The Mafia's Maiden

Welcome

It wasn't long until Max came back. I know I had just seen him but when he opened and walked through the door it was like seeing him all over again for the first time. He stood tall and his eyes were still so striking. He took the chair that was in the room and put it close to my bedside and sat down.

"You asked for me?"

"I hope you weren't busy. I didn't mean to interrupt-"

"I will stop everything for you." He seemed like he was going to reach for my hand, but decided against it and leaned back into his seat.

"I've been thinking and decided that I accept your proposal."

"Why?" Why!? I thought he wanted this?

"What do you mean?" I ask trying not to sound offended and a bit distraught.

"I mean why do you want to marry me?" His eyes pierced into mine and all I could do was shut my eyes so that I could focus and give him an answer. "Why do you accept?" He asked again. I could hear the beeping getting faster and the sound became deafening until he rose and turned off the machine. The nurse came in to check and with one look he sent her on her way. He sat back down and asked again, causing me to shout out in frustration.

"Because I'm scared! Because I'm not sure about anything. It's been three years! Three years! I don't know anything anymore, other than I'm terrified and that you seem like someone I can trust enough to help me learn the things that are important!" I could feel tears streaming from my face and I couldn't help but feel more as I struggled to clear them. I kept them shut and suddenly felt a soft fabric press against my cheek, drying my tears. I opened them to see him drying them and looking back into my eyes.

"Okay, Amore. We can get married, but I must apologize in advance."

"About what?"

"I may be a good guy, but that doesn't mean I do good things." Before I could question him, he leaned over and placed his lips on mine. They were soft and needy, the sensation made me feel like my toes could curl and it took my breath away. He let go and stood back up when there was a knock on the door. The man in the white coat came peeking his head through the door.

"Doctor Chavez come in I have questions," Max said sternly causing him to hustle in and closed the door behind him. He gave me another look over asking me how I was feeling and then stepped back to address us both.

"Well, Miss...do you have something you would like us to call you?" I had forgotten that I didn't have a name. I stared at the doctor blankly before looking over to Max with the same doe-eyed look.

"Olivia," I said.

"Do you remember your name?" The doctor asked surprised.

"No. It just seems like a good name. I kind of think I look like one, although I'm not sure how I know that."

"Thats what I'm here to talk about. I looked at your brain scans and aside from the common things I expect to see from coma patients your scans are normal which leads me to believe that you have dissociative amnesia. This means that you are able to recall the everyday things like how many months there are in a year-"

"12" I spoke excitedly for some reason.

"Exactly, but things like who you are, or the people you were close to, childhood until now memories have not come back. I believe this is because your mind is purposely trying to shield you from the trauma you may have experienced."

"So are you saying I'm keeping myself from remembering who I am?"

"In a way, yes. This means that one day they can come back or they might never come back, it all really depends on you." He adjusted the glasses on his face and I just laid there and stared upwards needing a minute to digest everything he just said.

"What's next for her now that she has awakened?"

"Physical therapy to start to help her move again and possibly therapy to help with her memory but that's a choice she will have to make."

"When can I take her home?"

"I say in three weeks if she keeps up with her PT, the rest after that is up to you two."

"Thank you doctor"

"Let me know if you need anything...Olivia." The doctor left and Max came back to my side.

"I'll be here when I can while you recover. I have the family business to run and I'll let my family know that you'll be arriving soon. Take as much time as you need, don't push yourself too hard." His phone rang and took it out of his pocket and made his way for the door.

"Don't leave" I manage to choke out. There was a lump in my throat that made it nearly impossible to breathe. I can't believe this is happening. He stopped his phone from ringing and then sat back down in the chair pulling himself closer to my side.

"Just rest. I'll be here while you think about everything."

***

Three weeks later

"You seem practically normal. It's hard to believe you just woke up. Now no running any marathons any time soon and remember to take your time and ease back into life. If everything is going well I'll see you again in a month for a check-up."

"Thank you, Dr. Chavez" I stretched out my hand for him to shake. It was one of the first things I relearned how to do and this simple gesture seemed like a good way to mark the end of this journey with him. Max grabbed the bag he had brought me a few weeks back that contained clothing he had also purchased for me, well that he made someone purchase for me.

He was true to his word about being here although just because he was here doesn't mean that he was here, he tended to be absent-minded and kept to himself most of the time. It has been three weeks and I know as much about him as I did myself. When we talked it was about mundane things, things you talk about with strangers to keep up conversations. We hadn't even really spent time alone together because he really only came by during my physical therapy and for breakfast and lunch, during the evenings he said he was handling business and would be too tired to come back to see me. It didn't bother me, I actually enjoyed the space as I felt like I was starting to form a personality and figure out some of the things I like and don't.

We make it to the elevator and after a few seconds, we arrive on the main floor to exit. I hadn't realized I'd been underground and it wasn't until the elevator went up that I noticed. I hadn't been outside or even felt the sun on my skin since I had woken. I didn't really think about it, at one point I had asked about going outside but they said they'd have to ask Max if it was okay and I didn't feel like bothering him. I couldn't remember what the sun felt like so I figured I'd just wait until I left, like now. The elevator doors opened and the sun that was coming through the exit door was almost blinding.

Max and the other guy who joined us on this level seemed unbothered by it and kept moving forward, being so close to feeling the sun on my skin I kept pushing forward. When the other guy opened the door Max put his arm around my waist and pulled me closer to him as we exited. We stepped outside and the sun penetrated my skin causing the hairs on my arms to stand. I felt like I was getting hit with a source of energy I didn't know I needed that I couldn't move.

Max had tightened his grip and practically lifted me and shoved me into the black vehicle that was parked right in front. I was too surprised to fight him and it was until the door closed which stopped the light from touching me that I realized what was happening. Max entered the car from the other side and buckled in and the other guy who joined us was the one driving. Max told him to head home and the man started driving. I wanted to yell at him but when I looked over to him to give him an earful he gave me this look that scared me silent.

When I backed down he seemed to loosen his posture and became more soft-hearted that it gave me whiplash. We drove for what felt like hours and arrived at what seemed like a castle with a lot of security and a lot of land. It took another couple of minutes after we arrived to head down the pathway to this house in the distance. As we got closer I was right about it being a castle, the walls were completely covered in stone and the windows seemed like they have been there for hundred years. There were three armed guards on top and another four on the ground level.

The driver pulled right to the front door where one of the men came forward and opened the door for Max. Max got out and then came around to get me instructing one of the men to grab my bag. Another one of the guys held the entrance door open for us and before I could take another step Max swept me off my feet and was cradling me in his arms before proceeding through the doors. I was stunned by the huge interior, this room had stairs leading to the upstairs and four paths that lead to another direction of the house and behind the stairs was a wide entrance that led into the back of the castle.

There were people roaming all over and some would take quick glances at us before rushing on with whatever they are doing. Max didn't let me down instead he walked me up the stairs and down the hallway on the left and stopped at the first door. He managed to open it and push us inside. I looked around and realized that this must be his bedroom. He set me down and then put his arm around me.

"Welcome home Amore"