Once Found: The Pocket Watch Chronicles (7 page)

Elizabeth’s mother patted Elizabeth’s hand. “No one is going anywhere tonight anyway. Rest and perhaps you’ll feel differently in the morning.” Her mother kissed her forehead and left the room.

Elizabeth watched her leave and then started to sob.

“Oh, sweetheart, please don’t cry.” Gabe didn’t know what to do, so he instinctively lifted her into his arms and sat on the recliner, cradling her on his lap and against his chest.

“I—never—cry,” she said between sobs. But she wrapped her arms around him, continuing to weep.

He whispered soft soothing words, trying to quiet her sobs.

A nurse came into the room. “Goodness, what’s the matter?”

Elizabeth continued to cry, so Gabe explained. “Her parents were here.”

“Did she recognize them?”

“No.”

“Is that why she’s upset?”

“No. Her father is on staff at Johns Hopkins. He wants her transferred there, and she doesn’t want to go.”

“Well, she’s an adult, she doesn’t have to go, and you shouldn’t push her into it.”

“I’m not the one pushing her. When she told them she wanted to stay here, her father said he would have her evaluated by psych and declared incompetent.”

“No.” The nurse’s tone was incredulous. She sat on the bed and rested a hand on Elizabeth’s shoulder. “Dr. Quinn, don’t let this upset you. A lot of things have to happen before anyone can make you do anything.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

“And, Elizabeth, if your father gets his way, I’ll go to Baltimore to be with you there.”

He felt the tension leave her body. “You will?”

“Of course. I know you’re afraid. I won’t leave you.”

She sighed and rested her head against his chest.

The nurse smiled. “Try to calm down a little now. I’ll be back in a few minutes to take some vitals. Are you having any pain?”

Elizabeth nodded.

“Then I’ll bring some pain medicine too.”

She nodded again. “I don’t like the way it makes me feel, but I am hurting a lot.”

When the nurse left, Elizabeth snuggled against Gabe’s chest again. He rested his cheek on the top of her head, content just to hold her.

“I wish I could sleep here.”

Gabe chuckled. “So do I, but it’s probably better if we tuck you into bed.”

“Can you stay here all night?”

“Yes. I’ll stay right here in this chair.”

“Thank you, Gabe.”

~ * ~

Elsie’s disappointment in the callous way Elizabeth’s parents—particularly her father—treated her was shattering. But as she regained control, it occurred to her that the ability to make her own choices was a heady power, so much so that the threat of losing that right steeled her determination to prevent anyone from taking it from her.

The twenty-first century was loud and scary in many ways, but it didn’t take long for Elsie to appreciate some modern marvels. The first being a little chamber called a
bathroom
. She had been introduced to it the previous evening when she needed to relieve herself. There were no pots to empty into cesspits. It wasn’t even like a garderobe. The
toilet
was filled with water and everything was flushed away with the push of a lever. A wash basin was attached to the wall, and levers there caused warm water to pour out of a spout.

That was also when she saw her reflection for the first time. Elizabeth was shorter than Elsie had been. She had warm brown eyes and short, wavy, brown hair. It would have shocked her had she not already seen so many women in this time with short hair. Elizabeth had an ample bosom, a slightly rounded tummy, and curvy hips. Elsie smiled, thinking her body very attractive—at least men in her own time would find it so. Her face, on the other hand, was a bit of a mess. There was a scrape above her left eye and some ugly bruises, but they would go away with time.

Just after Elsie had awakened that morning, to her surprise, a
breakfast tray
was delivered. If she ate at all, her morning meal consisted of bread or a bannock and either broth or cheese. This tray had some foods she recognized. There were two pancakes, which were like bannocks but very soft and in the twenty-first century, eaten drenched in syrup. There was also bacon, cooked until it was crispy. She had never eaten bacon in the morning before. She seemed to amuse Gabe with her questions about everything else.

The large, curved, yellow thing was a fruit called a
banana
. “Try it, but don’t be surprised if you don’t like that one,” said Gabe. “It is a little green, and you like very ripe bananas.”

She tasted it and made a face. “You’re right. I don’t like it. How did you know?”

He chuckled. “Because I like them green. You used to buy bananas, and I’d irritate you by eating them before they got ripe enough for your tastes.”

She smiled, “You can have this one. And please eat one of these pancakes, I can’t manage them both.”

He gave her a warm smile. “We’ve done this before. You like pancakes, but you’d only ever eat one and they are usually served in a stack of two or three or more. I have never minded finishing your pancakes.”

