"I'm beginning to think that my efforts haven't paid off as well as I thought they would. There's always someone getting in my way and I can't help but think that William has sent me on an impossible mission. He did bring down the old man, didn't he? How is this any harder? I feel sorry for that poor girl, honestly, having her life planned out for her by that sick bastard." Taylor bit her knuckles, thinking about this as if her life depended on it. She watched Jacob, Tammy, and Lily help pack the car with Johnathan's things while she sat on the steps. It was ear-aching, she didn't know what she'd do if she let the opportunity to get her father back pass. She tapped vigorously on the steps, shaking them. She didn't even notice when Lily came to get her, all she heard was a "Taylor."

She jerked, dissembling herself by flashing a weak. "Oh, sorry. I was just feeling~" She sighed, almost desperate for pity and attention. "He's not going to remember me, is he?" She bit her lips, looking away.

"It's hard to say." Lily sat down beside her, they both watched Jacob but each girl had thoughts of their own, very different manifestos. "The doctor said these things take time and there's a possibility he might not get his full memory back." Lily rested her head on her hands, leaning to one side as she stared. "It's hard to believe that five years of your life could disappear so easily."

Taylor turned to her, in her mind she wanted to laugh. She felt it creeping up on her and she let out a slight chuckle before saying. "Jacob wanted us to get married, you know and now he can't even imagine himself with me. Hard to comprehend, that's what this is... to him, to me, to all of us." She took a deep breath as she got up. "I shouldn't have come here, I told him that we couldn't be together and now I feel like it's survival of the fittest like I'm fighting for his love." Taylor screwed her face, wiping the dry tears that came with her act. "I told him that I would keep him back from finding his father, I should've fought harder, I, I should've begged him to stay. Tell him that it wasn't worth it." She hid her face, smirking as she felt the guilt from Lily's stance.

Lily cupped her hands together, frowning at the girl's confession and resentment. "It's not your fault, Taylor. You don't have to pressure yourself into thinking that it is. We don't know what happened out there, we're lucky that he even survived. He could've died, his body could've still been in the middle of nowhere. We just have to~" She bit her lips slapping her hand in her palm. "Pray, yes, praying always works. You should've prayed instead of disregarding Jacob's feelings in the hospital. I admit, I may have been a bit harsh but he was confused, he didn't know us."

"You're right, Lily, and I'm sorry." She dropped her eyes with a nod. "But." She gleamed, grabbing hold of Lily's hands. "You've done the same thing, haven't you?"

"Same thing?" She said.

"Disregarded Jacob's feelings. I can't forget the way he looked at you the day you and I first crossed paths." She smiled. "He loved you but it took him a short while to realize that you were broken."

"Broken?" Lily looked at her emotionless; she nodded. "I'm not broken." Her voice cracked.

Taylor fixed her efforts on getting rid of Jacob, she knew neither prayer nor even God himself could save Jacob from meeting his final demise. Her plan fizzed on like an experiment in a beaker; she didn't know the outcome but she was going to try and try again until something worked. She devised various maps in her head, all leading to the death of Jacob Dale. The last thing she wanted was to risk the life of another, she remembered that little voice in her head telling her all things needed balance. It convinced her that to get a life, you need to take life. It was better to sacrifice a life than it is of random, Taylor knew it was a threat to her mother and she wouldn't allow it.

Lily wondered if she'd ever be fixed, she didn't know people could break so easily. She thought it was impossible to break something that was intangible, nonetheless, a soul.

Every now and then it looked like Jacob was younger, he must've felt eighteen again because of that incident. He was bright-eyed and also curious, no one told him anything but Taylor, and if she cared about him like she confessed why was she so distant? He felt she was serious most of the time, always thoughtful just like Lily. But Lily, was more of a reflective thinker, something was bothering her. Jacob saw the conversations that went on in her head through her varying facial expressions. He didn't devote his time to figuring out what they were, being busy fighting his own painful experiences. The death of his mother burdened him every now and then, it seemed like everything he saw led back to her blunt end. He wondered if by getting his memories back, these feelings would go away. Last he recalled, his mother died almost a decade ago but from what his Uncle told him, it's been almost fifteen years. If he got back his memory, maybe it wouldn't hurt as much. Maybe, during that five-year period, he grew from that. And what Tammy said about marriage, he never heard her talk like that before. He wanted her to get married but what happened, he wish he could remember. He felt robbed of his development and was afraid to start over again. Jacob had so much to say but not a word left his mouth that entire day.

After a long day of traveling, they got settled in Hope. Taylor excused herself, saying it was too painful to watch the love of her life see her as a complete stranger, and left. Lily stayed that afternoon and helped them unpack everything, she offered Johnathan a place in her house and he accepted, taking the keys off of her hands in the meanwhile.

She took her own leave and went back to the Beckinghams, offering an explanation for her untimely and mysterious disappearance. She felt she failed to execute a proper reason for leaving but William understood and he got his mother to soften up too.

"It's fine, Lily. I'm glad you're okay and Jacob is too, I understand he's your friend." William said.

