Don’t Forget to Remember Me (46 page)

The afternoon was warm and I was thankful
that I’d worn the short yellow dress made of cool linen, sleeveless
and about 4 inches above my knees. Most of my things were either in
New York or packed up already but Ellie made sure I had something
appropriate for the graduation and a pair of jean shorts and
t-shirt for tomorrow’s drive.

I was excited to start my
life with Ryan. He turned to meet my eyes before he sat down,
puckering his full lips in a little silent kiss and winking with a
devilish gleam in his eyes. Butterflies buzzed around my insides
and my lips split in a huge smile. Blushing, I couldn’t do a damn
thing about it. Even in this gargantuan moment, he was thinking
about me. So handsome, his eyes sparkled and flashing a full smile,
the dimples in his cheeks were enough to make my knees go
weak
.

Elyse nudged me with her shoulder. “Ryan
looks so happy,” she whispered as the ceremony continued.

I squeezed her hand. “Is it just me or is he
the most beautiful thing you’ve ever seen?”

“Oh, Julia. I love you,” Elyse’s voice
thickened on the words. “I just love how much you love my son.”

“I can’t help it, Elyse. He’s worked so
hard. They both have. They’ll want to party hard tonight!”

Elyse chuckled and nodded. “Gabe’s exact
words, but I don’t think Ryan’s mood is only due to graduation. We
missed you at brunch,” she teased knowingly. I had the grace to
flush. I would gladly spend every moment in Ryan’s arms.
Nevertheless, the heat infusing underneath the skin of my chest and
face gave me away.

“Your son is very…um…persuasive.” I offered
a cheeky grin and a slight shrug.

Her smile widened and she laughed again with
a nod. “A gift he acquired from his father. There’s no use but to
give in, when he makes up his mind.”

Elyse looked stunning in a light mauve
brocade jacket over a solid dress in the same shade. Her hair was
up in a smooth chignon and her make-up impeccable; always so
perfectly groomed. Gabriel was distinguished and polished, with the
same blue eyes that I loved on his son. Both of them were so
beautiful, it was no wonder Ryan turned out to be so gorgeous.

My parents were beaming. This was the most
relaxed I’d seen them with each other since before their divorce. I
didn’t think my father would ever get over his bitterness, but
after my accident, the abyss between them seemed to close. All was
right in my world, even if those few months of my memory were still
missing

The sweet spring air, ripe with the scent of
lilacs and freshly cut grass filled my lungs. The sky was brilliant
blue, dotted with billowing white clouds and the temperature was
perfect. I glanced toward where Ryan and Aaron were sitting. Aaron
shoved his index finger under the edge of his mortar board to
scratch his temple, sweat beading and dripping down the side of his
face. Ryan shifted and dropped his head. The bored look on his face
told me he was anxious for the proceedings to end.

There were many rows of black and red robes
of graduates and faculty in front of us. The graduation was on one
of the larger lawns of the medical school grounds, with beautiful
limestone buildings on three sides. Manicured and extremely
elegant.

After nearly two hours, the graduating class
was finally announced and we were all filing out. My heels sank
into the lawn slightly which made walking awkward. Jenna was
laughing when I made my way to her side to embrace her. She hugged
me back warmly.

“Ugh, finally, right?”

“Yes. Are you speaking of the graduation or
the years of school?”

“Both. This was a long ass
day. I need a drink!” Jen laughed. “Who’s with me?” she asked.
Everyone murmured their agreement.
First we have to get
our men,
I thought as we turned to walk
toward the reception area where Ryan and Aaron would be speaking to
the faculty and saying goodbye to friends.

Suddenly, slim arms wrapped around both
Jenna and I from behind. “Hey, chickies…wait up!” Ellie’s voice was
breathless with excitement. “Let’s get into some trouble tonight.
Who knows when we’ll be able to see each other next?” She was
looking down and both Jenna and I wrapped an arm about her
waist.

