Aubrey

I opened my eyes to reveal my bed. What the hell happened?

Haden stood over me with an unreadable expression.

"What happened?" I questioned.

"You fell while going down the stairs." He stated as he sat on the bed.

"My head hurts." I groaned and he passed me a tablet and a glass of water.

I downed it's contents and sat up.

"Take it easy." Haden coaxed.

"I'm confused. I thought I saw Xavier in our basement."

"What? That's ridiculous. That must be some sort of dream."

"But it felt so real."

"Baby, what would Xavier be doing in our basement? That makes no sense."

"I don't know. But my head hurts."

"The painkillers should kick in a moment. You should rest while I prepare a meal."

"Alright." I laid back down and closed my eyes.

Was that really all a dream? No that can't be true. I saw him with my own two eyes.

I got off the bed and looked out of the window. This just isn't my life. I felt like a prisoner. This was all too confusing.

I saw a car pull up in front of our house and four guys came out. I couldn't see their faces properly as they approached the house.

I heard the door open from downstairs and I was curious to see who they were.

"I'll be with you guys in a bit. Let me just get something upstairs." I heard Haden say.

A couple seconds later he came into the room.

"Aubrey I need you to stay up here. Don't come out until I say." He commanded and I nodded.

He left the room to tend to his guests. Why would he want me to stay here?

I snuck out of the room and stayed on the stairs.

"Your assistant, Camille, told us that you are married. Is that so?" That voice it's all so familiar. Is that, Vincent?

"I don't know what you're talking about man. You can't just barge in here and make bold claims that aren't true."

"Her words not mine."

"This is a complete waste of time and totally unnecessary." Haden spat.

"I don't think so. Besides, Xavier is still missing."

"I told you he is probably in Vegas, you know how he loves to have a good time. He visited me the other day and we talked for a while. He's okay and I'm sure he isn't missing." Haden stated. What would Xavier be doing in Vegas?

"He isn't answering our calls." Another guy said.

"I'm telling you, he is fine. What do you guys even want? First you show up at my workplace, now you're at my house."

"Because your assistant says you have a wife and that's a little weird because I can't remember you getting married."

"I am not married and she is being delusional." Haden yelled. What? What does he mean he is not married? Then what am I?

I have to get to the bottom of this. I took a deep breath and walked downstairs.

"We're not married?" I stated as I walked into the room.

"I told you to stay upstairs." Haden barked.

"Does it matter? Because you have been lying to me." I yelled.

"Baby please, just calm down and go back upstairs." Haden begged.

I ignored him as I looked at the guys. They were all staring at me.

I walked up to him, to Vincent. I just know it's him.

"Vincent." I breathed as I stood in front of him.

His eyes pooled with tears as he pulled he into a hug. It was then, I felt a rush of emotions. Something so strong that it almost made my head spin.

"You're alive." He cried as he hugged me.

I remembered every moment. Every hug. Every touch. Every word. Every kiss. I remember him and the way we were. I remember our life and what we wanted. I remember love. I remember Vincent McKnight.

"Caleb, Blake, Nicholas." I cheered as I smiled at them. Blake was in tears and completely broke down.

"I thought I lost you." He cried.

"I'm here.It's okay now."

"No it's not." Haden chuckled and I heard a click. He had a gun pointed right at Vincent.

"What is wrong with you? Aren't you tired of trying to ruin my life? I missed out on valuable time with the people I love. You tricked me. You used my amnesia against me. Why would you do such a thing?"

"Because I love you Aubrey. I love you soo much."

"That doesn't make any sense. I think you just wanted to replace Ivory. But I can assure you that I'm not a replacement. I deserve much more than that."

"It doesn't matter now. Vincent, you were my best friend. How could you move on with Aubrey like that? She was my wife and you had no right to be with her. If you respected our friendship you wouldn't have done that." Haden spat.

"Dude, you treated her like trash but expected me to leave her. She is perfect and she deserves the world." Vincent yelled.

