Jolly Ol' Good Times (Maxi)

[MAXINE MCMANUS]

Maxi eagerly took little Sophie from Drew’s arms, cooing softly as her niece squirmed and blinked up at her. She cradled the baby and listened as Lottie explained ways you could tell the twins apart. Her father took a seat beside her on the couch and her daughter took the other side, fawning over Sophie and Rory in Sean’s arms. They were adorable and soft and Maxi just had to snuggle them. She thought about the argument she’d had with Charlie, the only one she remembered, and wondered if she would ever want another baby with Charlie again. Even though he was her husband and they had a daughter together, all Maxi could really remember was August. It felt wrong to be with someone else. But what if August had just been a dream? She couldn’t stay loyal to a dream…Maxi didn’t even notice her sister and mother had left the room, laughing as Tristan and Lottie told stories about the twins and their mom’s pregnancy. She asked them about school and sports too and they were happy to talk about it, Lottie more so than Tristan. It seemed Tristan had more of his mother’s sweet and somewhat quiet disposition. Her father threw in comments about their individual strengths in school and sports and Maxi grinned the whole while. She never could have imagined being so surrounded by family, old and young. It left her feeling extremely content.

Soon Drew had joined the conversation and Maxi finally felt herself starting to relax a little. She was able to forget her fear as long as she could sit talking with her family. Her large, loving family… “Maxi?” The redhead turned to look at her sister and then smiled, nodding before she turned to Ruby. She carefully slid Sophie into her daughter’s arms, grinning at the way Ruby’s face lit up. Moving off the couch, she went to her sister with a curious look. “Charlie hoped you might call him.” All that comfort Maxi had been feeling slipped into the background as she was suddenly faced with her new reality. Her husband wanted to talk to her… “Did you maybe want to do that before the pizza comes? He was talking about getting a flight out tonight. He could be here tomorrow…” Maxi gulped and she knew there had to be fear in her big eyes. She wasn’t sure she was ready to see Charlie yet. He was her husband, but she had no recollection of loving him beyond the love she had for him as a friend. Yeah, she remembered having a crush on him, but that was a long way from love. How could she feel for him what she felt for August? She couldn’t remember why she even loved him!

Seeing the discomfort in Maureen’s eyes reminded Maxi that she needed to pull herself together and figure this out herself. She pushed a smile onto her face and she nodded. “Yeah, I’ll call him. Can I use your phone?” She waited for Maureen to dial and then assured her that she was okay to talk to Charlie. Still, Maureen stayed close and Maxi didn’t mind, appreciating her support. The phone rang and Maxi’s heart hammered in her chest, swallowing hard again to try and calm her nerves. Would he be angry? Frustrated? Scared? Worried? She knew he was rough around the edges, but then August could be that way too. She would just have to calm down and deal with Charlie like she would August. “Hello?” Maxi swallowed again and then smiled a little. At least he didn’t sound any different. “Hey, Charlie. It’s Maxi.” She waited anxiously for his response.

[CUPCAKE]

Maureen felt relief when Maxi smiled, and then agreed. “Yeah, I’ll call him. Can I use your phone?” Maureen smiled and nodded. "Yeah, hang on." She pulled out her cell and found Charlie's cell number. She had free international on the home line, but she would be charged up to wazoo on her cell! She dialed the number and then handed it to her sister.

Charlie was trying to get things in order knowing he would be leaving for the states probably that night. He found a half decent deal on tickets, and since he had the smarts to buy a refundable ticket, it would only cost an extra $200 after the refund and the ticket price difference, a steal considering how expensive it was to fly to the states, especially last minute like he had to. When his phone rang he picked it up hoping to see Maxi's number, but what he saw was his sister-in-laws home number. Thinking it was Maureen he picked it up with a quick little “Hello?”, not expecting his wife to be on the other end.

“Hey, Charlie. It’s Maxi.” Relief washed over him and he sighed, getting up and shutting the door to his office for a little more privacy. "Finally! What the hell's going on?" He asked, concerned about his wife's behavior. All he'd heard was she was having memory issues! "I...I don't know. I can't really explain it." His brows knit, not sure what she meant. How couldn't she explain that? "What do you mean you can't explain it? What, you just woke up and forgot stuff? What kind of stuff did you forget?" "Well, yeah! But it wasn't really forgetting so much as remembering differently. Like I remembered my parents dying and being separated from my sister for twenty-five years. I didn't remember Ruby...or marrying you. But it's sort of coming back to me. Slowly." He had to pause at that. She didn't remember her life? How could she not remember their life? But she remembered her sister just fine it seemed! What the hell? And what did she mean her parents were dead! He'd grown up with her parents, and he loved them, but they could be a little annoying at times. Didn't mean he wanted them dead, or she did! "What do you.. you don't remember marrying me? Or, what do you mean you didn't remember Ruby?" He asked after a beat, not bringing up her parents, deciding it was probably a bad idea. "I...I remember us growing up together and...I had a crush on you, but...but nothing ever came of it. Not in my memory. And I had no children. But...but I remembered reading to Ruby and...then I argued with you. About children...It still doesn't seem quite real, though. I just...I don't know what to think. He was hurt and annoyed and confused beyond belief. The way she was talking it was like she lived in a whole other world! He heard the trembling in her voice, knew she was starting to get choked up and he had no choice but to calm down for her sake or she would just start crying and he couldn't handle that, not now.

"I think I should come there. I'm going to catch the red eye, okay? We'll get this all figured out." He hoped his words would comfort her, but when she spoke he got the feeling she wasn't comforted at all. "Oh, Charlie...if you have to stay and work, I understand. I don't want to put you out." "What makes you think I can sit here and work when you can't even remember me? Or Ruby!" He snapped. "No, I already talked to William, he's agreed to let me go on holiday a few weeks early. Said he needs me back by Wednesday, though, so I'll just take the rest of the time when you come home. Okay?" He waited for her soft answer, which finally came. "O-okay. Then I'll see you soon." At least she was still predictable. "Alright baby, i'll call you with the flight information so your sister knows when to expect me. Tell Ruby hi and that I'll see her tomorrow." "I will. She'll be happy to see you." "Alright, bye, babe. Love you" He waited for her answer which came in soft and trailed off, like she was unsure of returning his words. He hung up feeling uneasy. What would he come over there to? She mentioned remembering some things, like one of the random arguments they'd had. Of all the stupid shit for her to remember? Charlie ran a hand over his face and slid back into his chair, looking out the window. He had zero time to dilly dally today. He had a plane to catch and a lot of work to get ready.

Maureen watched her sister hang up, biting her lower lip. No sooner had she stepped closer the doorbell rang, and a stampede of hungry children came barreling out to the front. "Pizza!" The three sang out in chorus and Maureen had to smile at them. "Let me go pay him, I'll be right back." Maureen offered to her sister, reaching out and giving her hand a quick squeeze as she went to the front door to pay the delivery kid. Maxi's head ached suddenly again, though now she was used to these random jolts of electricity, and it didn't sting nearly as severely as it had been.

"I can't believe you're leaving me tomorrow." Charlie pouted, looking the way Maxi remembered him looking as a very young man. She had to giggle, her arms wrapped around him, her body straddling his on the couch. "What, you thought you'd confess your love for me and I'd just never go home?" She teased and Charlie's smile grew. "Actually, yeah." The pair laughed and Maxi leaned in, but it was Charlie who kissed her, his fingers moving up to her long, red hair, tightening at the roots of it to keep her close, his kiss intense so she knew how much he wanted her to stay. "You know I can't.." "You could.." He whispered against her mouth and she sighed. "I wish I could. But it takes time, and Miss Rudolph is retiring next year and you know how much I want that teaching job." Her eyes were pleading as she looked into his, needing him to understand how important it was for her, how hard she had worked for this job and it was finally almost hers! Charlie was silent for a moment and her lips came back to graze his, wanting him to be okay with her decision. "What if.. what if I came back?" He asked and her eyes widened. "Came back?" "Yeah.. if I came back would you at least have the decency to be my girl?" There was a playfulness in his tone, and this smirk was endearing. She'd always found him handsome, and for good reason. Her head tilted to the side and her sapphire eyes darted to the ceiling as if she needed to seriously consider this. "I would consider it." She teased and Charlie's eyes narrowed. In a swift movement he rolled her onto the couch he shared with his kid brother and straddled her instead. "Promise you won't be with anyone but me." He said more seriously, begging more than actually asking. Maxi felt her heart flutter and finally she nodded. "Alright." She said in a whisper. "I'm yours.." And she meant it. She could marry this boy, who had been a dear friend growing up, who had pined over her for years without her knowing. His mouth came down to hers and he kissed her sweetly. "Give me three months, and I'll be home taking you out to the Blue Scallop to celebrate our first date as a real couple." She had to giggle, nodding. "I'm holding you to that, Charlie Miller."

