldn't move fast enough to close the distance between us. You looked at me like a blind man seeing the sun for the first time 'Are you an angel?' you asked me. I felt undeserving of your love but I promised you that I will love you for as long as I live."

I gave him a shy smile. "I remember that day you first came with flowers. I was in the hospital looking like a science experiment. You gave me a kiss and a ring. You proposed to me. I said yes. I saw myself in the mirror and asked you why you would say yes when I looked like the creature from the black lagoon. You told me I was the most beautiful woman you have ever seen. It was irrelevant that I looked like that now. In a few days, I would be out of the hospital and I would look like a doll again. You were looking forward to it."

He turned the roses into a wreath and placed it on my head. He smiled, "The queen of my dreams has returned to me." He kissed my hand and asked me to finish work quickly. He has a surprise for me. I hugged him and worked double-time to get the work done.

I got a phone call from Louie and I told him to stick with the business. I just got my memory back. This seemed to chaff him but like I said what can he do? He is my oldest friend. He said, "He who must not be named has arrived and he wants to talk to you." I hung up without a second thought. My husband had a surprise and I wanted to see it quick. By dinner, my schedule was cleared and this seemed to impress even my assistants. I asked to see my husband. He came and drove me to our favorite place. The giant Beech tree outside the city where I realized I had fallen in love with him. We had a picnic dinner and he drove me to his old apartment where we spend the night.

A few days later I have some time off so I decided to go back to Edward's estate for a much-needed break. I asked Henry if he could arrange the transport and call the foreman ahead of time so he won't shoot at us. He happily agreed. GM was already there once more arguing with the Harmons about the fate of Bethany.

I reached Edge's house by nightfall. Henry carried me inside and placed me on the couch. Edge giggled, "Are you guys on your fifth honeymoon? Did you guys fight? What's going on?" I flashed him a dazzling smile, "This is our secret. Don't get all worked up like this is a Scooby-Doo mystery." Edge smiled, "We have been invited to the Harmon Farm." I lowered my head in annoyance. I hope they appreciate that I am a married woman they should keep their hands away from me. Henry was interested in the farmhouse because I had told him a lot of stories from our childhood.

We arrived at 7:30 precisely and as expected the father and uncle weren't pleased I got my memory back. They were hoping that I would still have amnesia and I would choose one of their sons. I held on to my husband's hand as we walked in. Edge followed with his wife and son. The Harmons had sour faces as we sat down with GM. After hubby and I stepped out and I explained the fun we had here when we were young. The Henderson couple used to love our visit and look forward to it. It kept their son Douglas entertained and out of trouble. I introduced him to the stump that used to be called the Tire tree. Old man Henderson placed a tire swing for me to swing on. The next morning it would be lodged up between the branches. Soon each branch had at least two tires wedged in it. We dubbed in The Tire tree. We had carved our initials. The top initial was mine. The one next to it was Edge's initial. The bottom two were Jessica's and Dougie's initials. Next in the tour was to show him the smudge on the roof where Edge was almost struck by lightning. This was news to GM so naturally, she scolded Edge for his foolishness. He shrugged it off. I showed him the bells that make my ears hurt. The next was where the swimming hole used to be. It was where the cows are kept now. I introduced him to the shard alleyway. It is where Mrs. Henderson's brother used to drink beer bottles and smash them to the floor. If it is not cleared then after each rain the glass shards will poke out like knives ready to cut. It looks like the floor has been turned into a grater. I warned him not to go in there because it hasn't been properly cleared. Then I took him to see the umbrella tree. It looks like an opened umbrella. He laughed when he saw it. He thought I was kidding. Our tour continued towards the barn where we played hide and seek. I had hidden my mother's ring box there. Henry was kind enough to fetch it for me. We held hands and walked to the guest house where we had scribbled our version of the growth spurt log on the front porch. He laughed when he saw the barely legible writing. King Edge was here. Lady Jess has arrived. Princess Sabrina has decided to get a pet bunny. Edge has lost his tooth in a fight. Jess has her first baby tooth. Sabrina scrapped her knee. Sabrina's first day on the roof. Edge almost got struck by lightning. Sabrina was also almost struck by lightning. Our first discovery of fulgurite. Today we made our special treasure map. Edge threw up after his first horse ride. Sabrina almost punched a boy. Jess got her pet fish a new friend. Sabrina has planned a surprise birthday party for GM.

Henry looked at me with interest, "You had a very interesting life here. You made a sound it was boring. This post proves you had such an amazing time. I suppose words are not always enough." I blushed and he decided that we should head home. We walked past a fence and I just burst out laughing. Edge asked me if I was feeling ok and I reminded him of the old couple The Cook Family that used to live next door. The husband Jason is blind as a bat. He used to water the Wellington boots instead of the Begonias, Peonies, and Lilacs. He drove the old rabbit to the gorge that is not far from our estate and flattened a water tank in one go. I remember the angel of death that day when he almost missing me by an inch. He hugged GM and said his daughter has lost weight and yelled at his wife to get the bags thinking it was his son-in-law. Edge burst out laughing too. He remembered the day we almost ate raw meat burgers. The day Mr. Cook mistook Jess for his wife's pet cat till she cooed. The day he mistakenly fed his dog his wife's cat food and we got scared one night and emptied the entire fire extinguisher on his wife. Petra asked us not to say anything to anyone. We declared that we will tell everyone we meet for the rest of the week. This made GM laugh as she recalled the day he mistook her for his ex-girlfriend. This made Edge laugh so hard he said his ribs hurt. My husband was laughing, "I wish I met you sooner, maybe I would have enjoyed this adventure too." We walked out to see Caesar was waiting for me. He saw Henry and said nothing. He and Henry had a staring contest. After which he stepped aside without further drama.

The next morning the alarm went off and I drove to see Francesca. She seemed very upset that her husband was caught cheating on her with the nanny and the cook. Since he signed a prenup she gets the kids and half his wealth. She didn't want it. What she wanted was a loving, caring, devoted husband who will help her raise her children. That wasn't going to happen so she had no choice but to leave him and try again.