"So why didn't we?" He quizzed.
Leonica let out a sigh and glanced at her son. "It was important." She answered, hoping he wouldn't press the matter any further. "More important than me?" He questioned.
"Of course not," Leonica answered, shaking her head and leaning forward to stare at her son. "Never more important than you." Ather w words, Ashley looked away and downcast his eyes, a sign that he was upset.
I Mo. Theyre Thong To Control Hom "Hey," Leonica called, tilting his chin up to meet his gaze. "Don't think that. You're very important to me, more than anything, okay? It's just." She hesitated, glancing in the direction where Anastasia stood, sipping on her cup of coffee while giving her the nasty look. She offered an apologetic smile, both to her son and best friend. "I had to help Owen on something" Ashley's entire expression brightened at the mention of the familiar name. "Owen? Is something wrong?" He asked.
"No, not at all. At least not something I can't handle." She told him and once again placed a kiss on his forehead. "Mommy can handle everything?" Ashley tentatively asked.
"Yeah, I'm Larissa, aren't I?" "Including daddy?" He quizzed, the smile fading.
Now, at his question, Leonica fell silent, unable to cup with a suitable answer.
When can I see daddy? You said we'll talk about it today." "And that we would." Leonica said as she picked the child up and places him on her lap. "You see," She paused and briefly thought of a way to break things easily to him. "Daddy sustained serious injuries before he had been hospitalized..." The rest of her words trailed off as Ashley gasped as his eyes watered.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt"Is daddy dead? Is that why you don't wantseeing him?" "What? No, of course not, your daddy is alright. It's just... He had amnesia." "Amnesia? What's that?" He asked, his head tilted to the side in confusion "It's a condition in which the patient can't recall memories." She gently said and watched as her words soaked in before adding. "You daddy can't remember a lot of things." "Including me?" The child asked after his mother's words has sung in you. In fact, he has Leonica nodded her head. "Yes, but," She quickly added when she saw the tears gathering in his eyes. "He knows of you. In f a picture of us, from when you guys went gaming, remember that?" She asked. Ashley nodded his head.
"Yeah, well, daddy has a picture of us two, but doesn't have the memory of when it was taken. So he wants to meet you and try and create new memories." "But what about his old memories? Doesn't he want them back?" "That's up to him, Ash." Leonica told her child, who has suddenly gotten curious about the entire matter. "But, he still wants to see you. Do you want to see him?" Ashley quickly nodded at her question. "I'll help daddy create wonderful memories." Leonica smiled and patted the child's head. "I'm sure you will. So let's go tomorrow, okay?" "Alright," "Anastasia's voice filled the empty space and made both Leonica and Ashley turn their attention to her. "It's high tyou both head home. I'll love your company, but I'm not gonna get anything done with you both around." She said, nudging her head in the direction of her study which had piling court cases.
Leonica sighed and got up from her seat, placing her son on his feet and taking his hand. "Con, sweetie. Say goodbye." "Goodnight aunt Annie." Ashley greeted and hugged his godmother.
"Good night sweetheart, have a good sleep and behave for your mother." Ashley nodded and walked off to retrieve his things, leaving the two woman allone "You're really lucky I love the kid." A Anastasia stated.
"I know," Leonica smiled. "I'll try to make it up to you." "Please do, you've got a lot to explain.
"Yeah, I'm aware." Leonica said as she leaned in and kissed her best friend's check, bidding her goodbye as soon as Ashley returned Do It For Ashley's Sake.
Anastasia stood by her window, watching as Leonica and Ashley got into their car, the former stopping to wave her goodbye, to which she waved back even though she couldn't be seen, before they drove off Watching the vehicle drive away, she heard the sound of her phone ringing from her study. She moved towards it, mumbling underneath her breath how much she hated answering clients late in the night while having extra work to do, you know, stuffs that only lawyers could understand.
By the tshe had arrived at her study and located her phone from underneath a pile of growing client cases, the phone was on its second ring. Taking a moment, she studied the unknown number calling, brows furrowing as she tried to recall which of her clients had this number.
After much trying and pondering, Anastasia answered the phone by the third call.
"Attorney Johansson speaking "She said once the phone had been pressed again her car.
However, the voice that greeted her was one she was not expecting and very much not that of her client.
"Attorney Johansson, that sure does have a nice ring to it." The familiar voice spoke, having a slight purr at the end.
Anastasia narrowed her eyes at the wall in front of her, fighting her brain to remember where she had heard the voice. The answer wasn't too far away from her and soon, it clicked in place.
"Riley?" She questioned.
"The one and only," CLloyd's answer, although he wasn't to pleased about the fact that she had addressed him by his last name, rather than his first.
"How the hell did a womanizer like you get my phone number? Anastasia questioned and he could almost hear the displeasure dripping from her voice.
