Runaway Mum

by Deborah George

  Mary interrupted "Been a while?" she paused "What do you mean a while? and while we are at it where is here?"

  Sam replied "Tracy, you have been here for about two weeks. Dont worry all of your stuff is fine, I took it to the cottage, the one I was going to view, with you being in the hospital so long I bought it and moved into it." he lowered his eyes "I wanted to be close to you, while we waited for you to get better!"

  Mary was confused "Are we together?" she asked. Then hysteria took over, "But who am I? where did I come from?" trying to get out of the bed Mary began to panic, the doctor had no option but to sedate her, while hoping that the next time she woke up she would be better able to deal with the news.

  Mary woke again a few hours later, it was dark, though the nurses kept a small light on near the reception desk. Mary slowly tried getting out of bed, waiting for the pain in her head to hit. It did but not as intense as it was earlier. Slowly everything that happened that afternoon came back to her. She was scared she didnt know who she was, those people had called her Tracy so they knew who she was, didnt they? why didnt she remember?

  "Tracy," a nurse whispered "Ahh good you are awake, would you like something to eat or drink?" "Just water please." Tracy croaked back, she felt the tears welling up in the back of her eyes, she knew that there was something important that she had to remember, but right now it hurt to think.

  The nurse came back with some cold water for Mary. "Try to relax hun," she said "The doctor will be back in the morning and will talk to you further, but for now all we know is you have amnesia, whether it will be short term or long term is something that we will have to look into."

  "Amnesia?" Mary paused, "Does anyone know who I am?" she asked the nurse with hopefulness.

  "Yes, that handsome man who was here earlier, his name is Sam, the nurses call him Sexy Sam," She giggled "Sorry, oh he says you where dating. Martha at the hotel you where staying at confirms he knows you. I think the doctor may release you to Sams care in a few days. As long as you stay local enough to be monitored."

  "Sam?" she repeated, thinking to herself, I remember him from earlier, dark brown eyes, dark hair, freckles.. He was kinda cute! Hmmm dont think I could do much worse.

  "Try to rest Tracy and things will seem better in the morning." The nurse said easing her back onto the pillows and bringing the blanket back up over her and tucking her in like a child. Mary slowly relaxed and drifted of back to sleep.

  Chapter Six

  After what felt like a long week, Dr Moore allowed Sam to take Mary home, it appeared the amnesia was going to be long term, and her memory might never come back. Sam had been fantastic Mary thought, always visiting her, bringing presents, fruit and magazines. He confessed they where going to have their first date together the day that the accident had happened, although Sam didnt admit that it was him who had hit her with his car.

  The day she was to leave the hospital Sam arrived to pick her up and the nurse brought her a wheelchair which Mary laughed at and waved away "I dont need that, I may have no memory but I can still walk, and walking out of here is what I intend to do!" she exclaimed.

  Sam helped her into his car and silently they drove to his place. Mary had nowhere else to go so accepted the offer to stay at his until she was better or for as long as she wanted. As they pulled up outside the stone cottage Mary couldnt help but be impressed it was a beautiful home. He took her inside where he had a lunch prepared for her. Scones and Jam.

  Showing her to her room he couldnt help but put his arms around her. "I have waited so long to do this Tracy," he put his head against hers "I missed you so much while you where in the hospital." Then he lifted his head looked into her eyes and brought his lips down to hers and gently kissed her, pulling her closer to him. Mary pulled back, then looked at him and kissed him back, for some reason his kisses made her melt. Even though she didnt know him or at least didnt remember she knew she felt good with his lips on hers. Her knees went weak and she pulled back once again, Sam groaned. "Too much too soon Sam" she said as she left the room and headed back to the cosy kitchen with its farmhouse style table and chairs. "Anyways I am hungry Sam so anything else will have to wait" she chuckled and winked at him from across the room. Sam smiled and joined her at the table. "Do you like your room ok Tracy?" he asked.

  "Sure its ok, Sam," she replied "but am thinking I may end up sharing yours if you keep kissing me like that!" laughing at the expression on his face Mary picked up another scone and began adding butter and jam to it.