"Tristan, can you set the table?" Drew called out and the boy groaned, but did as he was told as his mom tried to balance the boxes, the girls skipping in around hers. "Lottie why don't you start getting drinks. Would you help her please, Ruby?" The girls agreed much more happily than Tristan, and soon the group was getting settled around the table, the twins in their respective swings.

[MAXINE MCMANUS]

Maxi heard Charlie sigh and she wondered if it was from relief or frustration…maybe both? “Finally! What the hell’s going on?” That was a loaded question… “I…I don’t know. I can’t really explain it.” “What do you mean you can’t explain it? What, you just woke up and forgot stuff? What kind of stuff did you forget?” And so began Maxi’s explanation of what was going on inside her head. She felt awful having to tell Charlie that she couldn’t remember marrying him or even their daughter. Though Charlie was brusque and bossy and pretty much always had been, she could hear the twinge of pain in his voice when he asked what that meant. She didn’t want to hurt him, just like she didn’t want to hurt Ruby, but she knew it was better to be honest with him. “I think I should come there. I’m going to catch the red eye, okay?” That statement, though she supposed it should have been predictable, made Maxi pause and panic internally. She didn’t want to see him until she could remember him! But when would that be? He was her husband and naturally he would want to be there for her. “Oh, Charlie…if you have to stay and work, I understand. I don’t want to put you out.” She didn’t expect the reaction she got. “What makes you think I can sit here and work when you can't even remember me? Or Ruby!” Flinching slightly at the way Charlie snapped, she wondered if it would be a good idea to have him there if he was going to be so tense… “No, I already talked to William, he's agreed to let me go on holiday a few weeks early. Said he needs me back by Wednesday, though, so I'll just take the rest of the time when you come home. Okay?” And just like that, Maxi could hear the very subtle soothing note in Charlie’s voice. Even though they had been apart for years in her current memory, they had spent enough time together as children for her to know his mannerisms. “O-okay…Then I’ll see you soon.” She knew better than to push it. “Alright baby, I’ll call you with the flight information so your sister knows when to expect me. Tell Ruby hi and that I’ll see her tomorrow.” A small smile finally came to Maxi’s face, knowing Ruby would light up to see her father. It was also a little odd to hear Charlie Miller call her “baby.” “I will. She’ll be happy to see you.” “Alright, bye babe. Love you.” And once again his words threw her for a loop. Even though she had August and loved him dearly, her heart skipped to hear handsome Charlie Miller say he loved her. As his wife, she was probably expected to say it back and she suddenly jumped a little. “I…I love you too…bye.” Those words felt very strange rolling off her tongue to any man but August and she found herself trailing off in something between hesitation and guilt. In the end, it was probably one of the most awkward calls of her life.

Maxi hung up and bit her lip gently, lowering it from her ear and staring at it blankly for a long moment. This was so strange. If she let herself stop and really think about everything, she was afraid she would start crying again. Finally, she snapped herself back together and handed the phone back to Maureen with a forced smile. Before she could explain anything, though, the doorbell rang and a chorus of voices rose from the other room: “Pizza!” Maxi and Maureen were both forced to smile and Maxi turned to look for the phone charger to place it back in. “Let me go pay him, I’ll be right back.” Maxi nodded and smiled at her sister’s firm hand squeeze. Finding the phone charger, she placed the phone back in its cradle. That’s when her head spun again, aching but not as intensely as before. She was on a couch with Charlie, kissing him and cooing softly that she couldn’t stay, she had to go home. Maxi knew she meant the States but Charlie was urging her to stay in England. When he suggested coming back to the States for her, Maxi felt the surge of happiness and excitement in her belly. She remembered loving Charlie in that moment. It felt so warm, comfortable and exciting in his arms, much like how she felt with August, and she found herself leaning heavily against the counter in the kitchen. So it had been real…meeting with Charlie again and exchanging their mutual feelings in England…just like Maureen told her. But then what was August? A figment of her imagination? Had she made him up because she and Charlie were struggling? More tears were burning in Maxi’s eyes as she felt guilty for emotionally cheating on her husband, but knowing that was out of her control. It would be best not to tell Charlie about August. Even though she felt guilty for making him up, it hurt that the only one who would ever know about the love she had for August was herself.

“Tristan, can you set the table?” Drew’s voice snapped Maxi out of her reverie and she blinked back the tears threatening in her eyes. She looked over to see her sister balancing boxes with two girls skipping into the kitchen behind her and Tristan groaning as he went for dishes to set the table with. Maxi decided to help too if only to get her mind off of all her internal conflict, forcing a smile onto her mouth. “Lottie, why don’t you start getting drinks? Would you help her please, Ruby?” The girls did as they were asked and Maxi grinned at her daughter and ruffled her hair as she passed her, going to her sister to grab some boxes from her arms. Drew and Sean put the babies in their swings while Maxi and Maureen set out the pizzas and Margot helped set the table with Tristan. Finally everyone sat down at the table and dug into the pizzas. Maxi sat next to her daughter and across from her mother, Maureen on her other side at one of the head chairs. She leaned into Ruby with a smile. “So guess who’s coming tomorrow.” Ruby turned her big, sapphire eyes to her mother and then a smile broke out on her face. “Dad?!” Maxi grinned wide and nodded which made Ruby gasp and clap her hands enthusiastically. Of course she would be happy to see her dad with this crisis going on. Maxi looked at her sister and mother who were both watching her with matching blue eyes. “Charlie is catching the red eye. He said he’ll call with the flight information. I told him he didn’t have to but…well, you know Charlie.” She gave a small smile and reached for a piece of pizza while studying her mother and sister’s looks. They looked between each other and she could see the hesitation there. “Maybe he can help me remember more. I’ve had two memories with him now…maybe actually seeing him will give me more memories.”

[CUPCAKE]

Maureen had mixed feelings about Charlie coming in. She loved him since he was family, and had loved him far before then because their families had always been close, but she was nervous about the way he would react to Maxi's sudden amnesia. It looked like Maxi had mixed feelings too, but Ruby seemed more than a little happy at the idea of her daddy coming early. There was no denying she was a daddy's girl. “Charlie is catching the red eye. He said he’ll call with the flight information. I told him he didn’t have to but…well, you know Charlie.” Maureen smiled and nodded. "We all know Charlie." She teased trying to lighten the mood as the kids tried to shove as much pizza down their throats as possible. “Maybe he can help me remember more. I’ve had two memories with him now…maybe actually seeing him will give me more memories.” Ruby looked up at her mom with uncertainty and Maureen knew the look, because the little girl looked exactly how she felt. Only two more memories? Out of what, millions? "I'm sure they'll come to you." Maureen insisted giving Ruby the most reassuring look she could muster without alarming Maxi and calling more attention to the situation that necessary. Luckily Lottie was oblivious to the tension and started talking with Ruby and Drew took the opportunity to talk about what their plans were for the week. He would be home for the next few couple months while school was out, and Margot and Sean were retired, so it seemed like there would be a lot of family bonding going on.

The rest of supper passed without much more talk of Maxi's unknown mental illness. The conversation was kept light and present so she had no problem following along. When food was finished the kids helped clear the table and put things away before, and then Drew suggested games. Tristan darted to the closet where the games were kept and each of them brought back a board game to play. Guesstures was followed by pictionary, and by the time cranium was being pulled out, the twins began to fuss. Margot and Sean had to say their farewells since it was starting to get late, but promised they would be back by lunch time tomorrow so they could all go swimming together. After a sweet farewell to Ruby and Maxi they headed out, and then Maureen scooped Sophie up and asked Maxi to get Rory. They headed into another room for more privacy and Maureen settled the twins on her breasts.

