“Second Chance Romance”

Copyright 2012 All Rights Reserved

Chapter 16

     “Jade?” Austin stood up at her bed side and stuffed his hands in his pockets in order to keep himself from touching her.  Lying there like that, she just looked so tiny and so vulnerable to him. He purposefully gentled his tone. “It’s me baby. Austin, don’t you remember me?”

     She narrowed her eyes on him and slowly shook her head back and forth. Austin took notice of just how scared she really looked. “I have no idea who you are,” she whispered.  She turned and glanced over at the doorway where Oliver was standing, trying to comfort a distressed Libby.  “Or him for that matter.  Hell, I’m not even sure who I am.”

     Her eyes rested on the little girl and Austin could see that she was trying really hard to place her, but it was more than obvious she was drawing a complete blank.  She really had no earthly idea who they were.

     “Excuse me,” the doctor entered the room, with his hands folded behind his back.  “As you may have already denoted, Jade seems to be having some memory loss.  She suffered a concussion when the board hit her head and knocked her unconscious.  There was some slight swelling on the brain.  For a while there it was touch and go, but it seems to have corrected itself now. However, I do want to keep her here for at least the next twenty-four to forty-eight hours under continuous observation.”

     Austin pulled his gaze away from Jade and turned his attention to the doctor.  “So,” he asked him,  his forehead wrinkling with worry, “exactly how long is the memory loss supposed to last?”

     The doctor’s face remained expressionless.  Everything about the elder gentleman with the white coat screamed professionalism.  “That depends; it could be several hours to several days, maybe even months or years.  A few rare cases have been documented where the patient never fully regains their memory.  Amnesia is a peculiar disease and it’s going to take a lot of patience to deal with it.  Only time will tell in this case.”

     Now that Libby’s soft cries had stopped, Oliver stepped further into the room.  He cushioned her bottom with one arm and held the back of her head with the other.  Keeping his voice low, he stared at the doctor.  “Are you seriously telling me that she may never remember her own daughter?”

     Libby’s head snapped up.  She twisted her small body around so that she could see Jade.  “Mama?”  Her chubby arms reached out and her tiny feet started to kick.  “Mama?” she cried out, “I want my mama!” 

     Austin closed his eyes.  Seeing Libby so upset like that was ripping at his soul.  Her little girl cries continued to resonate in his ears.  She was just a little girl that wanted her mama.  The last few hours have been hell on her and she couldn’t possibly understand anything about what is happening now. 

     He opened his eyes back up, and turned to Jade whose face had suddenly seemed to pale even more, if that was even possible.  She was staring at Libby, wide eyed and the turmoil in those eyes border lined on the edge of panic.  A single diamond droplet tear ran down her cheek.  She may not recognize her daughter but she understood her pain. 

     When he looked back to Oliver, he realized that he was in a deep discussion with the doctor, struggling to hold Libby in his arms. Austin walked over to them and while leaning on one of his crutches he held out his other hand, offering to take Libby from him. 

     At first, Oliver shot him a warning glare and shifted Libby up higher on his hip, tightening his hold on her.  He made it clear that he had no intentions of handing the little girl over to him.

     Only after Libby reached out to Austin, did he reluctantly concede.

     Austin heard the doctor mentioning several different psychologists that Jade could see when he took the child from him.  Libby instantly wrapped her arms around his neck and the scent of apples filled his nose.  For just a moment, Austin held Libby to him, and imagined her as being his own daughter. 

     She was so small and so infinitely precious. If only he hadn’t let Tina seduce him that night, his life could have turned out so differently.  Perhaps, he would have been her father and Jade would have been his wife.  If only…..

     Libby’s small hand touched his cheek.  Shaking his head, Austin brought his attention back to the present and peered into her shimmering eyes.  “I want to see my mama,” she told him very matter-of-factly.

     “Your mama’s not feeling all too well buttercup."  Austin skillfully balanced himself with half of his weight on one crutch and the other half holding onto Libby. "You see that big band aid on her head?"  He waited for her to look over at Jade and nod before continuing.  “It’s given her a really bad head ache.  We should probably let her rest,” he said at her ear.

     The look on Libby’s face became stubborn.  She held her hands out to Jade.  “I want my mama,” she cried louder. 

     Jade stared at the little girl.  She felt so bad for her.  Her heart wrenching cries pulled at her. When she held out her hands and continued to call for her, calling her mama, she couldn’t take it anymore.  How do you tell a little girl like that says you are her mother, that you don't remember her.  The child wailed again and Jade pressed her hands to her ears.  She couldn't face her any longer, it hurt too damn much. “Please,” she begged, “I can’t do this right now.  I can’t handle it.”

     Austin took a little hop backwards and held Libby closer to him.  She was starting to get frantic again.  “Ssh,” he murmured.  “It’s alright Libby; let's let your mama get some rest tonight and we’ll come back and see if she is feeling any better tomorrow, okay?”