  After they finished eating Sam cleared away the dishes. "Let me help Sam" Mary asked "After all you have done for me."

  "No no Tracy, you go and relax, the livingroom is through there," he said pushing her out of the kitchen "We have sattelite t.v so you go choose something to watch and chill for a bit."

  "Ok ok I am going," Mary laughed "But tomorrow you better let me do something to help."

  The two snuggled onto the sofa and watched so many movies together, laughing, crying and enjoying each others company, although Mary couldnt remember her past she knew she could enjoy her future with this man by her side. She felt safe with him, and protected.

  Mary rested her head on Sams lap and he placed his arm along her shoulders and rubbed gently, they put another movie on and it wasnt long before Sam could hear that Marys breathing had changed as she had fallen asleep. Wriggling out from under her, Sam carefully picked Mary up and carried her into her room where he placed her on the bed and began to tuck the blankets around her. Mary's eyes fluttered open, "Stay with me Sam," she pleaded breathlessly, pulling him down towards her and placing her lips against his "Make love to me."

  Mary woke in the morning with Sam pressed tightly against her back and his arm thrown casually over her naked body as though he had been doing that his whole life. Mary shifted slightly and Sam gently pulled her around to face him "Good morning gorgeous!" he said "What would you like for breakfast?" Mary giggled, moved in closer and replied "You!"

  It was hours later before they emerged for some breakfast, Sam looked at the time and said "I have to go view some houses today, but when I come back we will go out for dinner. I know an adorable restaurant close by that you will love!" He hugged Mary and kissed her before he left.

  While he was away Mary went and had a look through all of her stuff, nothing in it made her remember who she was. She didnt even find any personal belongings, such as a drivers licence, though she had a feeling she did know how to drive. Not even a mobile phone, in this day and age that felt very strange. Maybe she just wasn't into technology like some people she thought, grabbing all her belongings she brought her things into Sams room and stole some space in his closet for her clothes and rummaged through his draws to make room for her other stuff, after last night theres no way she was sleeping alone again. They would be together from now on.

  Months had passed and they both settled into a happy life together, Sam made sure that Mary had everything she ever needed or wanted. She loved being taken care of by him and being loved by him. She never wanted anything to change.

  Chapter Seven

  "Sam, Sam," Mary called him excitedly from the bathroom, "Quick Sam come here and see this!" she kept yelling, "Where are you Sam?" Sam ran in from outside "Whats wrong hun?" he asked "I was just taking the bins out."

  Mary shoved something white under his nose, "Check it out Sam!!!" she cried, Sam paused and tried to focus on what it was, bringing his head back until he could see it clearly. "Oh my goodness Tracy is that what i think it is?" She nodded, Sam grabbed her round the waist and swung her around. Then he hastily put her down, "Ooops dont want to hurt the baby" he said patting her tummy. Laughing she threw her arms around him. "We are having a baby" she cried jumping up and down, he pulled her back towards him "I love you so much Tracy." Sam told her, Mary looked up at him with tears in her eyes, "And I love you too my beautiful Sam," she kissed him "You are the best thing thats ever happened to me Sam, I couldnt imagine life without you." Sam c
arried her to the bedroom and made slow sensual love to her.

  Months later :

  "Are you going to be able to come get me at twelve Sam?" Mary called over her shoulder while washing dishes at the kitchen sink. "You know for our scan appointment?"

  Coming up behind her and putting his arms around her ever growing tummy, Sam replied. "Of course my love I wouldnt miss it for the world."

  "Good because if you did miss it, I may have had to kill you!" she laughed turning herself into his embrace and kissing him fondly.

  "Why are you doing dishes anyways Tracy, thats the house keepers job, you are supposed to be taking it easy." Sam asked frowning. He didnt expect Mary to do anything, thats why he paid for a house keeper to come in each day and take care of her. Even more so now she was having his baby. Mary frowned "Dont know Sam, for some reason I feel as though its my job and I have to do them. Its a weird nagging feeling I have had lately." she laughed nervously, "Maybe I was a dishwasher in my previous life!" Sam kissed her and held her "Dont worry hun those days are behind you, this is our time now, well, guess I better go get some work done for now, but I will see you this afternoon."