"It's weird nursing two at the same time." She admitted, not shy about doing what she was in front of Maxi. They'd seen each other naked plenty over the years, and they'd seen each other nurse as well. "I forgot how mellow I become when I have a newborn. I think it's the lack of sleep." She watched the tiny infants for a moment before peering back at her sister. "I want to know what you remember." She said after a moment. "Not.. not the things that are coming back to you. But about mom and dad dying?" She sounded unsure as she spoke, afraid to hear what her sister had to say. "That's just a really weird dream, but.. how vivid was it? What happened in it?" She questioned, not really understanding what her sister was going through, but wanting to. Maybe if she could understand where she was coming from, she might be able to pick up hints about what had happened to her mind.

[MAXINE MCMANUS]

Maxi could feel Ruby’s eyes on her before she even looked at the girl, but one glance at her sister showed she shared the same feeling of uneasy that Ruby was expressing. Only two memories. Maxi was excited to remember anything about them at all, considering she recalled things completely differently, but it wasn’t enough to ease her daughter and her sister. Suddenly she felt a little deflated. If only she knew what was happening to her. Thankfully Lottie stepped in and so did Drew, talking about their plans for the week. It distracted everyone enough that the uneasiness slipped away for the most part. Maxi smiled and ate her supper, laughing when she had to, but she had an awful knot in her stomach. Nothing seemed right anymore and Maxi was stuck in the great gray area that was her mind. She hated to feel so utterly confused.

It helped that Drew suggested board games and before long Maxi was relaxing enough to enjoy her family again. No, this wasn’t a family she was familiar with, but it was warm and inviting. Laughter filled the room and she steadily became familiar with Tristan, Lottie and Ruby’s personalities. Tristan and Lottie were like night and day, though they complemented each other well. Tristan was quiet and thoughtful, though he had a sharp wit that kept everyone laughing. Lottie was a chatterbox with a sweet disposition, if not a little flighty. Ruby was a happy medium, talkative and sweet but opinionated with a curiosity as deep as her mother’s. Her laugh made Maxi grin and she felt an inexplicable pride for having such a wonderful daughter. Had she really raised her? The games brought out the best in the family and the competitiveness in Tristan and Ruby. There were no hard feelings between them, however. She had a feeling that Ruby was the best of friends with her cousins, especially Lottie. Maxi was glad she had them to support her. Two board games later and a third one about to start, Maxi felt tired but happy. It wasn’t until she had to say goodbye to her parents that she began to panic again. What if she went to sleep and woke up the next morning to find that this was all a dream? What if she never saw them again after this relatively brief encounter? It took everything in her not to cry when she said goodbye, but she hugged them both like she would never let go. If Maureen hadn’t asked her to grab one of the now fussing twins, she might have let those tears go. Instead, she simply smiled and nodded and scooped up little Rory in her arms. She was getting better at telling them apart, thanks to their big sister.

Once inside the other room, Maureen simply released her breasts and brought the twins to them. Maxi couldn’t help but blush a little and look away, not used to seeing her sister’s naked chest. Since when had Maureen been so comfortable with her body? Or right…this wasn’t the same Maureen she was reunited with almost a year ago. “It’s weird nursing two at the same time.” Maxi chanced a glance back at her sister and gave a nervous smile, shaking her head gently. “I can only imagine…” she said in return. She had to admit it seemed right to see Maureen like this. Her sister had such a strong natural maternal instinct and she almost looked like she was glowing when she smiled down at her suckling infants. It was a warm, beautiful picture that Maxi would never be able to share. “I forgot how mellow I become when I have a newborn. I think it’s the lack of sleep.” Maxi gave a soft laugh and a wide grin. How would she be if she had a newborn? She couldn’t remember having Ruby…

Suddenly Maureen’s eyes were peering at Maxi and she stared back curiously. “I want to know what you remember. Not…not the things that are coming back to you. But about mom and dad dying? That’s just a really weird dream, but…how vivid was it? What happened in it?” Maxi gulped and considered her sister with a furrowed brow for a long, silent moment. “It was so vivid that it doesn’t feel like a dream. It feels like…an alternate reality. I know how crazy that sounds, but it’s the only way I can explain it. Everything was so different there…” She explained about her life, how she grew up with the Millers and Drew, something she assumed was still true in this universe since she’d already referenced growing up with Charlie and wasn’t corrected. Reliving the weekend her entire life changed was hard for both of them and by the end of it she had tears in her eyes. Even Maureen looked upset by the memory. She told how she’d lived out the rest of her young adulthood with their grandparents but they passed away shortly after she graduated college. With the money from her inheritance from both her parents’ and her grandparents’ deaths, she bought a house in Trail Oaks and lived comfortably as a teacher. She talked about Becky and how she took her under her wing like a little sister, how close they were now. Her life was full of friends and wonderful bonds with students, but for the most part she was alone. “It all changed over a year ago. Becky moved back home and I met a Gargoyle named August. I’ve never loved anyone so much. He’s not friendly and he’s terrified of relationships, but…he loves me. And I love him. I know I’m married to Charlie, but it felt so real, Reenie. I want…wanted to spend the rest of my life with August. He was everything to me.” Her eyes were tearing again and she forced herself to laugh them off. “I guess I’m just attracted to difficult men.” She gave another laugh and wiped her tears away before they could trickle down her cheeks. “And then you came back into my life by accident.” She told Maureen how they reunited on the peer that fateful night, how they’d spent hours learning about each other, talking about what little Maureen could remember. Then Drew and Jamie came to dinner with them and it was the start of her relationship with Drew. She told Maureen all about her other self, the life she had lived in Friday Harbor and Simon, at least what she knew of it. “For twenty-five years you and I were separated, but when you came back…that was the happiest moment of my life. I knew then that miracles really could happen.” She sniffled and wiped her eyes, grinning wide at her beautiful sister.

The twins were almost done by now and Maxi realized they had been talking for a very long time. She reached out and actually ran her hand along the back of Sophie’s soft, warm head, distracting the baby from her meal. “I can’t believe I don’t remember what it was like to do this. I didn’t have any children yet in my other reality. Now I have Ruby…I’m the worst mother in the world for forgetting her. How could I forget my own daughter?” She shook her head, her chest aching suddenly and her eyes filling again. Those eyes came back to Maureen’s, begging for an answer. “What kind of woman forgets her child? What must she think of me? How could I hurt her like that? I can’t even remember marrying her father…” She knew Maureen didn’t have the answers, but she had to let her thoughts out to someone. There was no better choice besides her own big sister.

[CUPCAKE]

Maureen waited a little anxiously as Maxi considered her question. Finally she spoke and she braced herself for the explanation. “It was so vivid that it doesn’t feel like a dream. It feels like…an alternate reality. I know how crazy that sounds, but it’s the only way I can explain it. Everything was so different there…” Maureen did her best to keep an open mind as her little sister explained the severe differences in the life she was remembered leading and her actual life there. As she spoke Maureen kept teetering on the idea that maybe it wasn't completely crazy. The tree had been known to do strange things; hell they had been shrouded in darkness for nearly six months because of that damn tree, so who was to see this Maxi was her Maxi. It looked like her and sounded like her, but mentally it wasn't. Even her disposition seemed a bit off. This version of her sister had seen pain, a great deal of it from what it seemed, and as her sister she needed to fix this. For her, and her daughter, and even her good friend Charlie. Even with her revelation, it didn't stop her from cringing and frowning at her sister's words. To think for a moment that she had been lost at sea and raised by strangers with no memory or her previous life was painful. How did her sister remember her? Was she so different in this alter world of Maxi's?

Maxi went on to talk about August, a lover of hers and it was difficult to separate this Maxi from the other. It almost sounded like she was talking about an affair, though that wasn't the case. She wanted to tell Maxi not to bring up August in front of Charlie when he got there, but she bit her tongue. She already knew he wouldn't take kindly to his wife's interesting tale, but she would like to think that Maxi had enough sense not to tell him about another man she was so deeply in love with.

