5. Allison

I smiledat James as we exchanged vows; it was strange that we were getting married while I was confined to a hospital bed with James sitting beside me. The emotions overwhelmed me, and I found myself continually wiping my eyes. I still didn't understand why we weren't married and why James had my ring in his pocket.

The ceremony passed swiftly, and exhaustion took over as soon as it ended. I fell asleep, holding James's hand. When I woke up, I thought I was alone until I saw movement by the window, and James smiled and walked to me.

"I'm sorry I went to sleep right after the ceremony," I said, smiling.

"We are married, that's all that matters. We'll spend the rest of our lives together and maybe have a couple of children in a few years. I love you more than anything; I always have, and that will never change." James leaned down and kissed me. "We need to get you better so you can go home, and we can start our married life together."

"I feel like something important is missing from my memory, and I don't know why I can't remember. I hope my memory comes back soon," I said, watching him for any hint about why we weren't already married.

"It will just take time, but your memory will return gradually. Remember what Gordon said. It's better to take baby steps right now. Do you want me to pack some of your belongings for you and take them home with me?"

"Yes, please. Do you know how long I have to stay here?"

"Gordon said at least another week. Your body is still healing from those bullets slamming into you."

"That's terrifying. Were there others injured?" I asked, a chill spreading over my body.

"Yes, seven people were shot, and sadly, two lost their lives," James explained.

"That's horrible. I wonder if I knew them?" I murmured, looking at James.

"One was a nurse, and the other was a man visiting his wife."

"Oh my God, that's so sad," I looked at James, now my husband; I felt like I barely knew him. "Why does everyone call you Ghost?" I asked.

"That's my Delta Force name. After leaving the Marines, we formed a high-security business. We rescue and guard people who need us. We are the Delta Force Guardians. Our names stuck from our Military days. It's just what everyone calls me," James explained.

"Why Ghost?" I pressed further.

"It means my swiftness; you won't know I'm there until it's too late," James replied with a smirk.

"You'll have to catch me up on everything that has happened these past six years," I said as he leaned over and kissed me. Did you join after we didn't get married?

"I didn't join immediately because I wanted to see if you would change your mind."

"I must have been foolish," I admitted, with tears on the verge of falling.

"You were never foolish. I need to run a few errands. Some of your old college friends are going to stop by. If you don't want company, I can inform the front desk," James offered.

"Why did you wait all these years for me?" I inquired.

"Because I love you," James replied simply.

"I love you too. Do I know the friends who are coming to visit me?" I asked, seeking clarity. I couldn't recall anyone from college with whom I became close friends. I had all of my friends from the mountain.

"They're from your college days. I'm not sure if you've kept in touch," James replied, leaning in for another kiss. "I'll be back in a couple of hours."

"Don't worry about me. I want you to sleep in your own bed tonight. You don't need to stay at the hospital with me. I'm a big girl, and I'll be fine. How old am I, by the way?" I chuckled.

James flashed me a charming grin. "You're thirty-four," he replied, leaving me momentarily stunned. I couldn't believe I was thirty-four.

"Thirty-four? Wow. We better start having those babies soon before I'm too old to keep up with them," I joked, the reality sinking in.

James burst into laughter. "We'll start trying as soon as you're out of the hospital," James assured me.

"I can't wait, even though I feel like it was a few days ago that we made love. It was really a long time ago. I'm sorry, I was such an ass; I don't know how you can ever forgive me for doing this to us."

"Sweetheart, let's not think about us not being together anymore. We are together now, and that's all that matters," he said, planting another kiss on my lips. "I love you. I will be back soon."

I nodded and smiled. "I love you too." As drowsiness crept over me, three familiar faces entered the room, and I greeted them with a tired smile.

"Allison, I can't believe what happened to you. It's unbelievable that the Russian Mafia shot you. Thank goodness James was there. So, you and James are back together?" one of them exclaimed.

"Yes, we are married now. I don't remember the shooting or much else," I confessed. I was surprised to see these girls. We weren't exactly close, just acquaintances.

"Then you don't remember when Jan paid that drunk girl to crawl into bed with James because she wanted to cause trouble for you two. Do you remember I told you about what she did?"

"No, I don't recall any of that. How immature," I remarked, puzzled. "Who's Jan? Does she live nearby? How does she know James?"

"You brought him to a party, and she became obsessed with him. We told her she was making a fool of herself. It's better that you don't remember. I think that's what broke the two of you up. I didn't realize you were back together."

"I will always trust James," I said, shrugging it off.

"She moved away a few years ago. She calls me occasionally; she called me the other day because she saw what happened on the television and wanted to know how you were doing. She said she feels like a jerk for what she did."

"She should; I can't believe someone would do something like that. How did she talk the other woman into doing something like that?"

"Money. Money makes people do anything. She gave her a thousand dollars, and the girl passed out as soon as she got in bed. Jan said she called you and told you to go see what your boyfriend is doing." I could tell this woman was enjoying telling me this stuff, but the other two looked like they wanted to shut her up but didn't know what to say.

I looked at the other two and smiled. "I'm sorry, but I'm feeling quite exhausted. I'd love to catch up but can barely keep my eyes open."

"We understand completely. We'll visit again after you are discharged. I'm sorry this happened to you. I hope you get better soon," another said, I remembered that her name was Tina.

Once alone, I dialed my older brother, Ryan. "I know I'm thirty-four and should have it all figured out, but I need to talk. I still feel like I'm twenty-seven. Some visitors from college mentioned something about James. Did their accusations really break us up?"

"What did they say?" Ryan inquired.

"She said that Jan, this other person I barely know, paid a drunk girl to get in bed naked with James, and then she called and told me I need to see what my boyfriend does when I'm not with him. Is that why we weren't together? Was I so damn stupid that I didn't believe James when he told me he didn't know her or how she got there?"

"I think you need to reconsider your circle of friends. Why not talk to Ghost?" Ryan suggested.

"Is that what broke us up?"

"Yes, you said Ghost strayed, and you never forgave him."

"Why would I do that? I know he would never cheat on me. I don't understand."

"Why don't you rest? When you feel better, you may understand why you did what you did. Worrying about it now will do no good."

"I know. I would give anything to turn the clock back seven years, and this would all disappear. Ghost is my husband now; I'll talk to him when he returns. Thank you for always being there for me, Ryan. Have I ever thanked you for raising me?"

"Hey, that's what big brothers are for; we take care of our little sisters. We love you, Allison. Focus on getting better; everything will fall into place once your memory returns," Ryan reassured me before we ended the call.

When I woke up, James was lying next to me, asleep. I smiled and gazed at his beautiful face. I've loved James Belmont since I was ten and he was thirteen. I kept that secret to myself until I turned sixteen and finally told James how I felt about him. I'll never forget what he told me. He said he already knew that because he felt the same, and when I turned eighteen, we would be together. When I turned eighteen, he took me to dinner, and we celebrated all night. Our love was unbreakable; that's what I always thought. He opened his eyes and smiled. "How long have you been watching me sleep?"

"Only a few minutes, you weren't even snoring. Have I ever told you I'm jealous of your beautiful eyelashes?"

He chuckled. "Yes, you have, and I've told you not to talk about my girly eyelashes."

"There isn't one thing on you that is girly. You, my handsome husband, are all male, and I can't wait to go home with you so you can prove me right," he pulled me to him and kissed me.

"Excuse me, but I need to check my patient," Gordon said, raising his eyebrows. I giggled, and James chuckled.

"Sorry, I forgot where we were," James said, his ears had turned red. I kissed him once more before he climbed out of my bed.