Lily was more concerned about his mother. She looked down, tightly gripping her hand. "Mrs. Beckingham?"

She squinted her eyes, dreading her absence and leaving her to socialize with Isobel. "I suppose the safety of your friend is worth risking your own life?"

This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

"It's not that way, I-"

"It's okay." She sighed and then waved her hands. "It's been a long day, you should go freshen up before you eat. Go on." She crossed her legs, watching the girl leave before saying to William. "Is this your plan?" She nodded in disappointment. "My son, I thought you would've done better."

"I know what I'm doing, Mother, you just need to trust me." He pounced up turning to her. "Even if it doesn't go as planned, I'll never give up. Even if, all I get is a taste... I'll never let go."

"But you've come this far, you've done all these things, William. All these things. Where have they led you? And what about Isobel? Why must you allow her to solicit you?" she screwed her mouth.

"It's going to pay off soon, it always does. Just ask my father." He walked to the mantle, it seemed like he was deaf to her words, they made no effect on him. "And where Isobel is concerned, I'll compensate for her troubles." He wanted her nearby, even as a pawn, even if she thought they shared the same interests.

It had only been a moment but he wanted to see Lily.

"William." She opened up. "Do you need something?" She tucked her towel in tighter.

"Why don't you get dressed~" He glared at her utmost perfection then looked up to the sky. "And we can have a bite in the gazebo? Mother's going into town."

She stood in place thinking about it then she nodded. "I'll be right out." Then disappeared.

It wasn't long before Lily and William got to eat, they were silent for the first few minutes but after William sipped some water he pressed her on the topic. "So Jacob? Is he going to be okay?"

"He's going to be okay physically, I just don't think he's going to be okay in here." She tapped her template.

"Really? What do you mean?"

"The doctor said something about a concussion. He was supposed to die but instead, the accident took five years of his memory."

"So he doesn't remember you? Or Taylor? Or anyone he's been associated with during that time span? Interesting." He curled his lips up to give a smirk before sitting up and fixing his collar. "I've read a lot about these things in America, didn't think they could happen but I guess my hypothesis has been demolished."

"Where's Mrs. Beckingham off to?" She looked down at the plate.

"She's looking for caterers, she wants a head start when she prepares for the annual Fall Foxtrot."

"Fall Foxtrot?" She said. "I've heard about it but that was years ago."

"Well, since Dad's been away, it's been hard to celebrate anything."

"So he's coming in September?" Her eyes brightened, she'd long to meet the famous Beckingham.

"I highly doubt it. To share the truth, I don't think he's ever coming back."

"Well, that doesn't sound quite right." She perked up, now interested in talking. "He wouldn't do that, would he?" She touched the back of his hands, her eyes glistening at him like a child asking why her dog hasn't returned home in three days.

William didn't like that she pried on such things, he almost fell out of character. "You know how these things are, Lily. People would give anything for American life. They willingly sell their souls to the devil, why is this any different and why does it sound like an uncanny thing to do? Your mother would agree, wouldn't she?" He said grimly. "She left you for something she couldn't catch up with just like my father."

"That's not true." She choked out, pulling her hand away. She grabbed hold of the rail, trying to get up but flinched from a prick a thorn gave her generously.

"Lily." He said sternly, as she froze, watching the blood drain down from her fingers. He took her hand and gently pressed the tip of her finger up to his mouth. In silence, she lifted her head towards him, watching as he sucked on it for a second then grabbed a tissue to press it down. He looked at her as he held her hands. "You must learn to be more careful."

She wanted to say what was on her mind so she did, she waited a while. William seemed so focus on getting the blood to stop, she didn't want to interrupt him.

"William." She said softly, letting a deep sigh slip from her lips. It was adorable how he always took such good care of her. "I think it's time that I go back home." She said, almost serious.

"Go home?" He gulped, sitting up.

"There's only so much space in my heart." She explained. "I can take care of you and Mrs. Beckingham but I can't be a part of this family for I'm only a maid."

"What will it take~" He stood up, watching around and holding his waist~"For you to stay?" He ended.

"I've already made up my mind." She was persistent.

"Alright." He nodded, glancing at her. "When are you leaving?"

"I still have a little more time here, though." She said. "I can't go home just yet."

"Hey." He said, his face softening as he lifted her head to him. "It's okay."

She squinted her eyes. "What?" She said, pushing his hand away. "No, that's not why I don't want to go. I'm not scared if that's what you think." She walked to the edge and watched straight ahead. "I guess." She sighed. "I guess I'm tired of everyone treating me like a fragile plate or one of Mrs. Beckingham's wine glasses. I don't need anyone to treat me like a child. I'm not broken, I'm not." She turned to him, twisting her lips. "I don't need a shoulder to cry on, why can't you see that I've passed that stage... a long time ago. I just want to move on. I'm stronger than I seem, William, I am."

She felt his stare as she walked past but she didn't expect him to stop her. He held her wrist tightly, pulling her towards him. She felt them touch chest to chest and she slowly turned her eyes up to meet his. His soft whisper as they stayed in each other's arms, gave her goosebumps. "Who are you trying to convince?"