The twins were starting to fuss a little, a sign they needed to be burped and maybe laid down. Maureen watched as Maxi's hand slid over her daughters blond, fuzzy head. “I can’t believe I don’t remember what it was like to do this. I didn’t have any children yet in my other reality. Now I have Ruby…I’m the worst mother in the world for forgetting her. How could I forget my own daughter?” Maureen pursed her lips, feeling her own eyes well gently as her sisters did the same. “What kind of woman forgets her child? What must she think of me? How could I hurt her like that? I can’t even remember marrying her father…” "Maxi, stop!" Maureen begged, her voice choked. She reached out and took the hand that had been stroking Sophie's head, and looked deep into her sisters identical sapphire eyes, a trait only one of her children so far had been fortunate enough to inherit. "What you're going through now has no bearing on your parenting. You are probably the most amazing mother I've ever had the privilege to meet. You have it so together.. Ruby has always been the perfect child, and that has everything to do with you. Alright?" She wanted desperately to hug her sister tight and hold her until she remembered, but right now she had her two youngest children to worry about as well. "She's smart, and she will understand. Further, I know she'll help you because that's the kind of kid she is, the kind of kid you raised her to be whether you remember doing so or not. That little girl loves you. You're her best friend and vice versa." She pulled Sophie from her breast and handed the girl to her sister. "We'll figure this all out, alright?" Her voice was still soft and pleading as she Positioned Rory over her shoulder and started gently patting, nodding for Maxi to do the same. "Maybe just being around us and doing familiar things will fix everything." She suggested and then bit her lip. "And maybe you should try and find this August fellow and see if he really exists. It might answer some of your questions. Couldn't hurt, right?" As soon as the words left Maureen's lips, a flash of lightning zipped through Maxi's mind, making her pause a moment from the task of burping the infant in her arms..

The phone rang next to Maxi's head, stirring her from her sleep. Her eyes opened and she looked at the clock glowing next to her head, which told her it was nearly three in the morning. She grabbed the phone, pulling it to her head as she base crashed to the ground, the curly wire attached to it getting nabbed on something and forcing Maxi to bend a little so she didn't lose the phone. "Hello?" She said groggily into the receiver. "Max?" Came a panicked whisper. "Maureen? What's going on. Are you okay?" Her sister sounded choked and Maxi bent over to turn her lamp on, blinking in the sudden light flooding the room so she could untangle the chord. "I need yo to get me. Can you come get me?" Came the teary plea over the line. "Yeah, where are you? What's going on?" Maxi asked, confused. She didn't even know her sister had gone out that night! She was suddenly grateful her parents had installed the extra line for their rooms. They were old enough technically to be living on their own, but considering their species they still looked pretty young. "Don't be mad. Do you promise not to be mad?" Maxi knew immediately that she would be and furrowed her brows, reaching to pull her jeans on. "You're drunk." She growled into the receiver. "Did you go to Dominic's again?" There was a hiccuping cry coming from the receiver. "What did he do to you?" "Nothing, I.. just.." "Where are you!" "I'm at the 7-Eleven on Chestnut." "Stay right there, I'll be there in a minute." Maureen let out a weak sound as Maureen hung up. She found a pair of sandals and slipped them on, quietly darting out of her room and downstairs. She got into the car she shared with her sister and headed towards the 7-eleven, where she found her sister sobbing gently on the curb by the payphones. Maureen looked up, relief washing over her tear stained face and she moved clumsily to get into the passenger side. Fuming, Maxi glowered at her sister, angry she would go back with her ex, even for one second. The slight discoloration over her eye and tiny bleeding cut on her left eyebrow was answer enough for all of her questions. "Oh, Maury.." She sighed and her sister collapsed into a ball of tears again, reeking of alcohol. "I know, I was an idiot, he just.. everything was fine! It was Dave, and he started talking to me because he knew me and Dom were over and Dom just got so mad, I don't know! I didn't think.." All Maxi could do was hug her sister. She loved Maureen even if she didn't always make the best choices. Sometimes she was a little too wild for her own good, and her charismatic, fun personality made her easy pray sometimes for assholes like Dom. "You promised you'd stay away from him.." "I will this time, I swear, I promise.. please don't tell Drew!" She begged. Maxi bit her lip. Drew made her promise to tell him if something more happened with Dom, having so far stayed out of the relationship. He'd always watched over them, been their big brother, and had even briefly dated Maureen but not even Drew could tame Maureen, not for long. Maxi's hesitation made Maureen pull back and give her sister pleading eyes. Drew should know. Drew loved Maureen and he would take care of Dom, and maybe this was what the two needed to get back together. Maxi wanted more than anything for Maureen to be with Drew. She was safe with him, calmer with him.. "You won't tell him, will you?" Maxi gulped and nodded. "I won't tell Drew." She lied, hating herself for knowing she would betray her sister, but knowing she was doing it for her own good. "Thanks." She huffed, wiping her eyes and leaning back. She looked so small there.. so young and fragile.. "I wanna go home." She begged softly and Maxi nodded with a sigh, backing the car up and heading towards home.

"Do you have any way of knowing where he might be?" Maureen asked, raising a brow and looking curiously at Maxi.

[MAXINE MCMANUS]

“Maxi, stop!” Maureen’s choked plea forced more tears into Maxi’s big eyes and her lip began to tremble as she gazed up at her sister. Thankfully Maureen’s warm hand enveloped hers, gripping tightly and urgently. "What you're going through now has no bearing on your parenting. You are probably the most amazing mother I've ever had the privilege to meet. You have it so together…Ruby has always been the perfect child, and that has everything to do with you. Alright?" Maxi sniffled and nodded as two fat tears rolled onto her cheeks. If she was such an amazing mother, why couldn’t she remember it? "She's smart, and she will understand. Further, I know she'll help you because that's the kind of kid she is, the kind of kid you raised her to be whether you remember doing so or not. That little girl loves you. You're her best friend and vice versa." With her free hand, Maxi brushed her damp cheeks as more tears fell. She had to admit, Ruby really did seem like a great kid. Even though she hardly remembered her, she knew she loved her. As long as Ruby knew that too, then that was the most important thing. Maxi was distracted as Maureen pulled little Sophie from her breast, making Maxi’s cheeks burn lightly. She still wasn’t used to that. But when Sophie was in her arms again, she forgot about it, and she rested the little form against her shoulder as she watched her sister to the same with Rory. “We’ll figure this out, alright?” Maxi nodded again as her hand lightly patted Sophie’s back, following Maureen’s instruction. It was hard to believe Ruby was ever this small. Maxi probably loved cuddling her like this. "Maybe just being around us and doing familiar things will fix everything." She certainly hoped so. “Maybe…” she said softly, though she was beginning to doubt that. She remembered going through pictures with Maureen when she was trying to remember, but only a couple things came back to her. Why would it be different for Maxi?

"And maybe you should try and find this August fellow and see if he really exists. It might answer some of your questions. Couldn't hurt, right?" The suggestion shocked Maxi. She hadn’t even thought of that! The shock must have set off something else in her mind because she was suddenly overwhelmed by another memory. Maureen had gone back to an ex-boyfriend who hit her and pleaded for her not to tell Drew. It was so foreign, knowing the Maureen she’d reunited with, but remembering Maureen as a child, it made more sense with her personality. She’d been so frustrated with her sister over that. Drew probably would have beaten the shit out of this Dom character if he ever found out the man hit Maureen. If Maureen ever went back to a man like that today, she would be furious with her. But did she really have a right to be upset anymore? It wasn’t like she ended up with the best men either...not for the first time, Maxi found the irony in her attraction to August and Maureen’s to Drew considering how they had been as girls. Lost in this new memory that conflicted so harshly with what she thought had been her reality, she was surprised to hear Maureen’s voice cut through the baffled silence. "Do you have any way of knowing where he might be?" Maxi’s eyes widened, snapping out of her reverie. Where who might be…? Oh, right…

She nodded gently, smoothing her hand over Sophie’s back after she felt the soft burp push through her tiny body. “He was on the Gargoyle Council and lived in Wallingford Condos. Even if he’s not living in the same place, I know he’d still be working at City Hall. That’s the way his father wanted it. I doubt that’s changed.” Maxi knew what influence August’s dad had over his life choices. But he’d always wanted to be an Adventurer…what if he’d followed that track instead in this other world? Then she might never find him. She didn’t even know what his father looked like to try and ask him. “Or maybe it has…or maybe he just doesn’t exist. I was probably just dreaming…but you’re right. It couldn’t hurt to try looking for him.” But maybe it could. What if he was with another woman and Maxi happened to see them? She didn’t think she could handle seeing August with someone else. Even more frightening was if he existed. How could she dream about him and building a life with him if she had never known him? Did that mean there really were alternate realities? Such a mind-blowing question left Maxi feeling very lost all of a sudden. What could cause this?

