CHAPTER 79 - TRUE END
The first thing I remember once I had woken up was the sun's rays that were peeking through the gaps of the white blinds, hitting my face as I lay on a bed that was not mine.
Fear took over me as I attempted to sit up, however, in an instant, my head began to throb as if I had an extreme hangover. I do not remember drinking? Wait... What even happened?
Soon, my fear turned into panic and frustration as I held onto my forehead, trying to recall the events that happened before. I looked at my frail body as there were needles in my hand and in various areas of my body.
My thoughts were interrupted as a man in a white cloak/overcoat walked into the room, carrying a clipboard. A doctor.
"There's no point in trying to remember because..." He said before sighing, "You have amnesia." Once he had said those final words, I looked straight up at him.
"But- What happened? Why?" I asked to no avail, trying my hardest to remember what had happened before while looking at the doctors badge.
Francis Orlando.
"The patient is awake, it's good to have you back Dani. I will have to ask though, do you remember what happened?" He asked as I read his badge and shook my head slowly.
He sighed as he put his clipboard down.
"Ryan threw you off the balcony. I'm afraid you-" Doctor Francis continued to speak until a man entered the room, one that triggered flashes of memories in my mind, I allowed myself to be washed over by them.
"Who are you, again?" I asked quietly as I pulled off the bandages from my cheek.
I watched him turn around for a moment to only walk closer to me.
"Adam, a friend." He muttered as he looked away, I noticed the engagement ring on my finger and I couldn't remember anything.
"I'm afraid, multiple head injuries can cause permanent damage to one's memory. Adam, she may never remember who you really were again."
Our eyes locked and I couldn't tear myself away for some reason, I had a feeling that if I did, I'd be losing the most important person in my life. Next to him was a girl who sat on a chair, I couldn't recognise her but she also triggered some memories of a dog in a bar.
"Shut up. I already know." He said as he clenched his hand into a fist, I reached out for his hand and held it in silence as one of the nurses took the girl out of the room.
I sighed as I pulled him next to me, making him sit next to me and help me sit up to talk to him.
"How long was I unconscious for?" I said whilst rubbing my knuckles which had bandages on.
Adam looked at me with a hint of pity.
"Three months." He replied, "Your parents paid for your medical treatment." I looked at the paper before grabbing it in a rush.
"Thank you." I said as a wave of numbed pain overwhelms me. What happened and why- what did I do?
My thoughts were interrupted as Francis smiled before nodding.
"I'll take my leave then." Francis said, taking his clipboard with him as he adjusted his glasses.
As soon as the staff left, I looked around and realised that there were no other patients in this ward. Could this be a private hospital?
Have I been here before? The more and more I tried to remember, the more it hurt my head. Flashes of memories replayed in mind until two voices killed the deafening silence that was in the room. This was that girl's room, wasn't it?
"You're joking, right? You remember... Don't you?" He said as he started to cry, my heart clenched in my chest as the memories flooded in again.
I shook my head as I ran my fingers through his hair.
"Who are you, really?" I asked as he grabbed my hand softly.
I wiped away his tears as he breathed in slowly.
"Your fiance." He said as he looked away.
My stomach churned as I looked at my engagement ring, memories of Adam and I with my parents flooded in and so did a few others.
"Who's Ryan?" I muttered as I tried to look back on everything that I could remember.
"Leader of the Rioters. He killed himself when he threw you off the balcony." He answered blankly as he pointed to the piece of paper on my side table, "his last words."
Everything rushed back to me in an instant, I remembered everything. My father's fake death, Hoyt, Ryan and Hannah. The amendment. Tears streamed down my face as I grabbed the piece of paper from the side table and ripped it apart.
"I see." I said while Doctor Franc watching him walk in with some nurses to check my vitals.
Adam didn't say anything until the nurse spoke.
"You'll be in a wheelchair for life." She said softly as I felt a pang of pain in my chest, "life will be normal and you can get prospectics if you wish."
"People will need that money more than I will. Use the money for the prospects for the towns and for Georigies studies. And our wedding." I said quietly as Adam turned to face me in an instant, his eyes wide as he smiled before hugging me.
"You were faking it? Why you-" He said as I pressed my finger against his lips.
"I wasn't- I thought I wouldn't remember you again. That was until I saw the ring." I muttered as the nurses took the injections out of my arm and handed me some painkillers and set up the wheelchair.
They helped me into the wheelchair before Georgie ran up to me and hugged me. I almost forgot everything- I'm more than glad I didn't.
"Let's go, mom." She said as she held my hand, I couldn't help but smile when she said those words for the first time. I smiled at her before squeezing her hand and looking up at Adam as he pushed the wheelchair.
Adam handed me my certificate for my medicine degree. Georgie looked at me and hugged me tightly, not saying a word after that when we went home. We sat together just like old times and read a story.
"Do we know the ending? Does the girl finally go home and adopt the child?" She asked as I ran my fingers through her hair.
"We know the ending now." I muttered as Adam walked in with a cup of hot chocolate.
"The child is you, Georgie." He said as he sat down next to her as she started to cry.
****
A FEW MONTHS LATER - DECEMBER
I smiled as I saw all of the cameras point in our direction as everyone waited outside for us in the garden as Julie and Hannah opened the doors for me as I looked at Eagle as he stood with Adam at the aisle, waiting for me.
It was the wedding day. My heart pounded as I looked straight at Adam with the viel on my face. I could feel my palms becoming sweaty as Julie pushed the wheelchair up the aisle and looked at Eagle for a moment.
Georgie held my hand as we went down the aisle until she ran off with the other bridesmaids. Tracy was one of them, she held onto the railing as she covered her prosthetic leg with her dress.When I finally made it, Adam couldn't help but look at me. My heart raced as I sorted out his collar as always, making the audience laugh until he took off the veil.
The priest stood behind us and began his speech, after all of the vows were exchanged. The priest took a few steps back when he turned away to look at the documents we signed.
"You may now kiss the bride." He said as Adam helped me up.
My heart raced as everyone was silent. Falling isn't an option.
"Do you remember everything?" Adam muttered as he wrapped his arms around my waist and winked at the guests.
"I do." I said softly as I leaned towards him and pressed my lips against his softly.
The crowd clapped as I hugged him tightly before sitting back in the wheelchair. This is my life now.
"Thank you for everything." I said as I held his hand, "I love you."