The tray also held a container of milk that was nothing like the milk in her time, and a container of
orange juice
. It was very tasty. But the thing that surprised her most was the cup of hot black liquid Gabe called
coffee
. The aroma was wonderful. She started to take a sip, but Gabe stopped her.

“You like milk or cream in your coffee.” He poured some of the milk in.

She tasted it in awe. “This is…this is…delicious.”

Gabe laughed. “You’ve loved coffee as long as I’ve known you. It sustained you through medical school.”

“Is it very good for you? Does one drink it instead of eating?”

“You don’t drink it instead of eating—or you shouldn’t—that isn’t what I meant by sustain. Coffee has something in it called caffeine. It is a stimulant.” At her frown he said, “Having a cup of coffee when you’re tired perks you up for a while. In medical school, we had a lot to do and didn’t get as much sleep as we should have. We drank a lot of coffee.”

“Do you want some of this?”

“No, thank you. You enjoy it and I’ll get a cup later.”

After breakfast, a nurse checked her
vitals.
Gabe had explained what they were yesterday. The nurse also removed the little tube in her arm that had been capped yesterday.

“I’m going to wrap that splint and have a nursing assistant help you shower.”

“Shower?”

“Wash up,” the nurse said by way of explanation. “Dr. Soldani, you can take a break for a while.”

Elsie started to protest, but Gabe said, “You’ll want privacy. I won’t be gone long. I think I’ll have a shower, too.” She frowned, but he added, “There’s a coffee shop in the lobby that makes a great mocha. It’s a flavored coffee that you love. I’ll bring you one.”

“Okay.” She was still worried that her parents might return before Gabe did, but she was determined to be brave.

The hot shower was one of the most wonderful things Elsie had ever experienced. She never could have imagined how heavenly it would feel to have delightfully warm water sluicing over her body. It soothed her aches. The
blow dryer
was marvelous, too. Her hair was completely dry and fluffy in a few minutes.

Finally, dressed in a fresh
gown
,
she returned to bed. The head of the bed was raised so that she was in a semi-sitting position. She closed her eyes and dozed a little. The whole experience had been very relaxing.

She rested until someone entered the room. Opening her eyes, she expected to see Gabe, but it was a man she didn’t know. He wasn’t dressed in scrubs. She was immediately wary.

He smiled. “Hello, Elizabeth.”

“Hello,” she said tentatively. “Who are you?”

He smiled warmly. “My name is David Sinclair, and I’m a friend. A very good friend.”

She shook her head slowly, wishing Gabe were here. “I don’t remember you.”

“That’s okay. I didn’t think you would.”

“Where do I know you from? I don’t live here. I live in a place called Cincinnati, and it’s far away.”

He nodded. “That’s right. I live in Cincinnati too, and until a couple of days ago, I was your boyfriend.”

At that moment, Gabe walked in carrying a cup in each hand. Elsie gave a sigh of relief.

“Excuse me, who are you?” asked Gabe.

“I’m David Sinclair.” David offered Gabe his hand.

Gabe set down one of the cups and returned the handshake. “Dr. Gabe Soldani. Here, Elizabeth, I brought you the mocha I promised.”

Elsie took the cup, but didn’t taste it. On seeing David, Gabe became tense and that made Elsie tense too.

Gabe turned back to the new arrival. “If you
were
Elizabeth’s boyfriend until a couple of days ago, what are you doing here?”

“Her parents called me. They told me what happened. They didn’t know Elizabeth and I had broken up on Saturday morning.”

“Then why didn’t you fill them in?”

“Dr. Soldani, shall we sit down and I’ll tell you what I know?”

Gabe nodded, motioning for David to sit in the recliner as he sat in the other small chair. “So, I’ll ask again, if you and Elizabeth are no longer a couple, why did you fly here from Cincinnati this morning?”

Fly?
There it was again. She had to remember to ask about that.

“I care about Elizabeth, but in the short time we dated I learned a few things that I didn’t think would ever change. Elizabeth drives herself harder than anyone I know. After a while, I came to believe it was out of some need to please her parents. She aced the hardest courses in prep school, and was always first in her class. But these were simply her parents’ expectations. I know you went to medical school with her, so you know she graduated as valedictorian. What you probably don’t know is that it was her third time. She was valedictorian in both high school and college. Her parents didn’t even attend those ceremonies.”

Elizabeth didn’t understand all of what that meant, but it didn’t sound good.

Gabe put two fingers to his brow, as if he were in pain.