“I have to admit, I’m scared to know if he’s real or not. If he isn’t, then I’m just crazy or I had some crazy dream. But if he is…how could I have a dream about him if I’ve never met him before? What does that mean? I feel so lost and confused, Maury…” With a heavy sigh, she rested her head very gently against Sophie’s soft, warm back. “Maybe if I looked at some pictures, I could remember more. Do you have any here?” It was almost a silly question and she was glad to know that Maureen had plenty. A small smile pushed onto her lips. “And then when Charlie comes, maybe he can help too.” For the first time, she felt anxious to have her husband there. She needed to know if his presence would help her or not. Maxi was desperate for a solution and she needed to work through her many options until she found something that unblocked her memory…one way or the other.

[CUPCAKE]

kI]"He was on the Gargoyle Council and lived in Wallingford Condos. Even if he's not living in the same place, I know he'd still be working at City Hall. That's the way his father wanted it. I doubt that's changed."[/i] Maureen nodded slowly, watching her older sister carefully. Would Maxi really have gotten mixed up with a Gargoyle? Even Charlie wasn't as bad as the reputation Gargoyles had created for themselves. Maureen still wondered if it was a weird dream or not, though. Her sister remembered things frm her life but there were more contradicting memories. This had to be some kind of crazy witchcraft. "Or maybe it has...or maybe he just doesn't exist. I was probably just dreaming..but you're right. It couldn't hurt to try looking for him." Maureen patted her sisters knee gently an then covered herself up more properly. "I have to admit, I'm scared to know if he's real or not. If he isn't, then I'm just crazy or I had some crazy dream. But if he is...how could I have a dream about him if I've never met him before? What does that mean? I feel so lost and confused, Maury..." So many questions the auburn haired girl couldn't begin to answer. She wished she had something more to tell Maxi but she simply did not. "I don't know.." was all she could say, nibbling at her bottom lip.

Maxi looked so lost, which was strange since she was the one who had always seemed to have it all together. It was Maxi who was the rock, the strong one. Maureen had always envied that in her sister, but now it was she who had to be the strong one, keeping it all together. "Maybe if I looked at some pictures, I could remember more. Do you have any here?" maureen cocked a brow and gave a short laugh. "Uhh, yeah. I might have just a few." She said in a teasing voice with a laugh that told Maxi that she had more than just a few. "And then when Charlie comes, maybe he can help too." She nodded fiercly in agreement. "He will. Charlie will probably spark all sorts of memories. He always gets what he wants and he'll want you to remember." She teased, though she wondered if her words were questionable. Maxi probably didn't remember they joked about Charlie always getting what Charlie wanted. "Let's get these two to bed and then we'll dig up some pictures.

Getting the twins in bed was an easy task since they slept most of the time anyway, and then Maureen brought her sister down into the basement which had been converted into a playroom and storage. She pulled old albums out andboxes of photos that hadn't been put into albums just yet. There were pictures from when the girls were young, pictures Maxi had seen plenty in her life, and then there were the ones from after the tragedy, only in this life tragedy had never struck. Family camping trips and hikes, trips to other countries, various pictures of the girls with the Millers and other friends of the family. There were pictures from Maxi's wedding, Maureens wedding album, Maxi pregnant and all sorts of pictures of Ruby growing up, along with both of Maureens kids. Maureen patiently answered her sisters questions, held her hand and offered her tissues and hugs when things got too emotional. Laughter rang from upstairs as the kids and Drew watched a movie, giving Maureen plenty of time to explain things to her sister.

"Oh, this was Lottie's second dance recital, not third." She explained. "I wish we lived closer, it would have been nice to have the girls in class together." She explained as her cell rang. Maureen pulled her phone out and looked at it. "It's Charlie." She explained softly before answering. "Hey Char--" The girl sut her mouth and looked at her sister before getting up and moving to the bookshelves. "She's fine, we're lookin at pictures. Yeah. Watching a movie. Uh huh. No don't worry ab--" Maureen sighed and offered a smile to her sister just as another shot ran through her mind.

"She has friends here, she doesn't need her cousins." Charlie insisted shaing his head. "She does too, and I need my sister!" Maxi insisted. "And my parents, and what about your family? You promised this wasn't permanent, you said we culd go back." "But I'm in line for partner, baby. All that hard work, all that sacrifice will have been for nothing!" "I don't care, I just want to go home!" Maxi insisted with tears in her eyes. Charlie was clearly annoyed but he sighed and cupped his wifes face. "I know you do.. I need you to be patient, though." Maxi opened her mouth to object but Charlie slid his finger over her lips. "For a little longer. I'm going to be making more money, we can at least visit more, alright? This is important." Maxi was sulking and her sapphires were downcast but she reluctantly nodded. "I love you, baby.. you know I do." Maxi nodded again and her husbands lips pressed to hers, his fingers caressing the sides of her face. "Thank you." He said in a hushed voice against her lips and Maxi pressed back her tears. She knew he would never move back, but at least she had Ruby and Charlie, and maybe she could get that kitten after all..

"I will. You, too. Thanks, Charlie." Maureen hung up and came back to her sisters side. "He'll be here by lunch tomorrow." She explained with a smile. "That will be nice!" Maureen insisted, hoping it would be.

[MAXINE MCMANUS]

Maureen was nodding fiercely and Maxi looked up at her hopefully through her big, sad eyes. “He will. Charlie will probably spark all sorts of memories. He always gets what he wants and he’ll want you to remember.” A genuine smile quirked up Maxi’s lips at her sister’s teasing, though she had a feeling Maureen’s words had a joke hidden within them that Maxi didn’t quite understand. Was she supposed to? Regardless, it was true: Charlie always got what he wanted when they were younger. And still, apparently. “Let’s get these two in bed and then we’ll dig up some pictures.” Maxi nodded resolutely, actually excited at the prospect of remembering now. She wanted to know her life. Well…the one she didn’t remember. She had a life, but most of those memories were wrong, it seemed. So Maxi dutifully followed her sister from the room, cradling the baby in her arms gently. She was so small and warm and soft…Maxi could have snuggled her forever, but the poor thing did need to sleep. So they put the twins to bed, which was easy enough, and they made their way down to the basement in search of memories.

The world Maureen uncovered was familiar to start, but became increasingly more unrecognizable as they flipped through album after album. From the pictures she saw and the stories Maureen told, she’d gone travelling around the world with her family, something she had only ever dreamed of before now. There were so many pictures of trips and vacations, with the Millers, Solomons, Periwinkles and other family friends. She grinned at the pictures of Drew and Maureen’s wedding, silently noting how tasteful everything was. And they looked so young…and there she was with Charlie at the wedding. She managed to hold it together until they came to pictures of her own wedding. Maxi had been beautiful and Charlie looked so handsome…but why couldn’t she remember it? Why couldn’t she remember the tears that were most definitely in her eyes as her father proudly but hesitantly walked his baby down the aisle? Why couldn’t she remember her heart no doubt fluttering as she held Charlie’s hands and said, “I do”? When he said, “I do”? She couldn’t remember their dance or the tears on her cheeks as she had her final dance with her father, obvious from the pictures. There were tears in her eyes just looking at them and feeling so helpless to remember it.

Then came the pictures of her pregnancy. She shook her head at how far her tummy protruded, never having seen herself look so fat and happy. There were baby pictures of Ruby: Charlie asleep on the couch with her tiny form draped over his chest, Maxi holding her and reading softly, Ruby staring wide eyed from beneath a hat three times too big for her head, Ruby grinning with cake smeared all over her chubby cheeks…Maxi couldn’t stop the tears from pouring onto her cheeks as she watched her daughter grow through photographs. She couldn’t remember, but oh how she wanted to. Her fingers touched the pages, sobbing lightly. She had to take a small break to regain her composure, Maureen holding her hand and giving her tissues as she let her confusion, panic, and sadness run down her face. When she did compose herself again, it was more cheerful, looking at pictures of the kids together, baby pictures of Maureen’s kids, and baby pictures of Lottie and Ruby together. Maureen answered all of her questions with patience and Maxi was so grateful she had her big sister to rely on.

