The Day He Came Back

“I’m gonna be okay. Although, the mutation I have also greatly increases the risk for ovarian cancer. So my doctors recommend that I have my ovaries taken out, too, as soon as I finish having kids. That’s something else I may have to deal with.”

A rush of panic hit me.

“Oh my God. The color just drained from your face,” she said. “I’m fine, Gavin. I’ll be fine.”

I was sweating. “I can’t fathom the thought of anything happening to you.”

She reached up to gently kiss my cheek. “It probably won’t.”

“What can I do?”

“Nothing.”

“I was thinking maybe I could knock you up, give you lots of babies so you can get your ovaries out.”

She laughed, and I did, too, though I wasn’t really kidding. I’d start a family with her in a heartbeat. I couldn’t wait for that day.

“I think we have a little time, Gav.”

“You think I’m crazy, don’t you?”

“No.” She smiled. “I think you love me.”CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE* * *RAVEN

FOUR MONTHS LATERThe past few months had felt like torture. Gavin and I spoke on the phone every night, catching up on everything we’d missed in each other’s lives over the years. But even though we were in constant contact after that whirlwind week in London, every second we were apart thereafter killed me.

Today, butterflies had replaced the frustration, though. As I peered out the window that overlooked the driveway, my body filled with anticipation. Gavin would be arriving any minute for his second visit to Florida since my London trip.

The first time he’d come back here, he was only able to stay a week. This time, he planned to stay a month. I could hardly contain my excitement.

When I spotted the black Mercedes pulling into the driveway, I ran down the stairs. When I opened the front door, Gavin was already out of the car. Without even grabbing his luggage, he ran to me and lifted me in the air. I wrapped my legs around his waist and cried tears of joy.

We became attached at the lips as an evening breeze from the ocean joined us in celebration. Several minutes passed before we came up for air.

“I missed you so fucking much,” he said. “Let’s go upstairs. Now.”

He didn’t put me down, instead flipping me so my back rested in his arms. Leaving his luggage behind, he carried me straight up the stairs to one of the guest bedrooms. Thankfully, Mr. M was with the night nurse, because we were going to be in there for a while.***The next morning, Gavin came into his father’s room after breakfast. He hadn’t had a chance to see him last night since Mr. M had fallen asleep by the time we’d emerged from our little sex den.

“Hey, Dad.”

Mr. M squinted. “Who are you?”

My heart clenched. I had feared this would happen. Over the past few months, things had deteriorated with his memory, to the point where the majority of the time, he didn’t really know who I was. But his memory of Renata had been one of the last things to go.

Gavin sat down next to him. “It’s Gavin.”

“I’m Gunther.”

“I know.” He went to reach for his father’s hand, then stopped himself, probably unsure whether that would scare him. “You don’t know who I am?”

Mr. M shook his head. “No.”

“That’s okay. It doesn’t matter.”

“Why are you here?”

“Well, I came to visit you, and I also came to visit my girlfriend.” Gavin pointed to me. “Do you know who that is?”

Gunther looked toward me. “No.”

Gavin didn’t seem surprised. I’d already told him his dad no longer called me Renata most days.

“That’s her…my girlfriend.”

“She’s beautiful.”

“Thank you. I’m very much in love with her.”

“I was in love once,” Mr. M said.

Gavin smiled. “Really?”

“Yes.”

“What was her name?”

“Renata.”

Gavin’s eyes widened as he looked over at me. “Tell me about her.”

“She was beautiful. And she took care of me.”

“What else?”

“She listened to me.”

“Where is she?”

He blinked several times, then finally said, “She died.”

I looked at Gavin, shocked that his father somehow remembered. That was the strange thing about his condition. You never knew when glimpses of long-term memory would sneak in.

“I’m so sorry,” Gavin said.

“Who are you?”

Gavin briefly closed his eyes. “I’m your son.”

“I don’t know you.”

“I know. But that’s okay. You don’t remember me, but I’m your son, and I love you. And that’s my girlfriend, Raven. She’s your nurse.”

He raised his brows. “You’re messing around with my nurse?”

“Yes.”

“Good for you.”

I couldn’t help but laugh.

“Thank you. I’m pretty proud of that, too.”

We sat in silence for a bit as Mr. M’s eyes fluttered. It looked like he was about to conk out, but then he surprised us both when he suddenly looked up.

“Gavin?”

“Yes.” He placed his hand on top of his father’s. “Yes, Dad. It’s me.”

“Such a good boy.”

“I’m here from London. I’m staying for a month.”

“Where’s Weldon?”

Gavin looked at me, relief filling his eyes. “He’s in California. He sends his love.”