Chapter 36

Avery

It was weird coming home and he wasn't here. He calls on Friday evenings for the last three weeks. This marks four weeks that he's been gone. Irene, Esther and Sherry have been hovering around making sure I had everything. Tomorrow was the last day of school.

Alexis has been gone for the past month and the rumors that she's gone To study abroad doesn't sit right with me. Landon checked and she was set to attend NYU. I wondered what brought on the sudden decision. That night I fell asleep instantly, I've been getting more and more tired daily, I was thankful that I didn't get morning sickness.

Jake

We were in a Deadlock, I made it clear to these fuckers that I wasn't going to help them in weaponizing , Missiles. It's been one month and I was more than ready to say Fuck it and Walk out of here. I missed my princess. I needed to call her today.

I didn't like the way she looked when I video called her last Friday. She looked miserable without me. That night I missed her more than normal. By Friday morning she was revolting,she was pissed. I guess her hormones were screwing with her because the minute she saw me she began crying.

I had to promise her I wouldn't leave again. I told her I would be home soon. She said she was on the way to visit Suzanne so I told her to be careful. After I ended the call I headed back to the conference room. After hour six , I was seconds away from walking out when I saw one of the soldiers come in and came to me.

“ Mr Woods, Your security detail is outside and he says 911”.

I jumped up and ran out the door.
“ What happened? , I asked him.
He handed me the phone.

“ WHAT HAPPENED TO HER?”.

“ J calm down, she's okay but in bad shape” Shawn said.

“ Shawn What the Fuck happened?”.

“ She and Landon were heading home from visiting her colleague. Landon said four pickup trucks came out of nowhere and rammed them off the road. The car flipped three times, Luckily they were both wearing seatbelts. She lost it, I'm sorry. A Broken arm and foot, Cuts, scrapes and bruises. Landon suffered multiple fractures and broken Bones. He said after they flipped he passed out. When he came to she was out cold in the back seat. He called the ambulance then me”.

” Fuck Fuck Fuck “.

“ J. She umm. From the accident, She hit her head pretty badly.She doesn't remember me or Landon. The doctors said Short term memory loss. She remembers Irene and the others so I left Irene in charge of her“. He said quietly.

I sank to the floor. “ Okay. Send her to her house, Make sure Irene doesn't mention me. Let me talk to Irene”.

“ Okay wait “. Fuck ,this couldn't be really happening.

“ Mr Woods?”.

“ Take her to her house. There's a safe in my office. 239046 , that's the code. Use whatever you need to Make sure she's okay. I have two weeks More it's no use returning When she doesn't remember me it'll only confuse her. Just…”.

” Don't worry, I'll ease her into it slowly so by the time you return she'll know you. I'll explain why Garrett, Renee and Alexis aren't around. Can you get some more security for the house”.

“ I will Irene. Please take care of her for me.”

“ I will”.

“ J ,what do you need me to do?”.

“ Make sure they're safe. Make sure Landon is okay for me please. She trusts Landon. Landon's wife and daughter inform his wife. Take care of him for me”.

“ I will, I'll take care of everything, don't worry. I'll make sure her family doesn't surface “.

I ended the call and looked at Teo.
“ Boss ,you won't need me for the next two weeks. I will Head back to Ryedale and assume my position until Landon is better. I'll vet the new Security guards”.

“ Okay. Report everything to Shawn. Check on Landon for me and …”
My heart hurt, I couldn't think clearly.

“ It's okay Boss you can trust me”. He said before walking away. I walked back into the conference room and handed my phone to the officer. I sat down and looked at the men there. Most of Them were probably married and had kids. Before I never cared how long These meetings took and now I had her and I understood better.

“ Gentlemen look. We all have families, My wife just had a car accident luckily she's still alive. This isn't getting us anywhere. I will provide the bioengineering development for whatever it is you need but if it's for weapons that's off the table. As for the software you require then Zion Corporation will provide that”.

“ I'm sorry to hear about your wife. Look he's right I've got a family and These meetings are a fucking pain in the ass. I suggest we review what Mr Woods and Zion Corporation has to offer. If it's not within the budget and is necessary then we don't need to be here longer than necessary “. The Captain said.

“ Very well, by a show of hands. We'll halt this meeting and we'll return in two weeks time and finalize the order and details. We'll revise everything and you will be mailed via special courier the details of the next meeting and requirements “. The secretary of state said.

Forty-five individuals raised their hands; the rest didn't; it was forty-five to thirteen.

“ Very well the meeting is adjourned”. I took my phone and walked out. I called Teo.

“ Boss?.”
“ Wait. I'm heading to the airport”. I said running out the building.

“ I'm outside Boss, I haven't left yet. I kinda figured you'd find a way to leave “. He said matter of factly.

I rushed out and jumped into the car and we left. On the way to the airport,I called Shawn to let him know I was headed back. The entire fight back I was a nervous wreck. I was hopeful that she would remember me sooner rather than later .
When we Landed it was nine Am on Sunday morning, Shawn was waiting for me.

“ Teo?”.

“ I'm going to start enquiring, I'll find out and update you soon sir”.

“ Okay “.

I got into the car with Shawn and we headed to the hospital. “ I Told Irene you're heading back. She saw the ring on her finger and asked Irene about it. J look maybe it's because of the accident , I don't know but you'll know better. You met her before I did so you'll know “.

“ Know what?”., I asked confused.

“ Something is different about her “. He said, ending the discussion. What could be different?. When we pulled up to The hospital,I didn't get out.

“ If I Walk in there now Shawn everyone will know”.

“ Back seat. I'll Park and follow you in a few minutes” . Room 10 on the VIP ward”.

I turned around,and saw he brought my jacket and helmet. I grabbed it and wore it and got out. I headed straight in and up to the VIP ward. I had just got off the elevator and was heading towards her room when a security guard stopped me.

“ You can't go past this point, please turn around “. He said.

I raised the visor up and looked at him.
“ Sorry Sir” ,He said, stepping aside. I walked over and opened her room door. She was laying in bed and Irene was next to her. She looked at me and so did Irene. “ You're back”, Irene said.

“ Who is he?”. She asked Irene and for some reason I didn't want to take the helmet off. She looked like My Avery,she sounded like My Avery but for some reason I couldn't bring myself to go closer to her.

“ He's your husband,” Irene said, looking at her and she just smiled. Even her smile seemed different. I walked back out of the room and pulled the helmet off. I saw Shawn heading towards me.

“ So?.” He asked

“ I know what you mean. But the thing is, I've known her for six weeks , however we never spoke during that time, I just took her to school. She looks, sounds and acts like Avery but it's like a vital part of her is missing “. I said pacing the corridor.

“ J , Maybe because you didn't know her before, it's probably because of the accident and she can't really remember so I think she's not going to be relaxed and be the person you and I know “. He said with a sigh.

By six that afternoon she was home in her house. Sherry and Esther had already gone ahead and cleaned the house up. They had already taken some of my stuff and her's over. I didn't speak to her or look at her , I gave her space. After I was sure they were settled I left for a ride.

When I returned from my ride it was nine pm, I used One of the other rooms. I was heading down to the office.

“ Mr Woods dinner is ready “.
“ Thanks Irene “. During dinner I could feel her looking at me ,but I didn't look up or say anything.

“ Are you really my husband?”. She asked.
“ Yes , I am Avery “.
“ Okay. Umm did we have a good marriage?”.
“ Yes Avery “.