Snippet #2554094

An hour had passed before the lights finally came back on. The backup generator had finally kicked in, which Selene very much appreciated, but she couldn’t help but think that it was too little, too late. Aubrey had nearly died thanks to that power failure - in fact, he had died. At least he didn’t remember any of that … Selene knew she would never forget.

She glanced down at Aubrey where he was sleeping peacefully in his own bed, a damp cloth on his forehead. Selene sat next to him on the bed, her legs tucked under her, her hands rubbing circles on her big belly to soothe the fussy infants in her womb. The TV was on, now that it was working, an old episode of Friends was playing. It was the only show her whole family had ever been able to agree on watching.

It was nice to feel close to her family right then, given how scattered they were. Jace was on assignment, Stacy was a hostage, Garrett and their mom were off trying to rescue her, and Koda was working management to pick up the slack. It was strange, part of her family was all over the place, but her new family was all in that room.

Aubrey stirred then, and Selene moved immediately to adjust the cool cloth on his head. He had been burning up when Shayde carried him back here, probably just his body reacting to all the stress. He seemed a lot cooler now, and so peaceful.

Selene still couldn’t process everything. So much had happened so fast. The panic, the despair, the anxiety, and finally, the joy. Aubrey’s survival was a miracle - but his memory loss was a two sided blade.

Selene didn’t know how to feel about it. A part of her was angry and frustrated; they had been through so much, so much pain and suffering, they had made so much progress, and Aubrey didn’t remember any of it.

Another part of her though … was secretly glad. Maybe she was just being nostalgic, but the idea of Aubrey not hating her anymore …. It was appealing. So when she saw Aubrey’s eyelids flutter, she knew she couldn’t bring herself to tell him the truth. At least not yet. She couldn’t bear the idea of causing him more pain.

So she made the decision to lie, just for a little while. So they could both be happy, just for a little while. “Morning sleepy head” she said, hoping he couldn’t see the tears in her eyes. She blinked them away quickly.

“I know you must be freaked out now” she went on, running her fingers gently through his hair. God, it was like going back in time. She had missed this familiarity, this intimacy. It was like a drug. “The doctors say you have amnesia from the … accident.”

“This must be a big shock” she went on, gesturing to her stomach. “I can’t believe I’m telling you I’m pregnant all over again - but yeah, they’re yours. Oh, right - it’s twins. Double shock. Sorry. You freaked out the first time I told you, if that makes you feel any better.”

“I’m sorry to drop such a bomb on you” Selene continued. “I know how rough this must be … I just, I love you so much okay? As long as you remember that … We’re set.” She leaned down then, and kissed the cloth on his head. She glanced down at her stomach briefly as she pulled back. “We’re all set.”