"It's the effect of the collision. Good thing is that he's already conscious so we can now run further tests. It's possible he's experiencing temporary amnesia due to the trauma it caused on his brain, but it could only last up to a week maximum so there's really nothing much to worry about." The doctor explained

"I suggest feeding him information gradually instead of letting him know everything all at once because the more his brain gets stressed, the more time it will take for him to recover." He added.

The doctor left the room and Pippa went back closer to him.

"Hi. How are you feeling?" She asked

"Aside from the fact that I can't remember anything, my face hurts and my body feels sore." He said. "Who are you anyway?"

"I'm uhhh... Phillipa" she said. Steve waiting for her to continue but that's it.

"I mean who are you in my life?"

"Hey baby!!" Ahna went straight to Steve. He's still waiting for Pippa's answer but she already went back to her seat.

"How are feeling? Are you okay?"

"Who are you?" Ahna was dumbfounded. Pippa told her Steve's condition.

Andrew came in afterwards carrying some of Pippa's stuff. He hugged Pippa and Steve saw it, as well as Ahna.

Later on, the food supply arrived. Ahna was supposed to feed Steve when Pippa went to her and whispered,

"He doesn't like carrots. You should take them off. Also, only give him warm water. He's prone to bronchospasm."

Ahna nodded and gave her a smile before heading back to Steve while Pippa went back to Andrew.

"Are you hungry? I brought chicken soup. I figured you haven't eaten yet." Pippa took the soup and thanked Andrew.

Steve coughed harder and harder until it sounds like he's already choking. Pippa ran to Steve. After a few back blows, the coughing stopped.

"What the fuck, Ahna. What did I just told you?"

"I'm sorry, okay? You don't have to shout at me." Ahna said. She looked at Steve like she was about to cry. "I'm so sorry, baby. I didn't mean to."

"Shhhh, it's fine. I'm okay." Steve said trying to stop her from sobbing.

Pippa went out the room frustrated.

"P, you have to chill. It's bad for you." Andrew followed and reminded her. "Aren't you gonna go home?"

Pippa shook her head. "I can't leave him here. That woman is gonna kill him"

It's a painful thing to look at, but she'd rather stay and watch them than risk it. She doesn't trust Ahna.

"I can stay if you want." Andrew offered but Pippa quickly refused.

"I appreciate it but you have to go home, Drew. Tomorrow's a two show day and Camelot needs their King."

Maddie arrived and before she could enter the room, Pippa already warned her about her dad's condition and that she may probably not be recognized by him. Andrew bid goodbye after Maddie settled in. Maddie went in.

Pippa was left outside alone, browsing old photos of them on her phone. As much as it makes her smile, a pang of sadness hits her as she swipe every photos.

Theres a photo of them on her grandma's burial. Another photo from one of her shows after the last curtain call. A random photo of them under a tree with their bikes while holding an ice cream. A photo of Steve wearing her favorite costume from high school because he's trying to cheer her up. She swiped again, another random photo of them in a hammock. Every swipe, she realize how much of a life they've shared. These aren't just photos anymore. These are memories. And she wants to keep making one with him.

The last few weeks showed her a glimpse of what it feels like not having him around. She survived. She lived.

Just because I can live without him doesn't mean I want to. I can even raise our child alone but I want him to be there. I want to sleep and wake up next to him everyday. I want him to hold me and tell me everything's gonna be okay when the world seems too chaotic. I want him....

"You can quit the 'I'm nice' act. He can't see us." Ahna said.

"I'm not acting. I know very well that I can kick your ass out of there whenever I want to, but I won't do that. It's not up to me to decide."

"Phillipa, few weeks from now, your marriage will soon be over. You don't have to pretend you care. He doesn't even remember any of us." Ahna reminded her.

"It won't" she said. She felt the surprise on Ahna's movement even if she's not looking. "I'm calling off the divorce."

"You can't do that! We're having a child. You're making a mistake." Ahna said

"The only mistake I'm gonna make is if I give up on my marriage without even trying, without putting up a fight. Also thank you for your concern but whether I'm making a mistake or not is none of your business." Pippa smirked.

"Such a bitch" Ahna rolled her eyes.

"Coming from a mouth of a mistress."

"Gosh I hate you so much."

"Don't worry. The feeling is mutual." Pippa gave her a smile.
_____________________________

Pippa just arrived the hospital after not visiting yesterday. She came inside only to see Steve peacefully sleeping with Maddie holding his hand. She found herself smiling and taking a picture of the view.

"Pippa, how long have you been there?" Maddie asked as soon as she woke up

"Not long. How is he?" Pippa asked.