“Oh, this was Lottie’s second dance recital, not third. I wish we lived closer, it would have been nice to have the girls in class together.” Maxi was smiling gently at the adorable little girl in the picture when they sound of a phone going off made her jump a little. It was Maureen’s and when she pulled it out, she watched her sister curiously. “It’s Charlie.” Maxi gave a wider smile, looking forward to when her husband would arrive. Weird how she had a husband…and it was Charlie. But he wasn’t a total stranger, at least. “Hey, Char—” Apparently Charlie cut her off as Maureen’s eyes met Maxi’s matching ones and the younger woman couldn’t help but smile wider. At least his personality here was very similar to his personality as she remembered him. “She’s fine, we’re looking at pictures. Yeah. Watching a movie. Uh huh. No don’t worry ab—”

Maxi suddenly squeezed her eyes shut and put a hand to her forehead, paining searing through her brain as another memory overtook her. Another fight with Charlie. This time it was about moving back home. She remembered how lonely she felt with just her daughter and her husband. She had other friends, but no one as close as her big sister. Her daughter was growing up so far away from the rest of her family! But Charlie had insisted on staying, calming Maxi with soft words and kisses. The memories of loving him were starting to worm their way into her heart, helping her to accept that she was married to him, but this memory also brought frustration. Why wouldn’t he let them just come home? If it were work related, she knew August would have done the same, but it would have frustrated her with him too. Looking up at her sister, the new memory made her even more grateful that she was here with her. This would have been so much harder if it happened with just Charlie and Ruby.

“I will. You too. Thanks, Charlie.” Maureen hung up and came back to Maxi and Maxi looked up at her with wide-eyed curiosity. “He’ll be here by lunch tomorrow. That will be nice!” Her mouth split into a wide smile as she nodded in agreement. “Yeah! Even if I don’t remember everything, at least I’ll have everyone who could help me remember in one place.” The look she gave was hopeful before she suddenly leaned over and wrapped her arms around her sister’s shoulders, hugging tight. “Thanks for being so patient with me, Maury. I’m really, really glad you’re here. I don’t think I could have gone through this without you.” She sniffled a little, tears coming back to her eyes as she held onto her sister. How could she have ever moved so far away from her?

The sound of feet on the stairs caught her attention and she pulled away from Maureen to find Drew standing there. “How are you girls doing?” Maxi smiled at him, shrugging. “Okay, I guess. I still can’t remember so much, but it’s nice to know what life’s been like.” Drew gave a sad sort of smile, his eyes noticeably darting to his wife. Maxi looked between them and sighed. “I don’t want you two to worry so much. Just keep helping me as best as you can. That’s all you can do. And the more fretting there is going on, the more obvious it’s going to be to the kids that there’s something wrong. I know they know there’s something wrong already, but I don’t want them to stress out about it too. Especially not Ruby. Okay?” She looked between her sister and brother-in-law, hoping they would understand.

[CUPCAKE]

“Yeah! Even if I don’t remember everything, at least I’ll have everyone who could help me remember in one place.” It was a nice thought, even if it was a little sad. She was glad Maxi was being optimistic at least. “Thanks for being so patient with me, Maury." The girl smiled and wrapped her arms back around her sister, nuzzling the side of her baby sisters head gently. "I’m really, really glad you’re here. I don’t think I could have gone through this without you.” She grinned gently. "You would have. You're so much stronger than you know." Drew came down to check on them and she smiled at her sweet husband. She'd been lucky to marry her best friend, to have someone so amazing love her unconditionally, especially since she hadn't always deserved such kindness.

“I don’t want you two to worry so much. Just keep helping me as best as you can. That’s all you can do. And the more fretting there is going on, the more obvious it’s going to be to the kids that there’s something wrong. I know they know there’s something wrong already, but I don’t want them to stress out about it too. Especially not Ruby. Okay?” Maxi said after her exchange with Drew, and Maureen hate to admit how right she was. She and Drew exchanged glances, somehow able to communicate with only their eyes, and simultaneously nodded. "You're right." Maureen finally said. "No more fretting." Drew agreed, his smile bordering on playful. Maxi seemed content with their response and the group decided to head on upstairs.

It was starting to get late but the kids wanted to stay up for longer, which was fine by the adults. They were all close, and young, and it wasn't like they needed to be up early for anything in the morning. Drew and Maureen on the other, would be up throughout the night tending to their little ones and wanted to head to bed. The couple wished everyone a good night and showed Maxi up to Tristan's room, though she'd been there before. The boy was going to sleep on the couch and the girls would stay in Lottie's room for the vacation. They each hugged their guest good night, Maureen lingering a moment to tell her sister how glad she was that she was there, and then left Maxi to her own devices.

---

August was sullen as he made his way up the hospital steps. He'd been up all night at work and then kept his ring on and slept for a few hours before dragging himself out of bed to go to the hospital. The summer heat was killing him as the sun bore down on his sensitive skin and the humidity in the air left him feeling sticky and sick. Summer days were definitely not his friend, but he faced them in order to visit Maxine in the hopes that she might rouse from her coma. The doctors had run dozens of tests on her but nothing seemed to pull up any type of answer, and she was showing no progress. If anything, she seemed to be going down hill. It had been three days since she'd been brought in and to say August was worried was an understatement. He wasn't always alone when he went to visit, either. Maxine seemed to have a fan club. Her friends all visited and so did her sister. The cop had another friend afflicted with the coma, but Taylor barely spoke to him, or anyone really.

The pretty young nurse was in the room when August arrived, drawing more blood. The more he watched her, the less he trusted her. There was something about her.. August didn't know what it was. She seemed tense when he was in the room, and when he wasn't in there she lingered longer. He once left while she was there and she stayed for much longer than normal. Then the other night he walked in while she was checking Maxine's vitals and she was quick to pack up and go. Maybe it was coincidence. Maybe he was paranoid because he wanted answers and was trying to find them in any way he could, but he didn't entirely trust that nurse, and the fact that she tended only the coma patients seem to set off some red flags for him as well.

---

Morning came hot and bright in the Solomon home. Tristan's room was in the front of the house and got a great deal of sun, and even though he had blinds and curtains, the sun somehow managed to peak in which had drove the teenager bonkers. Maureen was up bright and early making pancakes and bacon, and both girls were the first ta the table, followed by Drew, Maxi, and lastly Tristan who could, and would, sleep all day if you let him. Breakfast was a loud affair with three young people talking animatedly about their plans for the day, two infants whimpering and cooing and three adults trying to get words in edgewise. The McManus's were going to be over around ten and the kids wanted to go swimming until then. Drew agreed to pick Charlie up from the airport, everyone agreeing that maybe it would be best if Maxi stayed behind to hang with the family. Plus, Drew and Charlie were good friends and Drew had every intention of filling Charlie in on what was going on and what to and not to do.

It was nearly one when Drew and Charlie pulled up to the house. Maureen, Margot and Maxi had spent the last half hour making lunch for everyone while Sean watched the three older children in the pool and the babies napped. The front door opened and the two men were talking, quieting the women in the kitchen. Maureen moved close to her sister and gently nudged her towards the hall, as if to remind her to go greet her husband. Fortunately Maxi was a smart girl and she moved forward.

Charlie looked exactly like Maxi remembered him looking. His hair was cut short and spiked slightly, his eyes the same vibrant blue, his lips puffy and soft.. He was handsome and between the pair it was easy to see how Ruby had come out as beautiful as she had. He looked a little uneasy, and the red circles under his eyes told everyone that he'd had a long night of packing and preparing to come out there, even though his own flight left at noon. "Hey, baby.." He said, smiling as Maxi came to him, feeling a little unsure about everything considering what Drew had told him, but he wanted to put on a good face so Ruby wouldn't freak out as Drew had suggested. He wrapped her in a hug and then pushed her face back, looking deep into the eyes of the woman he married. "You remember me now?" He asked, almost teasing though there was pain in his eyes as he leaned in to kiss her.