David continued. “Elizabeth, I believed your constant push to excel was to gain your parents’ attention, which they didn’t seem overly anxious to give. I told you that you would never be happy as long as you relied on their approval for fulfilment, and it broke my heart watching you continue to try. You were probably even dating me because it was expected. Your mother set us up.”

“What does that mean?”

“It means I know your mother, and she suggested that I take you out on a date.”

“But that still doesn’t explain why they called you and why you dropped everything to get here,” observed Gabe.

“They called me for several reasons. First, they said she remembered you and she believes she loves you. I guess they thought she might remember me. I was fairly certain she wouldn’t because I don’t believe she loved me. Still, they figured if she remembered me, I could talk her into going to Baltimore.”

“I’m not going to Baltimore,” Elsie said emphatically.

To her surprise, David grinned. “Good girl. Although your parents don’t know this yet, the reason I came was to support
that
decision.”

Gabe gaped at him. “Are you serious?”

“Absolutely. Elizabeth, I don’t think we were meant to be together, but that doesn’t change the fact that I care very deeply for you. It’s rather ironic that it took losing your memory for you to stand up to them. I firmly believe that had you not, had you simply been injured, you would be in Baltimore this morning regardless of your feelings for Gabe. And as to that, you’ve mentioned him to me in the past, but you’ve never told me what happened. I always suspected you had unresolved feelings, but had simply chalked it up as a love lost. It doesn’t surprise me that he is the only person you remember. So that’s why I came.”

“Thank you, David.”

“It’s my pleasure. One of the last things I said to you on Saturday was that I hoped someday you could work your way free of
expectations
and allow joy to enter your life. Maybe this fugue state you’re in will open the doors for that.”

Gabe shook his head. “Holy freakin’ cow, the fugue could have been brought on by this.”

“I wondered as much. If that’s the case, the last thing she needs is to be forced into something by her parents. If I need to tell all of this to the psychiatrist, I will.” David turned to Elizabeth. “Now, drink your mocha: it’s one of your favorite things.”

She took a sip and was transported. “Oh my, that really is delicious. But can I tell you both? It’s a little disconcerting that you know what I like better than I do.”

When Gabe walked into Elizabeth’s room to find the boyfriend with whom she had apparently just broken up, his heart went to his throat. When he heard that her parents had called the man, he wasn’t happy, but perhaps they were doing what they thought was best. After all, if she remembered an old boyfriend, she might remember a new one. The more her memory was jogged, the more likely it was to return.

But when David described Elizabeth’s relationship with her parents, when he said they hadn’t attended her high school or her college graduation, he became angry.

With himself.

Again, he remembered the conversation where he had confronted her about not telling him who she was until after he had learned the truth.

“I never dreamed they’d show up.”

“What the hell, Elizabeth? You were graduating from med school. You were the freaking valedictorian for the love of God.”

“You don’t understand—”

“No, I don’t.”

“Gabe, please listen. My family isn’t like yours.”

He hadn’t listened. He could never have imagined there was any doubt about her parents being there.

When they arrived shortly after David, things got tense quickly.

Her mother carried a bag from the hotel boutique. “David, it’s lovely to see you.”

Dr. Quinn shook his hand. “Yes, it has been a while, but it’s very good of you to come. I’m sure Elizabeth appreciates it.”

“I’m happy to help Elizabeth in any way I can.”

Neither of her parents greeted Gabe.

Her mother sat on the edge of her bed. “Darling, I brought you some lounging pajamas, slippers, and a robe, so you don’t have to wear a hospital gown. Gentlemen, if you’ll give us a moment of privacy, I’ll help her change.”

“I’ll change later, mother,” said Elizabeth.

“Don’t be silly, darling. You’ll be much more comfortable in these. They’re cashmere. And you’ve always called me mom, not mother.”

Gabe had a hard time schooling his expression.
Cashmere pajamas?
For Pete’s sake, who buys pajamas that need to be dry-cleaned?

Dr. Quinn leveled a glare at him.

Gabe simply motioned to the door. “After you, sir.”

They were barely through the door and had it closed when Dr. Quinn rounded on Gabe. “What in the hell is your end-game, young man? Are you after her money? Are you hoping to convince her to marry you while she’s in a fugue? Perhaps pay off your student loan debt before she remembers anything?”

Gabe became angry instantly. He summoned every ounce of self-control he contained and said, “No, sir. I have no
end game
. I care about Elizabeth and want what’s best for her.”

“Then why are you manipulating her to stay here?”

“Manipulating her? Me? Are you serious?
I
assumed she would want to go with you and was as shocked as you were when she said she wanted to stay here.”