     “No!” She squealed. “No!  No!  No!” She brought her little hand up and smacked Austin square in the nose.  “Mama!  Mama!, I want my Mama!” she continued to wail.  Her rounded face was turning red and tears now streamed freely down her cheeks.

     Jade snapped.  She couldn’t handle it anymore.  “God damn it!” she screamed out, effectively shutting up everyone in the room.  “Everyone out!  Get out of my room now!”

      “Jade, calm down honey.” Oliver walked around to the side of her bed and tried to grab for her hand.

     She jerked away from him, breathing heavily.  “Don’t touch me,” she warned, her eyes glinting hard.  “Don’t you dare touch me.” 

     Oliver ignored her, and reached for her hand again.  “Jade, it’s alright.  No one here is going to hurt you.  I promise you that.  We only want to help you.”

     Jade felt completely out of control.  She wasn’t even sure of whom she really was, she didn’t know who any of these people standing in her room were, and they were all talking about her and not to her, the little girl wouldn’t quit crying….. she just couldn’t take it  anymore.  Without thinking about it, she balled up her free hand in a tight handed fist and reared it back, before bringing it forward and taking a weak punch at the man that was determined to hold her hand.  “I told you to get away from me!” She bit out angrily.

     Taken by surprise, Oliver stumbled backwards.  For the longest minute Oliver and Jade just stared at each other. 

     “Austin,” Oliver finally spoke, breaking up the terse silence, “Why don’t you take Libby downstairs for a hot chocolate while Jade and I have a little talk.”

     “I want my mommy,” Libby cried out once more, this time her demand lacked the same feverish fervor that her earlier demands had infused.

     Austin shifted Libby so that her head rested on his shoulder and more of his weight was put on the single crutch he was using. Libby was obviously still in distress and he wasn’t sure if he should be taking her away from Jade quite yet, not until he could at least convince her that her mother wasn’t really herself right now. “I’m not so sure that’s a good idea Oliver.”

      “Austin, I didn’t ask for your opinion.”  His gaze stayed locked with Jades.  “Please, for once- don't argue with me and just take Libby outside- now.”

     He glanced over at Jade, and for a second there, he thought about arguing with Oliver.  But when Libby’s hands encircled his neck and she buried her face in his shirt, he thought better of it. 

     He knew what he had to do.  He had to think about what was best for everyone, not just Jade and not just Libby.  Maneuvering himself awkwardly around, he limped by the doctor, nodded in acknowledgement and headed out of the room.  He had no idea what the future held for any of them at this point.  All he could do was deal with the moment. 

     Right now, in this lone moment, he held the most precious little girl in his arms and her whole world was crumbling around her, the worst of it being that she was too young to even understand why.

     The only thing that Austin was certain of was that this small child resting in his arms needed him.  And damn it all to hell, he was going to do whatever he had to do to be there for her.  Somehow, some way, he would find a way to make her world right again- or else he’d die trying.    

     Oliver listened to the sound of the door as it closed behind Austin and Libby’s departure.  His eyes stayed locked with Jade’s the entire time and he was consciously aware of the doctor standing only feet behind him.

     Reaching out to the side of him, he grabbed the plastic chair that was nestled in the corner and dragged it over beside the bed.  Still studiously holding Jade's gaze, he sat down in the chair and took one of her hands in his, wrapping his fingers around her warmth.  She instantly tried to pull back from him and Oliver held tight, warning her with his eyes.  When he spoke his voice was low and it was filled with authority.  “I want you to listen for just a minute Jade-”

     She opened her mouth, ready to protest when he held up his hand.  “Hear me out first,” Oliver implored in that same no-nonsense voice and then seeing her eyes go wide, he softened his tone and added a subtle, “please.”

     Her lips flattened into a grim line, but she decidedly settled back on her pillow and waited expectantly for Oliver to go on.  She wasn't sure what he was going to say to her and right now, she wasn’t even all too sure if she even wanted to listen.  She was reeling and left entirely too confused over everything that has occurred in the last hour.  Waking up and not realizing where she was or how she got there, or even who she was had been hard enough to deal with.  And then to have these people come in, people with nameless faces and people that she no inkling about who they were, and then there was that poor child that broke her heart.....

     Her chest squeezed as she remembered how upset the little one had been.  She wanted her mommy, And she was supposed to be that girls mommy but for the life of her, Jade couldn’t remember her at all.  How could a mother not even remember her own child?

     “Oh Jade,” Oliver leaned over and wiped the tear that had slithered down her cheek.  “Don’t cry baby.  I know this seems overwhelming but we’re going to get you through this.  You may not remember anything right now, but maybe tomorrow or even the next day.  However long it takes, we’re going to be here to help you, okay?”

     Jade felt the weight of everything crashing in on her.  She watched Oliver through misty eyes and a sob broke from her chest.  She covered her mouth with her free hand. “That poor child,” she cried.  “What is going to happen to her?”