“Yes, I’m in the mood to raise a little
hell,” Jen chuckled. “Where should we go, Julia?”

“Well, the folks might like the Four
Seasons, but maybe later we can take the boys to that hole in the
wall bar they always go to? What do you think? Ellie?”

“Yes, that sounds like a plan,” Jenna
agreed.

“Sure!” Ellie was only too happy with
anything we picked out. “This is your town, so lead on.”

As we approached the men, they were laughing
and talking with Tanner and one of their professors. Liza tried to
get Ryan’s attention. I stiffened involuntarily and slowed my steps
as she touched his arm and he turned. His smile faded slightly, but
he spoke and shook her hand. She ignored his proffered hand and put
her arms around his neck. He looked uncomfortable, but hugged her
back loosely.

“
Uh uh!
No that bitch did not do
that!” Jenna’s voice hardened.

“It’s okay, Jen. This is the last time he’ll
see her.”

“Who is she?” Ellie wanted to know.

“Ryan’s stalker. I wouldn’t be surprised if
she chases him down to New York.” My heart fell. I’d never even
considered that.

“That’s
her
?” Ellie’s eyes widened, disapproval
plain on her delicate features. “Pfft. No contest,
Jules.”

“Yeah.
If she only had a brain
,” Jenna
scoffed in a sing-song voice. We all burst out laughing.

“Jen!” I gasped. “She is graduating from
Harvard today.”

“So what? Thanks to your husband and others
who saved her ass countless times.”

“Well, I don’t like her shoes. I’ll bet the
dress under that gown is equally offensive,” Ellie sniffed
haughtily, looking down her nose at the other girl.

“Julia’s way too civilized
about that hag. I would have scratched her eyes out months ago if
she’d pulled that shit with Aaron,” Jen said as she pulled on
Ellie’s arm. Her voice dropped a couple of octaves so the parents
wouldn’t hear her. “I can’t
believe
the nerve of that twit!”

We were still giggling and
Ryan and Aaron heard us. They smiled, Ryan moving to disengage from
Liza’s grip. He moved forward and reached for me, arm slipping
around my waist to draw me to his side. “Liza, you remember Julia?
My
wife
?”

Shock crossed the other girl’s face before
she quickly masked it. “Really, when did you get married?” She
glanced down at Ryan’s left hand and her mouth thinned. I almost
laughed at her surprise.

“Last night,” Ryan stated without
hesitation. He leaned in to whisper in my ear. “And what a night it
was.” He kissed my cheekbone and then my temple.

I smiled brightly up into Ryan’s dazzling
face. His hair was wild from his hands running through it, his
teeth flashing brightly and cobalt eyes bright. He was gorgeous and
I could see it in his expression…he was mine and I didn’t need to
worry about Liza.

I turned, offered her my hand in
greeting.

“It’s nice to see you
again.” I could afford to be gracious
,
considering that Ryan was my husband and I was held tightly to his
side. She took my hand limply and shook i
t,
her face falling slightly. “Congratulations.”

“Thank you. You, too.”

“Will you be staying in Boston?” I asked,
wanting to know her plans. We were interrupted when Jen moved
toward Aaron.

“Yes, we’re all proud of our brilliant
boys,” Jenna interjected. Aaron hugged her before turning toward
his mother.

Gabriel hugged both of his
sons soundly, patting them hard on their backs, his eyes glistening
with unshed tears. Liza moved away silently as the family closed
around us, her eyes falling on Ryan’s face. I could see the sadness
there. A small part of me empathized, knowing how my heart would
break if he didn’t want
me
.

Ryan’s eyes caught mine and he reached out
to take my hand in his, his thumb rubbing over the top of my
fingers, lightly caressing my skin and circling the diamond on my
ring finger. He lifted my hand to place a soft kiss on the inside
of my wrist. “What?” he questioned, his eyes intent on my own.

“Just very proud of my
husband,” I said and then stood on tiptoe to place a kiss on his
smooth jaw. “Mmmm…and
very
happy.
I’m feeling very lucky right now.” I glanced in the direction of
Liza’s retreating back. If Ryan noticed, he didn’t acknowledge
it.

