I love you, my flower

I love you, my flower
Alessandro
“Mr. Valante,” the doctor dragged me out of my deep thoughts.
“How is she?”
After Carrie asked that soul-crumbling question, she lost consciousness, and we rushed her to the hospital.
“We were able to stabilise her condition. But she needs intense care. We’ll be admitting and observing her for many days. While we do that, we’ll run necessary tests and take care of her to the best of our ability.”
“Will she be fine?” That was all I wished to know.
“I believe the patient will overcome this.” He glanced at the clipboard in his hands. “From the reports we were able to obtain from the patient’s previous hospital, it indicated that the patient was pregnant.”
My throat felt heavier. I pinched my neck and asked, “She… She lost the baby, didn’t she?”
He sighed. “We suspect an overdose of Diclofenac and Misoprostol. It is possible that they were regularly administered to the patient. If that turns out to be true, we’ll alert the police authorities. The culprit could likely be charged with attempted murder.”
“ But…” He urged me to ask the question I hesitated to ask. “Will she regain her memory? She doesn’t remember who I am.”
“We have to wait till she wakes up to decide that. But I suspect traumatic brain injury. It is quite normal for patients like Ms. Edwards to suffer retrograde amnesia. That’s their way of overcoming what they suffered.”
Oh… My poor Carrie.
What did they do to you?
I nodded. “Thank you, Doctor. Please take care of my wife.”
“We’ll do our best. We’ll be moving her to the room soon. A nurse will let you know when everything is settled.”
My mind couldn’t take anymore of the moment, so I quickly found a place to sit.
The image of finding Carrie lifeless in that room immediately filled my thoughts, and it dragged me to a version of hell I know I’ll never be able to escape from.
“Alessandro,” Eduardo settled beside me. “We’ve jailed her father.”
That was all I needed to hear about that sorry excuse for a father.
I will make sure that he suffers for the rest of his life. He will never know peace as long as he lives.
“What happened to the bodyguard?” I asked.
“He killed himself. Left a silly note about how he’d never be able to live with the guilt.”
I’ve been imagining dealing with him too. What a shame.
“I’ll pray he suffers in hell,” I said.
“How is Carrie?”
“She’s going to be fine,” I replied curtly, my attention trained on the wall opposite me. “Eduardo?”
“Yes?”
“Things can’t remain the same.”
“I know.”
“I have to leave. For real this time.” I faced him, and his expressionless face told me that he was trying hard to act strong. “CDP can no longer be part of my life.”
“I understand.” He did understand, and I appreciated that. “I do.”
“Thank you, Eduardo.”
“Make sure she is happy.” He patted my back. “Sister has to be happy.”
Something choked my throat. “I will. I will make her the happiest.” My sight blurred. “She’ll be very, very happy.”
“That’s good.”
The wreck in his voice made me laugh.
Eduardo joined the short-lasting mirth.
Then, we shared great silence.
~~~
Three weeks later, Carrie was a better version of herself.
But that is what I’m trying to believe.
She doesn’t remember who she is or who I am.
The doctor advised creating new memories in place of trying to make her remember the past.
I agree. I have to shield her from the bitter memories.
But at the risk of sounding selfish, Carrie is no longer the same.
Ever since she was discharged, she has been quiet. Too quiet.
Asking her questions or talking to her always proved futile. Even Eduardo’s attempts to make her laugh didn’t work.
We moved back to Venice, but after a few days, Eduardo found a quieter place in the town of Volterra.
Our new house was cosier thanks to its traditional touch, and it was a short distance away from the beach.
Though she never mentioned it, I know Carrie loves the sea. So, I’ll take her to the beach for walks and to watch the waves.
I’ll also give her the space she needs so she can heal at her own pace.
I will wait.
I will wait for her to come back to me.
~~~
Carrie
I didn’t think I’d still be alive.
It wasn’t my wish to die, but I expected that would be the case. Well, better put, I thought death would be the best escape from that place.
So, I’m confused right now.
I’m staring at the vastness of an ocean, the sands of its shore tickling my feet.
But I don’t know where this is.
Did I walk to this place?
Have I been walking all my life?
Wait…
I looked around. Then I pinched myself.
I really wasn’t in that dirty space anymore. Darkness wasn’t trying to hug me.
Oh my… I’m finally free.
But where am I?
Heaven? Am I dead?
Am I…
I turned to look behind me. What I saw made my heart skip with both delight and sorrow.
With a shaky breath, I smiled.
If Alessandro is with me, that means that I'm truly alive.
Now, all I must do is walk to him and feel the warmth of his hug again. And perhaps, forever.
~~~
Alessandro
It has been six months since we moved.
Carrie has gotten better. We engage in small talk from time to time, and I also get to see her laugh sometimes.
But that's all.
There are no signs of her memories returning.
So, while I’m still waiting, I’m starting to think that it might be better if she doesn’t remember them. I’ll just learn to silently preserve the memories of the Carrie I used to know so that I can fully be with the Carrie she currently is.
I lifted my eyes to Carrie, who had been staring at the sea— her favourite spot since we moved.
My soul felt a strange warmth when I discovered that she was no longer staring at the calm waters but walking towards me, an expression I’ve not seen in a while etched in her longing gaze.
“Carrie.” I got up and dusted the sand off my clothes.
She said nothing until she was standing in front of me.
“Alessandro.”
“Do you need something?”
She reached for my right hand and placed my knuckles in her focus.
Then, she slowly read, “F.I.O.R.E.” My heart skipped so much, I could have fainted. Carrie then locked eyes with me and asked, “Alessandro, am I still your flower?”
My entire soul soared into a state of tears. That question was enough to tell that she now remembered the memories she lost.
I didn’t ask any questions.
Instead, with an embrace, I immersed myself in her presence and confessed over and over how much I loved her.
One of the greatest fears I had when she lost her memories was that I would not be able to tell and show her how much I love her— the woman who barged into my life and made me feel whole in many ways.
Now that she’s back… Over and over again, all I’ll say is…
“I love you, my flower. I will always love you. Thank you for coming back to me.”