"He can be discharged today. He opt to rest at home and the doctor allowed him. You know he's not fond of hospitals." Maddie said as she transferred on the couch Pippa is sitting on.

"Also I just signed the consent for dad's personal possessions inside the car and it's a whole day process so I'm afraid we don't have keys to his apartment. I asked Ahna before she left, she told me she doesn't have one as well."

"Oh don't worry. I'll take care of that." She assured Maddie.

Maddie bid goodbye and Pippa was left with sleeping Steve. The nurse went in a few minutes after to check his vitals and to inform her about the discharge process and the schedule of his follow up check ups.

"Hi!" Steve greeted him with a beaming smile, almost trying to get up on his bed. "Is it really you?"

She smiled back as she went close to him. "Where's Ahna? Isn't she supposed to be taking care of you now?"

"Ahna?" He repeated.

"Your girlfriend. The other girl who..."

"Oh yeah. Right. I think she has work so she can't go with us today."  Steve said unbothered as if it doesn't matter to him.

"Ok are you hungry? I can feed you." She offered which he gladly accepted. He cant help not to stare at her as she prepares his food.

"The blonde guy yesterday, is he your boyfriend or someone?" He asked out of nowhere.

"Andrew? No he's not. He's my friend. Bestfriend actually." She said as she walks back to Steve to feed him. "I don't have a boyfriend, I am married" 

"He must be very lucky" he said. Pippa didn't say anything instead she started feeding him.

Pippa and Steve were having the time of their lives. He asked Pippa a lot of questions about him, his hobbies, what he likes and other stuff. They even played a guessing game and Steve was surprised they got it all right.

"Are we always this fun?" Steve asked. Pippa nodded before turning her back on him.

"Pippa, don't leave." He pleaded.

"What did you just call me?"

"Pippa." He said full of conviction. "Ohh isn't that your name?"

"I told you my name is Phillipa."

"Really?! Lost count of how many times I said Pippa in my head everytime I look at you and it was Phillipa all along? Oh my gosh where did I get that name. It's close though." He laughed. She laughed with him

"Ok so how many times have you looked at me?" Pippa teased.

"Not much. I'm just intrigued." She gave him a weird look. "Because I feel happy just seeing you around. I feel safe knowing you're in the room. And it's weird because you said you're my friend but I feel like you're so much more than that."

Pippa attempted to leave again.

"Please don't leave." Steve said pouting.

"I'm just going back on the couch. I can't stand here for too long, it's uncomfortable."

"Then sit here instead" he tapped the space beside him on his bed. "Please." He said with his puppy eyes.

"What a baby!" Pippa rolled her eyes as she sat on the space he suggested.

"Why do I get the feeling you always call me that?"

"Because I do. Especially when you're drunk which is rare. I'd always tell you that for a man that big, you're such a baby."
___________________________

"Why aren't you telling him who you are?" Anna asked. They're on the couch while Dane was talking to Steve. They're only waiting for the doctor to discharge him and they're ready to go.

"Because I don't have to." Anna gave her a puzzled look. "He'll know who I am regardless."

"And how are you so sure of that?"

"Anna, the mind forgets, but the heart will always remember."
_______

"Don't you know how to drive?" Steve whispered to Pippa who's sitting beside him at the backseat. Dane and Anna offered to bring them home.

"I do, but I'm tired. Are you nervous?" She asked. Steve nodded.

"Here." Pippa offered her hand and he grabbed it without hesitation.

The rest of the car ride was silent but she can feel his hands trembling so she caressed it to reduce the tension.

Dane and Anna helped them with their things and let Steve settle in before they left because they had to go right away since it's getting late already and the kids are waiting for them.

"So you're telling me this isn't my home? That this is yours?" Steve was so confused.

"It is but... ahhh whatever." Pippa struggling on how to explain it to him.

"Because this feels like home to me. Like I've be...." He was cut off.

"Damn it, Steve. Stop asking questions. Let's get you to bed and I'll clean your wounds before you sleep." Pippa said guiding him to the bedroom.
She went out again to get his medicines as well as prepare the cleaning kit.

She wasn't aware of the constant smile thats been plastered on her face since the moment they arrived.

She's only focused on the fact that she's not alone. And it's been a while since the last time he's here, but having him around feels so right. Steve isn't the only one who came home tonight, but also her. For the first time after quite some time, their house finally feels like home.

She went back to the bedroom only to find Steve sitting on his side of the bed holding a snapshot photo.

"Steve?"

He gazed at her in astonishment. The woman in the picture, the woman front of him, smiling at him as if he's the most precious thing she's ever seen.

"Pip?"