  Sam and Mary walked into the hospital five minutes before their appointment time. Both where excited to see their baby on screen. Hopefully if the baby cooperated they may even find out the sex. Their turn came and they where called into the little examination room.

  "Oh my Gawsh can you believe it Tracy we are actually having twins and ones a boy and ones a girl" he hugged her in the car park staring at the scan picture in his hand's over and over again, "Now we have to pick names out." Mary smiled. She couldnt believe it twins!

  Suddenly Mary felt a tap on her shoulder "Mary? Mary is that you!" Mary swung around "You got it wrong mister, my name is Tracy." She replied but frowned, that face was familiar, but how? "Do you not remember me Mary?" the man asked again "I used to deliver your post in London, I got transferred up here about two months ago."

  Sam stepped in front of Mary who had suddenly gone very pale and looked frightened. "Beat it, whoever you are, she says she doesnt remember you and her name isnt Mary." Sam turned around and helped Mary into the car. As she got into the car the post man shouted "Everyone is worried about you." Sam told him to go away, got into the car himself and they drove quickly away.

  "Sam who was that guy, what if he does know me, what did he mean by everyone is worried about me? but he called me Mary. My name is Tracy, well thats the name I told you when we met. What if I had lied to you?" Mary sobbed "I dont want anyone to ruin what we have together." Sam reached across and squeezed her hand "No one will ever ruin what we have Tracy. I wont let them!" he growled.

  Chapter Eight

  A week later Mary had relaxed enough and begun to forget about her strange encounter with the postman. Today Mary and Sam where going baby equipment shopping, two of everything she thought and smiled who would have thought she could be so happy.

  Sam came out of the bedroom "Are you ready hun?" he asked grabbing his car keys from the fruit bowl on the kitchen table. "Time to go shopping."

  Mary smiled, "I am ready but are you? This may be an expensive day out."

  "Anything you desire today hun, nothing will be too good for our babies!" Sam told her patting her bottom as they left the house and got into the car. Sam drove them to the shopping mall. First stop the baby shop! They browsed for hours finally settling on matching cots for the twins but bought seperate pink and blue bedding, they looked at double buggies and clothing. Armed with a basket full of clothes they approached the counter and the shop assistant began ringing it in. "We also want some big items delivered to our house." Sam told her. Once all had been done they took another walk around the mall.

  "I am hungry Sam, can we go get something to eat now?" Mary asked rubbing her tummy.

  "You are always hungry Tracy." He laughed "But of course I will feed you again." he took her arm and they headed towards the little steak house that the mall had, it may be small but their food was delicious and Mary had been craving their coleslaw ever since she found out that she was pregnant.

  Just as they went to walk into the restaurant a man neither had ever seen before grabbed Mary by the arm.

  "Where have you been these past nine months?" he asked her, Mary shook her head looking to Sam for help "I dont know who you are" she told the man "Please leave me alone." Sam turned round, grabbed the man by the throat and said "Who the hell are you? and why are you grabbing my girlfriend?"

  "Never mind who the hell I am" The man replied, "Who are you and what are you doing with my wife?" Mary heard his words and fainted. Sam shoved Mark out of the way and caught Mary before she hit the ground. "Go away from us," he shouted at Mark "Tracy doesnt know her past life and now is really not the time!"

  Mark laughed "Her name is Mary, not Tracy and she is my wife, though looks like she has been cheating on me with you." He paused looking at her belly "What do you mean she doesnt know her past life?" Mark scratched his head after the words sunk in.

  "Because she had an accident nine months ago and woke up with memory loss." Sam told him.

  Mary began coming round "Please take me home Sam." nodding, Sam did as he was asked.

  Mark was left standing in the shopping mall, confused and hurt, his own wife couldnt remember him. He would make her remember him one way or another he vowed.

  After they got home Sam put Mary to bed and brought her in a cold drink and a sandwich. Sitting beside her he put his arms around her.

