Chapter 3

Elizabeth was ready to go home, she just needed Tony's signature. Audrey wanted to take the day off, but Elizabeth told her she was ok by herself. Besides, Lucky was coming to pick her up and take her to the Hardy house. She was sitting on her bed, waiting for him.

The last few days she had seen more of Lucky than she did her own grandmother. He was showing up at the beginning of visiting hours, and was leaving at night after his aunt threw him out at least 5 times.

On the night that linked Friday to Saturday, Lucky waited until most of the nurses were busy and snuck in her room around 11 PM. She had told him she was a little scared to go into a world she didn't know, meeting people who knew her, being looked at like a freak show every time she wouldn't remember a face. He spent the night with her, talking about the people she might meet. Every time a nurse would come in her room, Lucky quickly hid under the bed. When Elizabeth asked him how he got so quick, he told her about all the times he had to do it when Audrey would come in her room last year. She was laughing so hard, that the sun came up before she had a chance to see the time go by. Lucky left during the shift change, went home to shower and change. He was supposed to be back by now, Elizabeth was wondering what was keeping him.

Lucky was swearing at the guy in the car in front of him. He was slower than a turtle, making him late. He was glad Elizabeth was going home today. Maybe, being in a house she knew and loved, would get her memory working again. Even though he missed the old Elizabeth, he was getting to like the "new" one too. She was more outspoken, like she was before the rape. He couldn't remember all the dirty jokes she told him, and all the things she said.

Elizabeth finally saw him running in her room, and she sighed of relief. Why? She asked herself, he is just a friend. But she knew why. She was afraid he would bail out on her like everybody else in her life. He kissed her on the cheek, but she knew he was dying for her mouth. Liz was feeling guilty for him to love her so much, but she couldn't return the feelings. Not yet, maybe never. He was attractive, she really liked him that way, but she didn't want to allow herself to fall for him. Sure, Audrey told her that Lucky would do anything for her, that she was his princess, but she didn't want to get hurt. After all, she didn't know him, and she didn't know if she could trust him with her heart.

"-Ready to go home?

-As ready as I'll ever be"

Lucky took her bag in one hand, took her hand with the other, and they walked out of her room, to seek Tony. Bobbie saw Elizabeth and told her she was going out of the hospital in a wheel chair, and it horrified her. Lucky said he would push her and she smiled at him. He always knew what to say to make her feel better.

Lucky helped get into Audrey's house, and showed her the room that was hers. Elizabeth was looking at her stuff, her clothes, and couldn't believe what she was wearing now. Long pants? No tank tops? No shorts? No bikinis? What happened to make her change so much? She thought.

Lucky told her about her life again, but she had the feeling something was missing. Something important he didn't want her to know. He told her about her job, and she decided to go see this Tammy person to see if she could still have it, even though she wasn't that Elizabeth anymore. Lucky told her she was really fond her his aunt Ruby, who died in January of that year. The restaurant, Kelly's, went to Lucky's father and his aunt Bobbie, and Luke gave the managing job to an old friend of his, Tammy. Elizabeth had the feeling that Lucky was very fond of Tammy too, and a feeling of jealousy went through her spine. She told herself to stop that, it wasn't her business. After all, they talked about "breaking up" when she was in the hospital. Lucky asked her if she preferred they were not "together" anymore, and she said yes, that it wasn't fair for him to stay in the relationship. So why was she jealous of a woman she didn't even knew?

They went downstairs to fix something to eat, and Lucky told her about their "mess hall", which included brownies, peanut butter and banana sandwiches, ribs, cheese fries, popcorn, pizza, McPherson's chocolate chip cookies with a pitcher of milk, hot fudge sundaes and other delicious stuff. He told her he made one mean pasta dish, and she ordered him to cook some.

When Audrey got home, Elizabeth was sleeping in her old bed, and Lucky was sitting on a chair by her side. He was gently stroking her hair and smiled when he saw Audrey. She whispered she wanted to talk to him for a minute and he followed her downstairs.

"-Lucky I want to thank you again for everything you are doing for my Elizabeth

-I'm not doing anything special Mrs. Hardy, I am just helping out a dear friend.

-Lucky, I know how much this must be hard for you, with Elizabeth not remembering you and the love I know she still has for you. I just want you to know that I am here if you need to talk

-Thank you Mrs. Hardy, for everything you did and still do for me

-Could you do me a favor?