     Oliver squeezed her hand.  “Ssh," he tried to soothe her, "she’ll be taken care of Jade.  I’ll make sure of that.  Listen, baby her name is Libby and she is five years old, she's your daughter and you're all she has.”

     Jade started to shake her head, she didn’t want to hear anymore tonight.  She just couldn’t deal with it. It was too much. 

     “Jade,” Oliver said calmly, gently squeezing her hand.  “Stop, and come back to me."  He tried to grab her chin and pull her gaze back to him but she continued to fight him. "I need you to listen to me now Jade!  This is important.”

     “No! I can’t do this.” Jade loudly exclaimed, all the pent up emotion pouring out of her in that one statement.

    “Jade,” Oliver said again, infusing authority in his tone once more.  “Yes. You. Can.” He carefully enunciated each word.  “Now open your eyes and look at me.”

     Her tears continued.  Jade couldn’t control them any longer.  Her breathing was becoming labored and the heart monitor began to beep wildly beside of her.

     “Sir,” the doctor that had tried to stay quiet up to this point, appeared on the other side of the bed.  He had a needle in his hand and inserted something into Jade’s IV.  “I’m going to have to ask you to leave sir.”

     Oliver turned to the doctor, his eyes firing with frustration.  “I’m not done yet,” he argued.

     The doctor pulled the needle from the IV and Jade’s cries immediately quieted.  “Yes, you are,” he told him very matter-of-factly.  “My one and only concern is my patient.  She is under a tremendous amount of stress right now and I will not have you upsetting her any further.”

     “I know that, Oliver snapped, lowering his voice.  “But I just need her to understand about that little girl that only minutes ago left this room in tears.  She doesn't understand why her mama was looking at her the way that Jade was.  She can't rationalize why her mommy doesn't remember her.”

     “It can wait until tomorrow,” the doctor pushed.  “As you can see, my patient is in no state to listen to you right now.”

     Oliver turned back to Jade and noticed that her eyes were closed and she was out cold. Traces of her tears still lingered on her cheeks.  Lying there in that white bed, with the gauze wrapped around her head, she looked so small and so pale to him.  He struggled ardently with the reality of what had been just a few hours ago when he had first arrived at her house, set on taking out his girls and proposing to her and then the reality of what is now.  Jade just lying here like this, clueless as to who anyone was or even who she was for that matter.        

     “You can come back tomorrow,” the doctor interrupted, "and we’ll see if there is any change.  There is nothing more that you can do here tonight sir.”

     Oliver knew the doctor was right but he didn’t want to let go of Jade’s hand.  It felt so soft and so familiar to him.  “Can I just sit here for a few minutes longer?” he asked the doctor, not turning away from Jade.  “I won’t bother her sleep.  I just want to sit here a minute.”

     The doctor was reluctant but the pain that he had witnessed between all four of these people had touched him deeply.  “Five minutes,” he told him, “but then I want you to leave so she can rest.”

     Oliver nodded and after half a heartbeat, he heard the doctors footsteps as he shuffled away, eventually followed by the sound of the door opening and closing again.  He turned his full attention back to the sleeping Jade and brought her knuckles up to his mouth, lightly kissing each and every one of the of them.  “Oh baby,” he whispered against her soft skin, “Why did this have to happen?” he asked.

      He sat there a moment longer, watching her her eyes flutter and wondered if she was having sweet dreams.  He traced the back of her hand with this thumb when he felt his phone vibrate in his pocket.  Shifting, he pulled his phone out of his pocket and brought up to his ear.  "Sheriff Humphrey," he whispered low into the phone.

     "Oliver," Taylor said, "I know you have a lot going on but we really need you back here, like pronto.  All hell is breaking loose.  There are more injuries than our hospital staff can handle, I have looting going on down town and people complaining because the roads are blocked and they can't get anywhere.  I'm only one person man."

     Oliver swallowed.  He knew he needed to be back home.  There was no way that Taylor could handle this all on his own.  Their town had just been shredded apart.  He glanced sadly over at Jade again hating to leave her but knew that there just wasn't any choice in the matter.  "I'm on my way," he said curtly into the phone and without waiting for a response, he pressed the button to end the call.  

     Standing up, he pressed a chaste kiss to Jade's lips.  "I'll be back tomorrow," he mumbled and felt the pressure in his chest, squeeze his lungs as he thought of the road ahead.  "I promise."   He placed the hand that he had been reverently holding onto beside her sleeping body and gave her one last wistful look before heading out the door.  

     He had to make one quick stop down in the cafeteria to pick up Libby and then he would head back to town.  He figured Libby could stay with his secretary for the night while he dealt with damage control and tomorrow they would both come back, and God willing, it would be a better day.

     This was just a bump in the road, he told himself. They would all get through this somehow.  One way or the other, he would find a way to help her remember.  He just had to, not only for himself, but for Libby's sake too.  That little girl needed her mama and he would move mountains if he had to in order to bring the two of them back together again because he had not only fallen for Jade, he'd also fallen head over heels for the little girl too.