[MAXINE MCMANUS]

Maxi woke up half expecting to find herself on the floor of her kitchen, looking up at August hovering over her. Instead, she woke up exactly as she’d fallen asleep. It was the last real hope she had of getting back to August. Tears welled in her eyes as she lay in her nephew’s bed for a long time. It really had been a dream…how could she love a dream so deeply? Her heart ached to think she would probably never see August again. She would look for him, but she highly doubted that he was real. Finally she composed herself again and washed her face in the bathroom. She arrived in the kitchen shortly after Drew who was planting a kiss on Maureen’s cheek as she finished up cooking pancakes and bacon. Just the smell was enough to cheer her a little, but the sight of Ruby had even stronger healing powers. She’d lost a dream, yet she had a pretty decent life from what she could tell, especially with such a beautiful and wonderful daughter. The morning passed in a blur, the kids chattering about their plans for the day, the twins cooing and fussing, and the parents offering their two cents around the breakfast table. Drew offered to pick up Charlie from the airport and Maxi’s heart jumped into her throat. Charlie Miller…her husband was coming in today. Maybe she could be back to her normal self now…The next several hours were filled with lots of family time and Maxi reacquainted herself with her nephew, her eldest niece, and her daughter. By the time a hot afternoon rolled around Maxi was feeling more relaxed than she had in a whole day.

Then the front door opened while Maxi and Maureen worked on lunch. Her whole body froze, her big sapphire eyes going wide with panic. Yes, she had remembered that she loved Charlie, but she still wasn’t used to the idea of being married to him. She’d grown up with him for goodness sake…then again, they’d grown up with Drew too. Hearing their voices, she swallowed hard, trying to gather her nerves. Suddenly there were hands on her shoulders and she jumped as she looked at the sister now nudging her towards the hall. Oh right…she had to greet her husband. With a deep breath, she composed herself and moved to the hall, hesitantly coming into view of the men. Charlie looked exactly like she remembered him. His piercing blue eyes fell on her, the smile on his puffy lips dropping a little with his own anxiety. Maxi felt her heart pounding hard in her chest, biting her bottom lip as she gazed at her very handsome husband. He looked so tired… “Hey, baby…” The greeting made her smile appear and she moved toward him slowly, still unsure of herself. When she was close enough, Charlie wrapped her in a hug and Maxi sighed softly, her own arms circling his shoulders tightly. It felt good to be hugged like this and she was almost immediately comforted. When he pulled back from her, she blushed at how close his gorgeous face was, his eyes capturing her own in an intense gaze. “You remember me now?” Even though his tone was playful, Maxi could see the pain in his eyes at having to ask her that. He was leaning closer and her heart felt like it might explode with how hard it was thudding against her ribcage. Her eyes flicked from his stunning blue eyes to his thick lips and back again, one hand rested on the back of his head. The smile on her lips grew though her eyes were a little sad as she nodded. “Of course I do.” Her words were soft and reassuring and when his lips fell against hers, she could feel his relief. Meanwhile her cheeks felt like they were on fire, her eyes slipping closed while his mouth pressed hard against hers. Her own hands rested on each of his cheeks, cupping his face affectionately. When they finally broke apart, it took a moment for her eyes to open and the smile to return to her lips, but it was a genuine smile.

Once more her arms wrapped around his neck and squeezed tightly, letting his arms comfort her. She didn’t remember yet, but now she had a better chance of doing so because the man she spent every day with was there with her. Before she could stop it, there were tears of relief in her eyes and she sniffled into her husband’s shoulder. Unlike when they were on the phone before, he didn’t tense up or getting annoyed with her—not yet anyway. Instead he just held her and she was ever-so grateful for it. There was no need to explain why she was crying; they all knew why. Finally she pulled back again, sniffling and brushing some tears away with a smile. “I’m glad you’re here, Charlie.” She smiled wider, the last of her tears falling onto her cheeks. “Ruby’s out back in the pool. She’ll be so excited to see you.”

[CUPCAKE]

Charlie was relieved when she nodded, even though she hesitated for a moment before. “Of course I do.” He grinned and leaned in to kiss her, half relieved that this wasn't as bad as he thought, but maybe a little annoyed that he rushed to get here when it might not be an emergency. Then again Drew said her memory was off, not that she didn't remember him at all. Something about an alter universe, which was nuts, but then again Maxi had a way of being a little dramatic. At least in Charlie's eyes. He lingered at her lips a moment, deciding he was just going to enjoy this early vacation despite what was up with Maxi. Whatever was going she remembered him, and that was important, even if Drew said she didn't remember the wedding or having Ruby. Ruby was Maxi's entire world, the thought of her forgetting the kid just seemed off in itself.

She ended their kiss with a hug and he held her back, feeling how tightly she held him. She was upset.. The gentle sound of sniffling encouraged his arms to wrap tighter around her small frame, pressing his face gently to the side of her head and smelling her familiar scent. “I’m glad you’re here, Charlie.” She said after a long moment, pulling back to smile and brush her face free of tears. He forced a smile, though he felt worried suddenly. "Me too." He replied unsure how glad he was just yet as unease sank into his stomach. Maybe she was just glad to see him. Maybe this had nothing to do with her memory. They had their problems, but it didn't lessen their love for one another. “Ruby’s out back in the pool. She’ll be so excited to see you.” He gave a nod and leaned in to peck her cheek before moving on. He gave Maureen a big hug as he went past, kissing her cheek in welcome. She had always been like a sister to him, and he did the same to Margot. "Hey, mom." He greeted . She returned the greeting and he moved outside with a last glance at Maxi before heading towards the kids. Ruby's shriek was heard before the door was completely shut, and Maureen could see the soaking wet girl climb out of the pool and run to hug her father who surprisingly didn't scold her for getting him all wet. Tristan and Lottie swam to the edge and got out themselves, welcoming their uncle, water dripping off their young, lean frames and making the pavement around the pool darken in color. Sean wasn't far behind, offering his son-in-law a handshake. "Let's finish up in here and we can take the food outside." Maureen suggested. The girls agreed and finished preparing the meal, Maureen swatting Drew's behind when he stole a couple of cookies, chastising him and telling him to go hang out outside.

Lunch was nice, and Charlie, for the most part, behaved himself. He made no comment about Maxi's memory loss, though it was clear he was paying close attention to her and to what she was saying. The kids seemed to, for the most part, be oblivious to this. They chattered about going to the zoo and the beach and drawing comics together. Margot and Sean offered to watch the twins so the adults could go on these excursions with the older kids without being weighed down by diaper bags and strollers, which everyone agreed would be nice. Margot sat close to Maxi, keeping her hand on her daughters when they sat and chatted after they all ate. When they were finished Maureen asked the children to bring everything inside and suggested maybe they could all go swimming for a bit. The kids moaned and groaned a little but did as they were asked since they wanted to get back into the water.

"Mind if we have a few minutes alone?" Charlie asked and no one seemed to mind. He smiled before taking Maxi's hand and pulling her inside past the kids, who were trying to decide who had to do the dishes, and then led her upstairs. He brought her to Tristan's room and sat her down on the bed, sitting beside her. "What's going on, Max?" He asked, his voice bordering between concerned and firm. "No one seems to really know what the hell's going on with you. You forgetting Ruby and our wedding and moving to England and stuff.. I don't get it."

[MAXINE MCMANUS]

Charlie brushed away some of her tears and Maxi smiled wider for him. When he leaned in to peck her cheek, she blushed more, but closed her eyes and enjoyed the feeling. It was such an affectionate gesture, one she would probably have to get used to from Charlie. He moved on to greet Maureen and Margot. “Hey, mom.” It was sweet that he called her own mother mom and she felt herself relaxing a bit more. As they all moved toward the back porch, Maxi caught Charlie’s gaze back at her with a reassuring smile. Of course he would be worried about her, but it still felt nice to have Charlie so concerned. The Charlie she had known had been very hot and cold, and still seemed so here, yet he genuinely cared for her at least. One foot outside and a shriek caught her ear. Ruby was climbing out of the pool, water slapping off her tiny, lean body as she launched for her father. Maxi had to laugh gently as Charlie scooped their daughter up in a big hug. She also watched as Lottie and Tristan came over to greet their uncle, followed by Sean coming forward with a handshake. It was a heartwarming sight and Maxi smiled from ear to ear before her sister called her back to attention. “Let’s finish up in here and we can take the food outside.” Maxi nodded eagerly and followed her sister back into the kitchen, laughing as Maureen slapped Drew’s butt for stealing cookies.