-Anything

-Lose the Mrs Hardy already? After everything we've been through, you can call me Audrey. If anyone earned the right to do so, it's you."

Lucky smiled at her and Audrey saw, once again, why Elizabeth loved him so much. He was so gentle, so full of love, reminded her of Steve.

"-How come you are still here if she is sleeping? Oh I'm sorry, that is a silly question, you were checking up on her right?

-Well, I left by the front door, and got back in by the window. I can't just stop worrying about her you know? I mean, not because she doesn't remember, that she erased our relationship from her mind, that I can do it too.

-Lucky, I know it is hard, but give her time. She will love you again, how could she not? You know Lucky, if I was 30 or 40 years younger I would fight her to the death for you"

Lucky blushed at her comment, and got up. Audrey hugged him for a while, and he left. On his way home, he cried. This was the hardest thing he had ever done. How do you let go of the love of your life? He had to, because the more time passed, the more he was sure she wouldn't get her memory back, like Jason never did. What then? Jason was engaged to Keesha when he had his accident, and he never remembered his love for her, and Lucky had the feeling Elizabeth would never remember it either. She was spending time with him out of gratitude maybe, friendship if he was lucky, but they would never go back to where they were before, and that was eating him alive. He remembered the times when she got him to be closer to Nikolas, and he thought his brother would be the best person to talk to about this. He got up and headed to Windermere.

Nikolas was sitting at the table, playing a game of cards with Emily. Ever since she walked in on him and Katherine, Nikolas realized he was indeed, in love with her. He never had a friend before so he confused his friendship for her with love. Emily smiled when she saw Lucky, and Nikolas shook his hand.

"-What's up man? Asked Lucky

-You tell me, said Nikolas, what brings you here? Isn't Elizabeth home?

-Yeah she is, I just come from there. I guess, I don't know, am I intruding?

-Never! Said Emily. I'm sorry Lucky, you must be going through hell.

-Well, I've been to hell, but it didn't hurt as much"

Unable to stop them, tears started to fall down Lucky's face. Emily got up and took him in her arms. Nikolas' heart was breaking for his brother. He loved Elizabeth so much, this must be just unbearable for him. Lucky got away from Emily's embrace, saying he was OK, he just didn't want to be alone. He sat down and played some cards with them. When Emily left, a few hours later, Nikolas told Lucky he could finally say what was on his mind.

"-Nothing special, really, I was just going crazy in my room, is that a bad thing?

-No, I'm glad you came man. We are finally able to trust each other, that is just so great. So spill it."

Lucky got on his knees, in front of Nikolas' wheelchair. He didn't know where to start, so he pulled a little box out of his pocket and gave it to his brother. Nikolas opened it and saw the most beautiful ring sitting on a pillow of satin.

"-Oh My God! Nikolas said

-It was supposed to be our special night Nikolas. A double date, diner, movie, and then come back to my apartment and pop the question. I even had my speech ready, want to hear it? Lucky said, his voice trembling

-Lucky, I'd love to hear it, but if you don't feel comfortable talking about it...

-No, I need to talk about it. Do you mind?

-No, go ahead."

Lucky wiped a single tear from his eye and looked at his brother. His lower lip was trembling and he took a deep breath.

"-I never thought I'd find the same kind of love I thought my parents had. Unconditional. I never knew I was incomplete until I met you. I grew up on the run, and I always thought I'd stay alone for the rest of my life but now, I can't imagine going on without you. I know you promise to spend your life with me, but that is not enough anymore. I need to know you will be beside me when I wake up, I need to kiss you good night, I need to feel your body next to mine, protecting me as I sleep. You are the best part of me, and I ache when you are not holding me. Every breath I take is full of love for you, every time my heart beats is for you. I don't want to live without you, and I don't want to have to. Elizabeth, will you be my wife and stop this torture I am living when I'm without you?"

Lucky was crying, and Nikolas was too. He knew his brother was going through probably the hardest time of his life, but he never thought Lucky was hurting that much. At first, Lucky was confidant that he could get Elizabeth to love him again, he told his brother so, but it was clear now, as sobs were moving his shoulders, that he didn't believe that anymore. Lucky was looking at the floor, both his hands in his face, when Nikolas reached out and put his hand on his little brother's shoulder. Lucky looked at him, his eyes all red and his cheeks all wet. Nikolas' hand took his neck and got him closer, getting Lucky's head to rest on his shoulder, with his brother's arms holding him like his life depended on it, crying all the strength he had left.