The police came and took statements. They had Irish, JC, and Justin sign the statements before suggesting that she be taken to the hospital to be checked out. As they were leaving two of the Cops asked for Justin and JC’s autographs for their daughters and nieces. John stumbled up and out the apartment in handcuffs.

Justin grabbed Irish’s purse and keys to lock up as JC took her to his jeep. They got in and went to the hospital.
Once there, she was put in a private bedroom. They had her get out of the clothes and into a hospital gown. Irish eased into the bed while a neonatal nurse hooked up to a fetal monitor all over the stomach.

“Okay, just relax and let it monitor your baby’s moment and any early contractions. There will be another nurse to come in and clean that bruise.” She smiled before leaving.

JC and Justin came in after, seeing Irish’s head turned towards the sofa near the wall. “I will visit you guys later. You go spend time with her and I’ll update your Mom.” JC leaned in and whispered.

“Thanks, C.” He said walking around to sit in front of her. “Hey, Diana.”

Irish looked up at Justin and gave a half-smile. “ Hi, Justin Timber, Timber-something.”

He laughed a bit and sighed. “You know the incredible thing about loosing and gaining your memory?”

She slowly shook her head as her eyes watered. “No, what?”

“When you loose it, you feel blank. You can’t remember whatever it is you lost.” He stated as he wet a soft cloth he found on the side table and smoothed her bangs away from her swollen cheek. He began to wipe her face softly. “But when you gain it back, you not only remember what you lost, but also what you were when you lost it.”


“Was that how it was for you?” She whispered, taking his hand.

“Yeah. I remember everything I said and did. And everything you said and did. And it never left. And I am still falling for you. But you wont let go of your past with John. Of what I am. Talk to me.”

Irish breathed deeply as she began. “Well, you heard what John said. That was all true, but what he didn’t say was this girl was like a sister to me. In fact, we were in class together during college. We both met John at African-American studies class meeting and she thought it was a good idea for me to step up to him and introduce myself. Well, to make this horror of a story short I found out that they had been fucking from day one.”

Justin closed his eyes, feeling and understanding her pain. He opened his eyes and focused back on her as she continued. “Right after John and I had out first date, that very night they sunk their claws in one another. Whether
she had a man or not. So, after they confessed all that, the day I found them in my old bed. In my old apartment, I got rid of them and everything and rented a new place.”

“When did you go to cabin?” He asked caressed her unhurt cheek.

“I was getting everything ready in my new place and came across a letter from some mail, I got that fateful day. My grandparents’ lawyer had been looking for me. I met up with him and he told me since my parents were no longer living and my grandparents were gone, I own all the property and what little money they had. I remember going to the cabin when I was little. I was so happy and carefree.” Irish bitter sweetly smiled and looked away.

“ So, once I gave him the money for taking care of it all for me, I paid my rent for at least four months. I had time from my grandparents’ death earlier and some vacation time that needed to be taken. I was there a month before you appeared.”


“Why ,do you keep pushing me away?” He asked.

“You know why.”

“I want you to tell me again.”

“ I can’t let you sacrifice your life and career for me. I won’t let you. Besides, I know I could never survive. Then there’s Shani. An innocent baby. To have her face splashed all over TV and magazines. Or to have people chasing up and being violent just to get a funky picture.”

“I would give it up in a heartbeat. I have done what I wanted to do. Besides this business is getting to be too much. If I feel like I want to get back in, it would be when she’s older.” Justin told her as she closed her and shook her head.

“I don’t know. I can’t just let you do that. Can’t we be parents but not together?”

“Diana, can’t we be parents and be together. Deep in love and loving our little girl?” Justin answering her question with a question. Irish lowered her lashes and let the tears fall. The room was quiet for a minute. The silence was interrupted with a knock at the door.

A short redheaded nurse in her 20s appeared with a small cart. Justin went to help hold the door open as she walked in.

“Thank you. Hi, Ms. Elliot. I have come to clean and fix up your injury.” Justin looked at Irish with her lash still low.

"Irish, I’ll be back. I need to make a few phone calls and get something to drink. " He took her silence in and walked out the door.