“What barbecue was that?”

Gretchen’s face was pure bliss. “Fourth of July, Caleb’s first. I’m sorry I missed it, baby. I hope you still had it. You were so excited to show him fireworks.”

Jax’s stomach dropped. Her face heated up, and her hands started to shake. She felt like she was going to throw up.

“Who is in the room with us right now, Gretchen?”

“The gorgeous one behind you is my wife, and the worried one next to me is my sister.” Gretchen cleared her throat roughly. “I’m surprised Mom’s not here telling me what I did wrong.”

Amanda grabbed her hand tightly. “Gretchen—”

“Oh my God, Gretchen!” Wyatt’s voice boomed in the room.

“Mama!” Caleb got away from Wyatt and dashed to Gretchen’s beside. Jax was too slow to stop him.

Gretchen stared at Caleb in a panic. She backed away from his tiny hands as he reached for her and tried to climb on her bed. “I don’t—who?”

“Hey, Cricket, come over here by Bug for a bit. Mama’s still a little tired.”

“That’s not Caleb,” Gretchen said softly.

“It’s me, Mama.”

“No…Caleb is a baby.”

“I’m your baby!”

“You’re not my baby.”

“Come on.” Jax forcibly pulled Caleb from Gretchen’s bed and held him. He started to cry instantly and slammed his little fists into Jax’s shoulders. “It’s okay, Caleb.”

“Mama’s being mean.”

“No, no.” Jax rubbed calming circles on Caleb’s back to little success. “She’s just a little confused after getting hurt.”

“I’m not confused. I know my son. I know my wife. What is going on? What have you done to me?” Gretchen’s voice cracked as she struggled to yell at Dr. Melendez.

“Gretchen, I need you to calm down.” Dr. Melendez tried to grab Gretchen’s hand, only to be swatted away.

“You calm down.”

“You suffered a head injury,” Dr. Melendez said. “Your memories are a bit mixed up. Are you sure that was the last thing you remember? Try again.”

Gretchen watched Jax rubbing Caleb’s back. “Where is your ring? Why aren’t—” Gretchen’s expression went blank.

“Gretchen?” Jax started toward the bed.

Gretchen’s eyes rolled back, and she started thrashing.

“She’s seizing. I need a nurse in here!” Dr. Melendez moved Gretchen onto her side.

Jax turned Caleb away and stepped out of the room. She looked on as medical personnel worked on Gretchen. She held Caleb tightly, absorbing his shrill cries with her body. She wanted to erase it all. She wanted to make it go away.

* * *

Peace. Finally, some peace. I can still hear Jax’s voice somewhere in the distance, through all the fog. I need to follow it. I need to find her. I can feel the safety of her in my chest, blossoming as warmth. The more I focus on finding her, the brighter the glow surrounding me becomes. I have to find her and Caleb. I know my life with them. Where are they? I can’t see anything, but I can hear them. Focus, Gretchen, and think. Find a way back to them, to the life I know, the life I love…