Broken Memories

The door swiftly pushed open, revealing a short, robust nurse who swifly strolled into the room, her eyes widening as they fell on the young woman.

"Miss Kaylee! You're awake!" The nurse sang, walking over while bearing a large smile. Her gaze floated to the IV in the floor, making her smile flicker as she stopped. "Dear, I know it isn't pleasant, but you have to leave your IV alone," she sighed, bending down to retrieve it.

The young woman couldn't help but to tense up as the nurse fixed the IV and began checking her vitals. "Kaylee?" She whispered, the name not feeling right on her tongue.

"Of course, hun. How are you feeling?"

Kaylee looked down at her hands nervously, staying silent for a few moments. "I don't know. I can't remember anything," she said and paused again. "What happened to me?"

The nurse frowned a little, looking up from her clipboard. "You fainted just after came to us. You didn't have any identification on you, and you were out before we could ask any questions. But don't you worry. You've got some visitors who are claiming you!" She ended with a kind smile.

Lightly biting her lip, Kaylee squeezed her hands together. "Visitors? How do you know--" she hesitated, unsure how to phrase it. "That I belong to them?"

She received a light pat on her head from the nurse and winced immediately. "They're currently confirming their identities and their relation to you right now," the nurse reassured her with a smile as she hung the clipboard at the foot board of Kaylee's bed. "Don't you worry, doll. We'll make sure you're safe and taken care of!"

Before Kaylee could protest, the nurse slipped out of the room while humming a familiar ditty. Her mind was ablaze with different thoughts, different ideas, of what had happened to her and what would happen next. Who would possibly be here to see me? She thought to herself, rubbing her wrists anxiously. My parents? Do I even have parents? Maybe I live on my own. She tensed a little, sitting still as she mulled things over. How old even am I?

After a few worry-stricken moments, the door opened again and a young, handsome man with thick, light brown hair ran into the room and towards Kaylee, his caramel tinted eyes shinning with worry. Another man, looking to be about fifty, followed the younger man in, with another young man with bright red hair walking at his heels.

"My boo-bear!" The first man cried, tears quickly rising to his eyes as he threw his arms around Kaylee, gently rocking her from side to side.

The oldest man laughed heartily as he watched Kaylee visibly tense in the arms of the brunette. "Daniel, be easy with her."

The red-headed man scoffed as Daniel, the man with light brown hair leaned back, only to instead grasp Kaylee's hands tightly. "Kaylee?" He asked softly, his warm eyes fixated on her.

Her hands trembled in his grip. "D-do I know you?" She whispered, frightened but unable to shift her gaze away from the attractive man.

Daniel struggled to keep a frown from overtaking his lips. "Of course you do! Think boo-bear. Think," he pleaded softly, giving her hands an encouraging squeeze.

"She doesn't remember you, twit." The red-headed man hissed through his teeth.

Daniel looked back at the young man, startled, but watched as he was back-handed by the older man. His ears turned as red as his hair and his body visibly tensed as the grey eyes of the older man glared down at him. Kaylee's chest tightened as she watched, her heart aching sympathetically for the stranger.

"How dare you speak to a superior in such a fashion," the older man growled, his eyes lit with fury.

The red-headed man just gave a small nod, avoiding the gaze of those who surrounded him. "Yes, Master Gerald," he returned through his teeth.

Still dissatisfied, Gerald, the older man, lifted his head and focused on Kaylee once more, his gaze finally softening. "Daniel," he sighed. "Maybe you should talk with her for a bit? Charles and I will wait out in the lobby."

Daniel gave a small nod, looking back to Kaylee as he sat down on the edge of her bed. Gerald and Charles, the servant, quietly shifted out of the room, closing the door carefully behind them. Once they were alone, Daniel let go of Kaylee's hands and watched her closely.

"You remember nothing? Not even me?" He asked softly, pain of the realization briefly flickering across his eyes.

"I'm sorry," she returned, her voice barely above a whisper.

Without saying a word, he brought one of his hands up to her cheeks, ever so sweetly rubbing the back of his hand against her skin. Kaylee winced at his touch however, fearful from being without any memory.

"Well," he finally sighed, trying to keep his voice soft and minimize his disappointment. "I guess I'll have help you to remember then."

Looking up at him from under her thick eyelashes, Kaylee watched as his hand fell down to the pocket of his jacket. Moving slowly and with care, he pulled out a plastic bag and ran his thumbnail through the seal to open it. His lips parted silently, drawing in air with anticipation as he reached inside the little baggy and pulled out a small ring.

"This," he whispered as he brought the ring in between their faces. "This is your ring. Your ring that I gave to you when I proposed. May I?"

Kaylee blinked in surprise as he held his free hand out towards her, wanting to place the ring on her finger. "We're married?" Was all she could muster as she stared down the beautiful pearl, set in a silver band.

A small smile slipped onto his face as her hand finally fell into his. "No," he chuckled lightly, keeping his eyes on her fingers as he slipped the ring on. "Not yet. I proposed back in May. We haven't set a date yet. We both decided we'd get married just whenever we felt like it; a ceremonious wedding wasn't really necessary."

No response came from Kaylee, but Daniel didn't push her. Instead, he let go of her hand and stood up. "Maybe its better that I let you get some rest. I'll come bac-"

"Wait."

Daniel stood still, caught comepletely by surprise. "Yes, boo-bear?"

Her gaze didn't lift from the ring, but her shoulders relaxed as her fear began to slowly ebb away. "What month is it now, if you proposed back in May?"

"Its December. December 19th to be exact."

"And, um, what is my full name?"

Daniel slowly stepped back closer to her, careful not to move too quick and lose the little trust with her he had gained. "Kaylee Lyn Hemlock, daughter to Gerald Hemlock, but betrothed to Daniel Phillip Woods."

Her gaze lifted up a little. "So that man, Gerald, was my father?"

He nodded quietly. "Correct."

"And then who was the younger man?"

Daniel's brow wrinkled a little. "Charles. He's a servant at your father's home."

Kaylee quickly shifted onto her next question, not dwelling on Daniel's response. "So, what happened to me? Why can't I remember anything?"

Almost immediately, he grasped her hands again and pulled them into his chest as he moved in closer to her. "You were attacked. You went missing. We had no idea where you were or what happened. We worried sick about you, boo-bear," he whispered quickly, his voice thick with fear.

Her eyes went wide as she drew in her breath in shock. "Attacked? Who would attack me? Why?"

He shook his head, letting his eyes shut but refusing to let go of her hands. "We don't know, but we won't let it happen again. You're going back to live with your father. You'll be safe with him."

"My father?" She repeated, her voice so low it was barely a whisper.

Daniel gave a slight nod, letting his eyes open again as he sighed and gently released her hands. "I'll stay with you, for your memories' sake, but we won't be going home until you're better and we're sure your safe."

Kaylee's mind began racing with thoughts again as she stared at Daniel, her fiance, and tried to piece together the information she had been given. "So when will I be able to leave this place?"

"In the morning! But, don't you worry. I'll be right here by your side all night unless you say otherwise."

Daniel's words actually felt comforting as Kaylee let herself lean back into her pillow again. She could feel exhaustion from the overwhelming emotions finally beginning to take over. "That, that actually sounds nice," she whispered, her lips curving into a weary smile as her heavy eyelids drifted shut. Just before she slipped out of consciousness, she felt warm hands stroking her forehead and cheek, pushing loose hairs away from her sticky face, and she felt at peace.