concern was literally my nightmare. I wanted to be there for Noah like she wanted me to, but I couldn’t deny that my stomach was sick with worry that she would suddenly get her memories back and no longer need – or want – me any more. I knew how much it hurt to have her not want me because it had happened once before, and if I was being honest with myself, I didn’t know if I had the strength to pick myself up if it happened a second time.
“I can’t think about anythin’ like that, AJ, I just can’t. I’ll drive meself mad. I just have to take things as they come.”
AJ bobbed his head in understanding. “Just remember that I’m here for you. I know I’m not as pretty as Noah, but mate, you’ll never have to shoulder anything alone while I’m around.”
I gave him a hug, which he returned with a firm pat on my back.
“Thanks, brother.”
We continued up the stairs until we made it to the ICU floor. I felt myself grow nervous as I approached the double doors that led to where Noah was. I was terrified that she’d suddenly got all of her memories back and would turn me away again, but I had to force that fear down. I couldn’t think about myself, I had to think about Noah. I wanted her to get better. I needed her to.
And if that meant she got all of her memories back, so be it.
The ICU was guarded by security twenty-four hours a day to keep patients’ visitors to a minimum. Luckily, the guard didn’t seem to be in much of a mood to do his job, because he didn’t look up from his phone as we passed him. AJ dropped behind me when I came to a stop outside Noah’s room. I gently knocked on the door then opened it. I smiled at her parents, who were sitting and reading as Noah slept.
“How is she?”
“Doing well,” Mr Ainsley answered. “She’s been asleep since we got here at half nine . . . If she asks, we’re saying we came in at ten like she told us to.”
I smiled as AJ moved into view beside me.
“Ajax, honey.” Mrs Ainsley got to her feet. “Lovely to see you.”
She moved across the room and gave him a hug, which he returned with enthusiasm – making Mrs Ainsley giggle as she swatted her hand against his chest.
“Still looking as gorgeous as ever, Mrs A,” he said, winking. “Your husband is a lucky man.”
“AJ,” a voice that brought a smile to my face said. “I know I’m stuck in the past, but you should’ve left those cheesy lines there too.”
I laughed as AJ crossed the room and gave Noah the gentlest hug I had ever seen him manage. He was a bear-hugger – even I’d got out of breath once or twice when he squeezed a little too hard – but he was as gentle as a feather with Noah now. I appreciated it, and I know she did too.
“You’re a sight for sore eyes, Nono,” AJ said to Noah, placing a loud kiss on her forehead. “You scared seven shades of shit outta of me, just so you know. Apologise.”
Noah laughed, and so did her parents. I smiled but I also watched her face, noticing how she winced ever so slightly with the action. Her head was still giving her trouble. I looked at her father, and he glanced at me at the same time, seeming to have noticed the same thing. I gestured for him to come out into the hall with me.
“I’m showin’ Elliot where the coffee and tea station is,” he said.
Noah’s eyes dashed to mine and I saw panic fill those pretty greens.
“I’ll be right back,” I assured her. “Promise.”
She relaxed, nodded and looked back at AJ, who was asking her why she hadn’t yet apologised to him and making her grin. I left the room with her father while she was distracted, and we walked down the hallway until we were out of earshot.
“The nurse told us she had a bumpy night,” Mr Ainsley informed me. “She didn’t want us to be called, but her headaches got bad enough that they gave her morphine to kill the pain. She’s having another MRI done this afternoon to compare with the earlier scans from when she was in her coma, but as far as the doctors are concerned, she’s a miracle. She can talk, her