Chuckling, he feigned hurt, placing his hand on his chest from wherever it is he was in. "A womanizer, huh. That doesn't seem to bet the right title to addresswith And It's a secret, one I'm not willing to disclose to you, yet." He teased. Anastasia scoffed and rolled her eyes, deciding that his flirtatious attitude was going to get him nowhere with her.
"Alright, suit yourself." She huffed, grabbing her cup of coffee and sipping from it, only to make a sour face as she realized that it has long gone cold. "Now, what do you want? I have a shit load of work to do, so if you're looking for another girl toy to flirt with, I suggest you look elsewhere." "My, My, aren't you bring a little rough. Did I say something to upset you?" Lloyd joked, still beating around the bush.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm"Your whole existence annoys me." Anastasia hissed.
Lloyd chucided. "That's not very nice, is it?" "I don't care. Now, I repeat, what do you want?" The Lloyd's chuckle cto a halt at her question and finally decided to stop messing around. "To discuss." His vague way of answering had Anastasia's brows furrowing. "Discuss what?" She questioned as she picked up her coffee mug and walked to the kitchen, pouring the old one out with an intent to brew a fresh set "Gabriel's condition. I'm sure you've heard about it." "Sure have, but what does that have to do with me? Gabriel's Leonica's problem. As much as she would hate to admit that." She mumbled the last part, but Lloyd heard and nodded in understanding "He is," He said. "But I think she'll need help with him." He added, expressing the thoughts that had been running through his head ever since this morning.
"And why would that be?" When her question went unanswered for a few seconds, she added. "You really think Leo can't handle a simple memory loss? Heck, even Ash found his way of handling it." "Ashley knows about this?" It was Lloyd's turn to ask the question this taround.
Anastasia nodded her head, even though she knew he couldn't see her. "Leonica told the kid this evening." She sighed when she thought back to the fresh memory. "Poor kid." It she could see Lloyd, then she would have seen him nodding in agreement with her. Lloyd and Anastasia, well, Anastasia alone, didn't seem to like him, it was clear. But one thing they would forever be on the spage for, was their Godson They shared his joy and sorrow.
"Look, Anastasia," Lloyd started, and his voice beca lot softer than his usual playful tone. "I know Leonica's capable of handling Gabe, she did it for two whole years, so it won't be any different to her right now. Memory loss or not. The person I'm worried about is Ashley. He's still a kid and something like this, I doubt he'd be able to fully understand it." "Ash is a smart kid, and Leo explained the whole thing to him." Anastasia informed, tapping her fingers on the kitchen island as she waited for her water to boll to her preferred tea temperature.
"Did she really explain, or did she try and sugar coat the situation?" At his question, Anastasia went silent. "What is it you actually want?" she asked after a few seconds.
"Well, aside from a date with you," He chuckled playfully when she groaned at his answer. "Meeting and om discussing ways to help Gabriel regain his memories, would be nice." Anastasia sighed, and took the whistling pot from the stove, pouring the hot water into a mug. Look, I understand you have good intentions, but..." 'Do it for Ashley's sake, if nothing else." Lloyd added "Fine." "Anastasia agreed after once again recalling the saddened face of Ashley when Leonica had broken the news to him. "But only because Ashley's involved." "Good. And you know, maybe this can be a good opportunity for us to get to know each other and maybe, you know, get something going?" Anastasia rolled her eyes. "In your dreams, Riley." She replied, ending the call before the man could get another word out The next day at the hospital, Gabriel was concluding his discharge condition and date with ctor Bailey when there was a knock on the door and two familiar faces walked in.
"See, I told you he'll survive that much." Lloyd said as he gently slapped Christian's chest, earning an annoyed grunt from the older male. He however, laughed it off and approached Gabriel, pulling him into a hug. "Good to see you're well." He said, giving the other male a pat on the back Gabriel nodded his head and gave his best friend a warm smile, before moving to Christian who gave him a gently slap on the shoulder "It's nice seeing you're not dying. For now." Christian joked, making everyone laugh, including Gabriel who's laugh was more of a Nervous one.
"Yeah, like I'd ever die before you." He joked Christian let out a snort, his lips forming a small grin. "Don't challenge me."
"Alright boys, "Doctor Bailey, who had been standing by and watching the friendly reunion, decided to step in "Mr. Bryce, here's the prescription you need to be taking for the meantand your paper of discharge would be ready in two days." He said, handing over the papers and the pill bottle to Gabriel. "Until then, rest up as best as you can." Gabriel nodded his head. "Will do." With his answer, Doctor Bailey dismissed himself, leaving the group of three friends and two visitors behind.
"So," Lloyd clapped his hands together, gaining the attention of the rest. "I take it that everything's M working perfectly well up there," He pointed towards Gabriel's head. "And only memories of the past ten years have been messed up?"