Billionaire Bachelors 6 ; Runaway Heiress(28)

"Everything will be okay, Bree. This is your family. I'm going to step outside and speak to them for a few minutes, okay?" The doctor said. Bree had no choice but to nod. She watched as they all left the room. The same woman, who'd originally come in, stayed with her, reassuring her. She didn't want to be alone.

***

"It looks like your daughter is suffering from amnesia, which isn't unusual in a coma patient. I'm going to run more tests, but the good news is she's awake," Dr. Bailey said once they were in the hallway.

George and Chad were both speechless for a few moments. The doctor let them have some time to work through their thoughts.

"How long?" Chad finally asked. It seemed the only words he could get past his throat.

"There's no way to know for sure. She could regain her memory at any time, or it could take months. She may even lose some memory all together. There was no permanent damage to the brain from the bullet wound, but I'm unable to give any definitive answers," Dr. Bailey said apologetically.

"Can we take her home?" George asked.

"I need to run more tests. What you need to remember is that you can't force her memory to return. She needs to come to it on her own. If you push too much on her at once, it can make her retreat further. I know you've had a trying time over the last couple months, but she needs to heal. I'll have more answers for you once I've run those tests," he said before turning and walking away.

"What do we do?" Chad asked, feeling helpless.

"As much as I don't like it, we wait," George answered. Neither man was the type to wait for anything, or anyone, so they both took a few moments to compose themselves before walking back into her room.

Upon their return, Bree's eyes were shut and Chad felt like he was going to throw up. He shouldn't have been gone so long.

"It's okay, she's only sleeping. I know it seems like that's all she's been doing, but this is different. She will wake up again, but she's only going to be awake for short periods," the nurse reassured them.

George sat by her side for a while before leaving to make phone calls. Chad refused to leave. He wanted to be there when she woke again. The doctor came in a few hours later, but didn't have positive news. There wasn't a physical reason for the amnesia, and all they could do was wait it out and pray she regained her memory.

Chad fell asleep with his head resting on her bed and her hand held securely in his. 

***

Bree woke again in the dimly lit room but she didn't feel as panicked as the first time. She looked down and noticed the same man who'd walked in earlier, was sleeping close to her, with her hand gripped in his.

She took a few moments to study his face, which seemed softer in sleep. He had short hair and was built like a tank, but for some reason he didn't scare her. She felt safe with him, which confused her, considering she didn't know who he was. He had to be a good guy, though, if the hospital allowed him in her room.

She lifted her free hand and brushed her fingers against his cheek, which had a few days growth of hair on it. The movement must have startled him because his eyes shot open, fully alert, and they were caught, staring into each other's eyes, both of them holding their breaths.

"How are you feeling?"

"I don't know," she answered. Her head wasn't hurting so much, but she was confused, disoriented and scared.

"I'm sorry," he said.

"Why?"

"You shouldn't be here."

"Where should I be?"

He didn't know how to answer her question. She should be safe, and anywhere other than a hospital. She should be free to do what she wanted, not having to hide  –  not needing a bodyguard. He didn't know what he should say.

"Home. Safe," he finally said. She looked at him quizzically.

"They said my name is Bree. Who are you?"

"Chad, your boyfriend," he answered, knowing the lie might come to bite him in the butt, but not caring. She carried his child and he didn't know when she'd get her memory back, so it would be much easier if she assumed they were a couple. He felt a twinge of guilt for lying to her, but he pushed it back. He had to protect her and his unborn baby.

Her eyes widened at his words and he could see she was digging in her memory, but not coming up with anything.

"I don't think I like hospitals," she finally said, making him smile for the first time in months.

"I don't think you do, either. I'm not too fond of them these days, myself, but this one has kept you safe," he answered with a chuckle. His laugh made her smile and the slight flush that came to her face filled him with joy he didn't know he could feel again.

Chad couldn't resist pulling her into his arms. He needed to feel her close to him, to reassure himself she really was awake and everything would be okay. She stiffened  –  but only for a moment, then she let him hold her.