  "Sam," She breathed deeply "I remember now, he was my husband, is my husband. Today it all came rushing back. I had left him when i met you on my way to the hotel. But something worse, I have 3 children whom i left too." Sam stood up, walked across the room paced a little and then came back. Putting his arms back around Mary he said "Thats a different life, you must have had your reasons."

  "SAM!" she shouted "How can you be so forgiving? I chose to leave my kids and husband and yes I did have reasons. But what kind of Mother am I to do that?"

  "Ok Tracy? or should I call you Mary? Tell me your reasons am listening."

  "Mary will be fine, after all it is my name," She removed his arms from around her. "Listen to me Sam, I left because my husband rarely had time for me, I felt like no one really cared about me. No one listened to me, my husband used to push me away whenever I wanted to snuggle or hold him, or kiss him. My kids fought all the time and Mark never helped me or spent any time with them. Every day it was so hard and a piece of me died each and every moment." She put her head down. "I feel bad, originally I left to make them realise how much I did for them and give them a wake up call, but my God Sam I have been gone over nine months! what must my kids be thinking?"

  "Mary, that feels weird I prefer Tracy, once you explain to your children that you had amnesia and would have been back I am sure they will forgive you..." Mary interupted him "You dont get it Sam, he will have had so much time to poison their minds. They are going to hate me."

  "Well its our job to convince them otherwise. So how many children do you have?" Sam was so easy going its why she loved him, she missed her children now she remembered them, but she didnt want to lose her life with Sam. This is where her heart lay now. "Three, two boys and a girl." she told him "Soon to be five!" He laughed putting his hand protectively over her belly. "Bet your kids will be excited about the twins" He winked "All children love babies."

  The next morning Mary phoned her Mum and told her everything that had happened including her pregnancy. All her memories came flooding back fast. Mary and Sam also paid a visit to Dr Moore to check that every thing was ok with her memory coming back so fast. Dr Moore gave her a clean bill of health, and congratulated them on their pregnancy.

  Next step was to meet up with Mark, this was the hard part. Mary knew she didnt want to go back to him at all, but she did want her kids back in her life. There was no doubt about it.

  Mark arranged to meet them at a local pub, they figured a public place mi
ght be the best thing for their first meeting. Hopefully he would behave himself and not cause a scene. This was going to be hard enough.

  Mark appeared to be ok as he walked into the pub, he came over and shook Sam's hand. Then nodded at Mary.

  "So what next?" Mark asked them with a sneer. "I mean I dont want to be raising your baby Sam, but she is my wife after all."

  Sam stood up and looked down at Mark, "She may be your wife by law but she isnt owned by you. Mary wants to stay with me, and will want her children back, its hardly her fault that she had amnesia the very day after she left you to think." Sam sat down "After all you where hardly an attentive husband. You didnt treat her the way she deserved to be treated."

  Mary touched Sam's leg "Hunny its ok, look Mark I dont want to be with you anymore. Sam is my world now, but so are my children, we can manage to take care of them financially and we have our own home. From what my mum has told me she has them almost every day anyways. You are either working or hanging out with your mates."

  "What do you care about the children? He screamed at her "You left them with me. So now they stay with me and if you try to take them from me I will kill you" he hissed leaning close into Marys face. Sam stood up and pushed him back. "You will not touch her!" placing himself in front of Mary he truned to glance at her, he didnt see Mark take the knife from his pocket and stab it into his back. Sam collapsed and Mary screamed. People in the pub stood back shocked and not knowing what to do. Mary screamed "Call the police, an ambulance please someone do something!" Mark then made a run from the pub, but someone wrestled him to the ground and held him there until the police arrived. Sam was going to be ok the ambulance crew told Mary the knife hadnt gone in far enough to do any permament damage, they took them both to the hospital, while Mark was taken away in the back of the police van.

  Epilogue

  It took months for Mary to build up her childrens trust again, Dr Moore helped by speaking to them and explaining about their mum's memory loss. Thankfully the children where old enough to begin to understand what had happened. Mary and Sam moved the children to be with them and Sam arranged for some extra rooms to be built onto the cottage, each with its own bathroom and play areas. Soon the Twins where born and Mary realised how complete her life finally was. Thank goodness for second chances!