The lunch was nice and Maxi allowed herself to get comfortable next to her husband, her hand twining in his when possible. They all talked about going to the zoo while Margot and Sean babysat the twins and Maxi looked forward to doing so. She hadn’t been to the zoo in forever! It was nice to sit around and chat with her whole family. She never would have pictured being able to do this in her other memory. With her parents long dead, she had long since accepted the fact that there would be no family get-togethers that would include them in her adulthood. When they were all done eating, Maureen asked the kids to help clean up and Maxi planned to join in too, but Charlie had other plans. “Mind if we have a few minutes alone?” Nobody did and Maxi smiled at Charlie as he took her hand even though her heart was racing. A few minutes alone with a husband she couldn’t really remember marrying. They headed upstairs and into Tristan’s room, the apparent guest room. She shut the door behind them so they could really have some privacy. Charlie led her to the bed and sat down beside her, a serious and concerned look on his face.

“What’s going on, Max? No one seems to really know what the hell’s going on with you. You forgetting Ruby and our wedding and moving to England and stuff…I don’t get it.” Maxi shook her head, her big eyes falling to her hands now in something between guilt and shame. “I don’t really know either. I tried to explain it to Maureen, but…well, it sounds crazy. It’s like I remember little snippets of my life with you and Ruby, but most of my memory is different than what’s really true. Or what I think is true…Like I remember my parents dying when I was eighteen. They got caught in a storm system out on the bay and they were swept out to sea and disappeared. Maureen was with them, but she survived and didn’t come back into my life until twenty-five years later. And I never told you how I felt about you…I wasn’t married, I had no children…But I know that can’t be right because I’m starting to remember things of my life now.” Her hands came to her head and she sighed, sweeping her hands through her long, red hair in frustration. “I know it sounds crazy and I feel like I’m going crazy. Or went crazy…I don’t even know. I can’t explain it.” When she looked at him again, her eyes were glittering with tears once more. “And I know how much I’m hurting everybody by not being able to remember, but I can’t fix it. It’s only coming back in fragments.” She sniffled and wiped at her eyes again, brushing her tears onto her shorts. “Sorry I’m so weepy, I’m just…really, really confused.” Her wet eyes came back to his and she forced a smile to her mouth.

[CUPCAKE]

“I don’t really know either. I tried to explain it to Maureen, but…well, it sounds crazy. It’s like I remember little snippets of my life with you and Ruby, but most of my memory is different than what’s really true. Or what I think is true…" He'd gotten that, but it still wasn't making sense to him. Why couldn't she remember? Maxi went through some of the things she recalled that didn't make sense, like her parents being dead and Maureen missing for twenty-five years. It seemed outrageous to him, and he wondered how she'd even thought of something so dumb. The worst was she never came clean to him about liking him. She'd been in love with him before he even knew it! Or so she'd said. Why wouldn't she tell him? His brow creased. She had told him. They'd told each other.

Tears trickled down her cheeks and he felt mixed feelings towards them. He wanted to console her, but he was hurt and angry. Deep down he knew it wasn't her fault, she wasn't intentionally trying to hurt him, or Ruby, or anyone, she was simply confused and he needed to get her back on track. she was his wife, after all, and technically she was sick. “And I know how much I’m hurting everybody by not being able to remember, but I can’t fix it. It’s only coming back in fragments.” He gave a short nod, looking at her hands now as he himself tried to figure out what to do for her. “Sorry I’m so weepy, I’m just…really, really confused.” Her smile was halfhearted as he looked back up at her and he gave a sigh. How could he stay upset with her? His patience was short, but his love was deep. They'd been best friends for years, even as kids they got on great. She needed him now.

"I know, baby." He said softly, reaching and pulling her into him, half hugging her, half cradling her. "I'm going to help you get through all this though, alright?" He lifted her chin up and kissed her, his lips lingering on hers for a second before he pulled away and grinned down. "Maybe I can help jog some of that memory of yours. You remember our first official date?" He asked, his smile turning more mischievous. "Ooor.. how I proposed?" He playfully pushed her onto her back and laid beside her, half hovering over her. "Or that time your mom and dad almost walked in on us because you refused to move in with me before the stupid wedding?" He teased a hand resting on her lower abdomen while his head tilted to the side, gazing into her dark eyes. "Or the time your sister actually did walk in on us and laughed before shutting the door?" He rolled his eyes and leaned down, playfully nipping at her neck until she shrieked with laughter. "What do you want to know, Maximilian?"

[MAXINE MCMANUS]

“I know, baby.” Maxi still found it strange to have Charlie Miller calling her “baby,” but it was soothing all the same. Even more soothing was the feel of his arm coming around her shoulders and pulling her into him. He smelled good and he was warm and Maxi could feel more tears brimming in her eyes at the sweet gesture. Soon both of his arms were holding her and she rested her forehead against his neck and tried to let go of her anxiety. “I’m going to help you get through all this though, alright?” Could he help her? She had hoped that just the sight of him would stir something, but she was almost as lost now as she had been before he arrived. He nudged her back, his hand cupping her chin and lifting her face to his. Her heart was racing and her cheeks were flushing as his warm, plump lips pressed against hers. His kiss lingered and butterflies were still dancing around her stomach when they pulled apart. She took a moment to open her eyes and when she did Charlie was grinning at her. “Maybe I can help jog some of that memory of yours. You remember out first official date?” She didn’t, but his mischievous smile drew out her own curious one. “Ooor…how I proposed?” She wished she did, and while her heart ached in her chest, it was hard to deny Charlie as he started to push her back to the bed. That made her giggle even as butterflies surged through her core, feeling more like a swarm of excited bees. He was hovering over her when she looked up at him, biting her lip through her wide smile. She never thought she would be in this position with Charlie! “Or that time your mom and dad almost walked in on us because you refused to move in with me before the stupid wedding?” She giggled, still biting her lip as she flushed. How embarrassing! His hand on her abdomen sent a shock through her and she wondered where this was going to end up. Would Maureen walk in on them? “Or that time your sister actually did walk in on us and laughed before shutting the door?” Well, if her sister walked in on them now, at least it wouldn’t be the first time! The thought made her flush deeper as Charlie leaned down and buried his face in her neck, nipping playfully. She laughed out of instinct, but her gut was clenching in excitement. She started to feel guilty for doing this with Charlie when she reminded herself that he was her husband—she was allowed to enjoy it.

“What do you want to know, Maximilian?” No one but Jamie had called her that in years. August had his own pet names for her and they were sweet and endearing, but Maximilian was an old, heartwarming name to her. It reminded her how long she had known Charlie. He knew things about her that August would never know. No…he could never know…because he wasn’t real…She turned her head, finding Charlie’s eyes and holding them in a warm gaze for half a dozen thudding heartbeats. Her hand came up to rest against his smooth cheek, brushing back until she reached his short, dark hair. With a wider smile, her fingers slipped into the strands, glancing to his lips and then back to his piercing blue eyes. “Everything.” And with that soft, simple answer, she planted her lips against his again. She was flushed, but she could remember the deep love she had felt for Charlie in her memories. Even arguing, she had loved him. She knew a dormant part of her still loved him—she just had to wake it. He leaned into her lips more and she returned the gesture by kissing him harder, her hand gripping his hair to keep him close. Her free arm wrapped around his shoulders while her hips and legs moved to allow him to rest between them more easily.

Before long their tongues were dancing lithely across each other. Maxi let herself be swept up in the moment, her heart throbbing and her body flushing like it was her first time. Without her memory, it certainly felt like her first time with Charlie. But even though she was uncertain exactly who she was and the life she had lived, she was the same tease she’d always been. Her lips pulled back enough to taunt his, her smile brushing against his mouth as she spoke. “How did you propose to me? That’s one memory still loading in this broken head of mine.” She searched his eyes, hopeful and curious, a coy smile on her lips.