Seeing Red (The Dark Love Series) (23 page)

             
“Nice to see you, Mrs. McKay,” Andrew says politely. He's a gentleman. That's good.

             
“My fingers are crossed for you both,” Ali shouts as we walk outside.

* * * *

All the windows are down, and my hair is flying dramatically in every direction. It's such a beautiful day out. The sun is beaming brightly, and the air is warm. I take a deep breath and smell the gentle warm air coming through my window. I smile. I look over at Andrew and he's watching the road
tentatively.
He's gorgeous. How did I get a guy like him to fall so madly in love with me? I smile again. I must have done something right.

             
We both sit in silence. It's not awkward today, it feels somewhat normal.
His hand reaches for the stereo, and he hits play. Music starts blasting out of the speakers.
I smile at the song “Love Song” by The Cure. I absolutely love it. How did he know? Oh, wait. Nevermind.

             
“I love this song,” I tell him with a smile on my face.

             
“I know, it's our song,” Andrew confirms. He looks at me and smiles slightly. He looks so heartbroken.

             
We pull into the Anderson's driveway. I feel so nervous and overwhelmed. This is our only hope. This is the only chance we have at getting my memory back.

             
Andrew opens my door quickly. “Thank you,” I say, and he smiles at me. Even through his smile, I can see his fears, his sadness.

             
I climb the stairs of the front porch and Andrew knocks twice. I feel sweat forming on my hands. I immediately wipe it away on my jeans.

             
The door opens, and it's Ann, the grandmother. “Can I help you?”

             
“Ma'am, would you give us a few minutes of your time?” Andrew asks desperately.

             
Ann stands there for a moment and contemplates. She nods her head. “Come on in.” She motions us to have a seat on the couch. “Tea?”

             
“No, thank you, ma'am,” Andrew replies.

             
I shake my head. “Thank you anyway.” I do love tea, but I just want to get this over with.

             
Andrew starts explaning everything that happened the past few days. Worry flashes on Ann's face. “I'm sorry to hear that.”

             
“Is there any way we could get her memory back? Is there some sort of spell of anything?” Andrew asks.

             
Ann takes a deep breath. “
The brain can't remember what has been erased. Her memories are not gone, they're just hidden, deeply hidden in her brain.”

             
"Is there a chance we can get her memories back? Any chance at all? Even if it's one percent. I need that one percent to keep me fighting for her memories, for us."

             
“Andrew, yes, there is a chance, but it's nearly impossible.”

             
“What do I have to do? Just tell me. I will do whatever it takes,” Andrew pleads, begging for her advice.

             
“You have to bring her memories back from the darkness,” Ann answers. “Her brain has to fight for the memories to come back. Like I said, it's nearly impossible.”

             
“How do I do that?”

             
“Continue to love her. Let her go about her normal routine. Then, maybe, if it's right, we can do a spell that could help, but we can't do it unless she starts to remember something, any memory of you. Other than that, her memories won't come back.”

             
“I'll do whatever it takes,” Andrew states.

             
“Listen, I'm not saying it's not possible, but I want you both to be ready for disappointment. This is traumatic, even for the brain, to recover from. It's not going to be easy, it's going to take a lot of time and effort,” Ann informs us.

             
“How long will it take?” I ask.

             
“It's hard to say. It could take days, weeks, months, years. It might not even work.

I want you both to really be ready for that,” Ann says. She looks like she feels sorry for us. I can hear the sympathy in her voice.

              I look at Andrew and see sadness sweep across his face, but I also see a tint of hope in there. “We can do this,” Andrew says. His eyes are filling with tears. “We have to do this.”

* * * *

The ride home from the Anderson’s house is quiet. I was expecting that. I think we're both trying to let Ann's advice sink in. It's quite simple, actually. Either I will remember, or I won't, that's the way it is. There is a possibility that my memories can come back. At least I have that much knowledge, that much hope.

             
Andrew pulls into my driveway. I see the living room lights on. My mom's probably watching a movie or cleaning. I'm surprised I don't see her peaking out the windows waiting for me to return. She was just as anxious as I was about finding out if I would get my memory back.

             
The passenger door opens. It seems Andrew always opens the door for me. I really love it.

             
I get out of his car, and we both start walking to my front door. I climb the three steps, and just as I'm about to open the door, Andrew starts to speak. “I'm not going to give up on us.”

             
I turn around and stare into his eyes. “I really hope you don't.”

             
Tears start to stream down his face. “I promise you on everything I love, I won't give up on us. I love you, Nina. I know you can't remember me, or us, but I love you so much. I've never loved anyone as much as I love you. You're my reason, my hope, my heart. One day, one day you will remember me, and that will be the second best day of my whole life, because the first was the day I laid eyes on you.”

             
Tears are welling up in my eyes. I've never felt this before, this happiness. Is he the reason for this emotion? “I wish I could remember you, Andrew. I wish I could remember the way I loved you.” Tears fall down my face faster. “I don't know how I got so lucky to have someone like you love someone like me.”