His lips lifted slightly
at the corners as he watched my face before placing a soft, wet
kiss on my mouth, oblivious to the few hundred people surrounding
us. “As if I had a choice, baby. You’re burned in me
forever.
Remember
?” He looked at me
hopefully.

My mind flashed back to a time in a coffee
shop when I’d said those very words, after he convinced me to try
to find a job in New York City. My free hand wrapped around his
bicep and I leaned my head against his strong shoulder.

“As a matter of fact, I do.”

My mother, Marin, and the rest of the women
had all gathered at one end of the table chattering away. Dinner
had been delicious, filled with congratulations, praise and lots of
laughter. My father’s hand came to rest on my shoulder and
squeezed. He and my mother were leaving early the next morning, as
were Paul and Marin. We were dropping off Harris and Ellie at the
airport on our way out of town, leaving my car in Boston with a
plan to come back the following weekend by train to pick it up. I
was leaving all of the furniture with Aaron and Jen, only concerned
with my keyboard and some clothes.

Julia’s gaze fell on me, electricity running
over my skin like a whisper that reached all the way to my bones.
She smiled softly, knowingly. Her exhaustion was clear, yet she was
still so lovely. My heartbeat quickened. Even though we had the
rest of our lives to be alone, I found myself wanting nothing more.
The last few days had passed in a blur and emotions flowed between
us like thunderous waves, leaving us both spent.

Ellie ordered two more
bottles of wine and I walked down to where my bride was sitting
between Jenna and Marin. Her dark hair was falling in soft chestnut
curls around her face and down her back
;
her features were soft and full of
love, content. My heart expanded and tightened at the same time as
I ran a finger along the curve of her cheek and then under her
chin.

I pulled her up and took her place, settling
her back down onto my lap.

“Ryan,” Mom frowned in disapproval. I didn’t
care. I shrugged and ran a hand down Julia’s hip to rest on her
thigh.

“It’s okay, Mom. Lighten up.”

“Okay,” she agreed with a nod. “I guess you
and Aaron have earned some special privileges tonight. Are you glad
it’s over?”

I sighed as Julia’s fingers brushed up and
down on my stomach. “Yes. I still have to take my boards, but I’m
anxious to start my residency.”

Marin’s face lit up with a smile. “We’re all
so proud. Aaron, make sure to invite us to the wedding,” she called
down, getting my brother’s attention.

“Of course,” Jenna answered with enthusiasm.
Aaron scooted her chair closer to his so she could lean into
him.

The waitress came back with the wine,
offering Ellie a sample, then went about filling the glasses around
the table.

Ellie stood and took her glass in her hand,
her voice cracking slightly. “I miss you guys a lot now that we are
all scattered to the wind, but I’ll always love you. You’re the
family I never had, so let’s promise to make time to see each
other.”

Harris joined her as I glanced at Julia. Her
lower lip was trembling with emotion. My arms tightened and she
leaned her head against mine, closing her eyes.

“We’ll get together soon,” I said, mostly
for Julia, but loud enough for all to hear. My hand smoothed the
hair at the back of her head, stroking it down her back over and
over until she went to hug Ellie.

Soon all of the women were tearing up. “I’ll
miss you, Ellie. I’ll miss all of you.” When she turned out of
Ellie’s embrace, Julia’s hand moved to my shoulder which I quickly
covered with my own.

“Let’s all plan on Christmas in Chicago.
Paul, Marin, you, too. We have enough room and nothing makes Elyse
happier than having a full house for Christmas,” Gabriel said
jovially.

“That sounds great, Dad. I’ll volunteer my
chef wife to kitchen duties, and myself to eating with abandon,” I
said, trying to lighten the mood. The conversation continued around
us but both Julia and I had fallen silent. I squeezed her hand
gently and her fingers threaded through mine. “Are you tired, my
love?”