“Well, you made no attempt to convince her to do what’s best and go to Baltimore with us.”

“But that would be manipulating her. She’s the one who wants to stay here. I haven’t pushed her one way or the other. It was you who came in last night, threatening to have her declared incompetent if she didn’t do what you wanted her to do. I was the one that comforted the sobbing, shattered girl
you
left without so much as a ‘sleep well.’”

“Why don’t you just leave her the hell alone?”

David stepped in. “Dr. Quinn, this is not necessary. We all want the same thing: what’s best for Elizabeth. Do you agree?”

“Of course.”

“Then let’s let this play out. You requested a psych consult, did you not? Didn’t you tell me the chief of the department will be seeing her this morning?”

The chief of the department? Christ almighty.
Her father certainly played to win.

“Yes,” snapped Dr. Quinn. Turning to Gabe again, he said, “And you can just clear off now, Soldani.”

David shook his head. “As far as I can tell, Gabe has only been supportive. I know they were friends in the past because she has talked about him before. In fact, I have always been under the impression that they were very good friends. I absolutely believe she remembers him and what’s more, she seems to take comfort from his presence. When she doesn’t recognize anyone else, why would you deny her that?”

Because he has to be angry at someone, and I am the easiest target.

“Fine. But I swear to you, Soldani, if I find out you were the one pulling her strings, I will destroy you.”

Elizabeth’s mother opened the door. “James, you need to keep your voice down. You’re upsetting Elizabeth.”

Dr. Quinn cast one more quelling stare at Gabe before striding into the room past his wife.

David and Gabe followed.

Elizabeth sat in her bed, looking tense but very pretty in spite of her injuries. Pale pink cashmere pajamas might be impractical, but they looked cozy and soft, as did the delicate silk robe. The cream colored, cable-knit slippers by the bed looked suspiciously like cashmere too.

When her gaze caught his, the fear and vulnerability Gabe saw there caused his heart to ache for her. She reached a hand out to him.

He took a step toward her, and Dr. Quinn grabbed his shoulder.

“Elizabeth, Dr. Gerald Rose, the chief of psychiatry will be up to see you shortly. I have some calls to make, and I think it would be a good idea if we all left and allowed you to rest until he arrives.”

She nodded. “If you have something you need to do, I don’t wish to keep you from it. But I would like Gabe to stay with me.”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“You’ve made that clear, but until after I have met with Dr. Rose, it is my understanding that I can make my own choices.”

“I’m only thinking of what’s best for you.”

“I’m not certain you know what’s best for me.”

“This needs to stop,” said Elizabeth’s mother. “James, she’s confused. Antagonizing her won’t help. We both have calls to make. Perhaps by the time we’re done, Dr. Rose will have an answer for us, and we can take Elizabeth home.” She took her husband by the elbow, but before leaving with him, she said, “David, you have our numbers. Call if we’re needed.”

David nodded. “Certainly.”

Gabe took the hand Elizabeth held out and then sat beside her.

She sighed. “It seems my parents already know the outcome.”

“They’re making an assumption, sweetheart. That’s all.”

David leaned against the window ledge. “Gabe, is Gerald Rose still the chief of psychiatry here?”

“Yes.”

A slow smile spread across his face. “Then I think if Dr. Quinn wants Elizabeth declared incompetent, calling him in was a mistake. I know Dr. Rose. He’s an old friend of
my
dad’s. A resident might be intimidated, but there is no way Gerald Rose will do anything just because a high-handed surgeon from another hospital wants him to.”

“What do you think, Gabe?” she asked hopefully.

“I’ve never met him, but Dr. Rose has an excellent reputation. I think he will make a fair evaluation.”

“What if he says I’m not competent?”

Gabe leaned forward and kissed her forehead. “Let’s not borrow trouble.”

They didn’t have long to wait. The chief of psychiatry arrived not long after Dr. and Mrs. Quinn left.

When Dr. Rose walked in the room, Gabe stifled a smile. If anyone could look more like a stereotypical psychiatrist, he wasn’t sure how. Dr. Rose was a diminutive older man with graying hair, dark-rimmed glasses, and a neatly trimmed goatee that was also liberally sprinkled with gray.

The old doctor smiled broadly. “Good morning. I’m Dr. Rose. David, I certainly didn’t expect to see you here.” He had a rich Scottish burr.

David shook hands with Dr. Rose. “It’s very nice to see you. I’m here because Elizabeth is a friend of mine.”