"She does ,doesn't she?" Haden smirked as he pointed the gun to me.

"H-Haden, what are you doing?"

"If I can't have you then what's the point of all this?"

"Haden please I-

The shot fired and I waited for the impact but it never came. Instead, Blake fell to the floor.

"Blake!" I screamed as I darted towards him.

"It's fine Aubrey." He choked as he touched my face.

"You're gonna be okay." I sobbed.

"Just when I thought I got you back. I guess I'm the one who is leaving now."

"Blake please." I cried.

"Y-You must know that I love you. I always did." His eyes were closing and I didn't know what to do.

"What have I done?" Haden dropped the gun and stepped away. His hands trembled and he sat on the floor.

"I already called the cops and the ambulance. They'll be here soon."

Caleb and Nicholas restrained him and he didn't even try to fight them. He looked defeated.

The cops and the ambulance arrived a few minutes later.

They emerged with Xavier's body and I ran to them.

"Is he okay?" I questioned.

"I'm sorry ma'am. It was too late. I'm afraid he didn't make it." The paramedics stated.

I fell to the floor and sobbed. How could this have happened? Xavier didn't deserve that.

I felt Vincent's hand on my shoulder and I stood and hugged him.

"Its going to be okay." He cooed.

~

We were waiting in the hospital for quite a while, when the doctor showed up.

"Doc, is he okay?" I questioned.

"I'm sorry but he didn't make it. It was a fatal wound and we tried our best. But there was too much blood lost. His heart was punctured."

I broke down completely. I had lost Blake.

"You can go see him if you wish." The doctor said sympathetically.

"Vincent, I'll be back in a bit."

I walked into the room and it had a chilly feeling. I looked at Blake's body and my heart dropped.

"Blake." I whispered.

"Blake. I love you soo much. You mean the world to me and I know that we had a rough beginning but we got closer. Just when I was able to see you again, you're gone. But I know that you'll always be here with me. I know that you're in my heart and I'll never forget that. You'll always be my brother." I kissed his forehead one last time and left.

Tears cascaded down my cheeks and I ran out of the room.

Vincent held me so close as if I was about to disappear any minute.

"I promised you Aubrey. I promised that I would always find you. I'm sorry it took soo long but I'm here now. I'm glad you're here now." Vincent kissed my lips and I kissed him back. The warmth of his lips consumed me and I felt safe with him.

After taking me home, I was greeted by my family and friends.

My mom and dad hugged me tightly and peppered me with kisses. Sofia, Terrance, Sabrina and Nathan were there as well. I was happy to see everyone.

"My baby, oh my baby. I'm soo glad that you're here."

"I missed you guys soo much."

"We all missed you. Believe it or not, you were like the glue that held us all together." Caleb smiled.

"Mommy." Damien ran to me and hugged my leg.

I lifted him into my arms and kissed his forehead.

"Look at how big you've grown." I cooed and he blushed.

He was absolutely adorable. I missed out soo much of his life but I'm here now.

When my mom got the news of Blake's death she broke down completely. Emma would be arriving tomorrow. We also informed Haden's parents of everything that happened. You could hear the pain in his mom's voice.

It was a lot to take in but I know we'd all be fine. After everyone left, it was just Vincent, Damien and I. We put Damien to bed and sang to him like we did before.

"Aubrey I missed you."

"I missed you too Vincent and I'm glad to be with you. What Haden did was unforgivable and I hope he gets the help he truly deserves."

"That's true but I don't want to think about him. I just wanna savor every moment with you." He said and I blushed.

"You have my heart Vincent." I placed my hand on his chest. "That's how we always find our way back to each other."

"I'm gonna always protect you Aubrey."

"I know Vincy." I smiled and pecked his lips.

"Besides, we still have to get married. You're still the only one I want."

"Have you ever had a girlfriend while I was gone?" I questioned.

"No I haven't. It was always you. I couldn't move on from you."

"Why? I was practically dead to everyone."

"Because Aubrey. Our love is eternal. I could never stop loving you."