             
Andrew looks completely broken. “I'm the lucky one. I'm lucky to be graced by your presence.”

             
“I pray that the day comes that I can see our memories flash before my eyes.”

             
“I pray that day comes too, Nina. Time will tell. I'll be here no matter what. If I have to, I will try to make you fall in love with me all over again. Whatever it takes. I'm not going to lose you. You're to special too me, love,” Andrew confesses.

             
“You seem like such an easy person to love,” I admit.

             
A smile spreads across Andrew's face. “I love you, now and forever.” He walks toward me and I close my eyes as he kisses me so gently on my cheek. Goosebumps cover my body, and I shiver.

             
I open my eyes as Andrew starts to walk away. He gets into his car and drives off. I feel like I can't move. I feel so empty, so hurt, so sad.

             
Ali opens the front door. “I know I shouldn't be eavesdropping, but that was so incredibly sweet.” I face her and burst into tears. I'm crying like I've never cried before. “It's okay, sweetie. Everything is going to be okay.”

             
“Why did this have to happen to me? Why?” I yell. “He loves me so much. He loves me more than I thought one person could love another. He was my happiness, and now I feel so empty. I know something is missing, I can feel it.”

             
“Baby, I know. I feel so helpless. I wish I could take your pain away. I wish there was something I could do to help you. You just have to stay strong, honey. Just stay strong.”

             
“I know Andrew will find a way to bring my memories back. I know he won't give up on me,” I continue to cry.

Chapter 27

Reunion

Dear Diary,

             
I woke up today feeling sick to my stomach. Evil always finds a way to my front door. Life would be so much simpler if I could just live in peace. I love having the ability to be able to heal, but sometimes I wish I was average and normal like every other teenage girl in Scarlett Hills.

             
I had a breakdown last night. Luckily, my mom was there. I would have been completely lost without her. She comforted me until I fell asleep. What would I do without an amazing mom like her? I have to do something nice for her today. I want her to know how much I appreciate her. I want her to feel true happiness. I have the best idea.

Love, Nina

* * * *

I leap out of my bed and start to put clothes on. I look into the mirror and
see that my hair's a disaster, so I throw it up and put a headband in.
I slip my Vans on, and grab my keys. I run down the stairs, and find my mom in the kitchen. “Whatcha doing, sweetheart? Why are you in such a hurry?”

             
Shit. What should I tell her? Think quickly. “I have to meet Kali and work on our homework together. I completely forgot,” I lie.

             
Ali stares at me for a few seconds. “Okay, sweetie. Be safe. I love you.”

             
“I love you too, mom!”

             
I rush out the door and get into my car. I turn the key and the engine roars to life. I start driving to the Madsen residence. It's time for my sister to come home.

* * * *

I drive down the rocky, dirt road to the Madsen house. I'm pretty sure Caroline is here, she has nowhere else to go. It's time for her to come home to her family. I can't wait to see my mother's face when I walk through the front door with Caroline. They haven't seen each other in seven months. It will be one of the best days, for all of us.

             
I turn my car off and walk to the front door. Should I knock or just go inside? I decide to knock. William answers the door instantly. “Hey, Nina. Why are you knocking? Come on in.”

             
“That's not
necessary, I'm just
looking for my sister,” I tell him.

             
“It's okay, you can come in. She's in our room.”

             
I nod my head and make my way inside the house. I see Andrew sitting on the couch in front of a blazing fire. He looks at me and stands. “Nina, how are you?”

             
“I'm doing good. I'm looking for my sister,” I stutter.

             
“Nina!” Caroline yells. “Hey, Sissy. What are you doing here?”

             
I greet her with a hug and immediately get to my point. “It's time for you to come home.”

             
Caroline looks shocked. Her eyes grow big. “Are you sure it's a good time for that? Have you talked to mom about it? Does she even know I'm back?”

             
“Calm down, it's going to be fine. Mom will be so happy to have you back. We need our family back together,” I say with a smile.

             
Caroline smiles back. “If you think it's time, then I agree. I'll go get some of my things.” I nod my head. Well, that was easy. I thought it was going to be much harder than that.

* * * *

As we drive home, I can tell that Caroline is getting anxious thinking about the reunion with our mother. It's been seven long and miserable months since they've seen each other. I wonder how Ali is going to react when she sees Caroline's bright face walk through the door. I bet she will be overjoyed.

              I pull into the driveway and turn my car off. I look over at Lynns and she's tapping her fingers against the handle on the passenger door. “Ready?”

             
She looks over at me nervously. “I think so.”

             
I smile at her and nod. “Let's go.”

             
We get out of my car and start walking toward the front door. Caroline stops. “Are you sure she's going to be okay with this? Since I'm a,” Caroline pauses, “vampire.”