“Is she? What a small world.” He turned toward the bed. “So if I’m not much mistaken, you are Dr. Elizabeth Quinn.

Dr. Rose seemed to emanate warmth, and Elizabeth visibly relaxed. “Yes, I am.”

“And you are?” he asked Gabe.

“I’m Gabriel Soldani. I’m a pediatric hospitalist here.”

“And since Dr. Quinn isn’t a wee lassie, I presume ye’re a friend as well?”

“Yes. We went to medical school together.”

Dr. Rose shook Gabe’s hand. “It is a pleasure to meet ye, Dr. Soldani.”

“Likewise, sir.”

He turned his attention back to Elizabeth. “Do ye mind if I call ye by yer given name?”

Elizabeth smiled. “That’s fine.”

“Splendid. Now, Elizabeth, I understand ye’re having a wee bit of trouble remembering things. Would ye mind telling me a bit about what happened?”

“I don’t remember what happened. I’ve been told I was in an accident.”

“And ye remember nothing?”

“I remember Gabe. We’re old friends.”

“And David Sinclair, do you remember him?”

She gave David a sad smile. “No. He seems very nice, but I don’t remember him.”

Dr. Rose smiled broadly. “He is a fine young man and the image of his father. David, were you in the city visiting yer dad?”

“No, I came specifically to see Elizabeth, but I intend to see Dad later today.”

“Give him my best regards.”

“Certainly, sir.”

Dr. Rose turned to Elizabeth. “Now, ye said Gabe here is an old friend and based on the grip ye have on his hand, it appears ye’re very confident of that. Can ye tell me why?”

“When I saw him, I had memories.”

“Did ye? And did he look as braw as he does now?”

She chuckled. “Not quite. In my memories, he didn’t have the beard. But I like it.”

Gabe was shocked. She had never mentioned that.

“Ye look surprised, lad. Many a lass finds nicely trimmed facial hair attractive.” He smiled, stroking his goatee.

Gabe laughed. “That’s not what surprised me. This is the first Elizabeth has said that I don’t have a beard in her memories. I’d forgotten it, but I didn’t grow the beard until I came here for my residency.”

“So ye knew each other in medical school. When did ye see her last?”

Guilt swirled in his gut. “Six years ago, on the day we graduated.”

“I see. What else do ye remember about Gabe, lass?”

“The images are so fleeting, it’s hard to focus on them. But the feeling I have is nearly overpowering. I’m certain he means the world to me and that I love him.”

“I see.” He glanced around the room. “I expected to find your parents here. They were so very concerned about ye.”

Elizabeth’s brows drew together for a moment. “They said they had calls to make.”

“If you need them, I have their cell phone numbers,” offered David.

“Nay, it isn’t necessary. I just thought they’d be here. They told me you and Elizabeth are dating.”

“We were, but we aren’t any longer,” David clarified. “Her parents don’t know that yet.”

“But ye came here—this morning, I presume—specifically to see her. Why?”

“Because I care about her. I believe her parents often railroad her, and she tries to make them happy by giving in. When they called me, I feared they were about to do it again, and I wanted to be here to support Elizabeth in any way I could.”

“That’s very thoughtful of ye.” The old doctor canted his head. “And ye, Gabe, ye seem content to have her hand in yers. Why is that?”

Gabe sighed. “I love her. I think I have for years. It was my own stupidity that made me break up with her in the first place.”

“I see.” He surveyed both men for a moment. “Well now, Elizabeth, if it’s okay with ye, I’m going to ask these two rogues to leave us for a bit.”

“That’s fine.” She smiled at Gabe and squeezed his hand before letting go.

~ * ~

Gabe and David left the room, and Elsie smiled hesitantly at Dr. Rose.

He smiled back. “Do ye mind if I take seat?”

“No, not at all.”

He sat in the recliner, making himself comfortable. “Well lass, I suspect this has been a right harrowing few days for ye.”

Elsie frowned. “I…It’s…”

“I understand, lass. I know all about the pocket watch.”

“Did Gertrude send ye?”

“Nay, I haven’t seen her in years. When yer father described yer odd memory loss, I suspected ye were a time traveler. But when ye described the intense feelings ye have for young Dr. Soldani, I was certain. Where are ye from, lass? Or should I ask when?”

“I’m from the Highlands of Scotland. When I left it was the year of our Lord twelve-hundred and seventy-nine.”

“Ye don’t say? Bless yer wee soul, I’ve haven’t encountered many travelers who came to the future. I have more experience with those who returned from the past. How old were ye when ye left?”

“I was twenty-one.”