Fan Fiction |
by Jenny Tran
The group sat down together at a café shop not too far from the hospital. The day was long and dragging, starting off with bad news, then good news and finally bad again. Brad decided to break the silence when no one knew what to say “So Doug, you’re friends with the doctor there? I never heard you talk about that.”
Doug nodded, quickly catching on when Brad gave him a twitch of the eye “Oh yeah, Ethan Chan…one my good friends back in high school.”
“Ethan Chan?” Erin said out loud “He sounds very familiar…”
Matt suddenly looked up “Could he be the same guy that wrote that book on ‘Human Sociology’? Yeah…I think it is! Joe gave me a book a while back and told me to read it. It was really interesting.”
Erin smiled “I thought I was the only one that read that.” She turned to Doug “Looks like Mia’s in good hands.” Suddenly she felt a stab on her rib, she flinched in pain when she turned to Brad who then nodded towards Darren. Erin looked over at Darren “I didn’t mean it like that…”
Darren nodded slowly “I understand.”
“He’s not only a surgeon, he’s actually a psychiatrist too. I’m sure he’ll be able to help Mia remember again.” Erin was confident. But most of it was for the sake of Darren, who was looking more down by the minute.
Eric abruptly stood up causing everyone to turn to him, even Darren “Since all of you are here, I want to make an announcement.”
Matt put up a hand to pause him “Why don’t you sit down first, you don’t want to announce it to the whole restaurant do you?” he pointed to the strangers that were staring at the team.
Slowly Eric began to sit down with a bright red face “Sorry…” he muttered and then looked up at them again “I don’t think I’m cut out to be an agent.”
“But you’re doing a great job!” Doug argued.
Eric laughed “Who am I kidding? Didn’t you see how I reacted to that rotting body? None of you guys threw up. And trust me, I’ve seen more burned corpses than anything. But it was very disturbing…” he looked around and leaned in to whisper “I still have nightmares.” The team stifled giggles while Eric widened his eyes and nodded “In the dreams, she’s always calling…actually, it’s more like wailing for help.”
Brad smiled “It’s all in your mind. I told you to go to her funeral.”
“I was scared! What if I see her spirit standing there?” Eric shivered from the thought.
Matt laughed with his head shaking “I guess I should give Joe a call. With you gone, we’ll need a replacement.”
“How about Ted?” Erin asked suddenly. She didn’t see Brad’s disappointing face.
Matt nodded “He might be really busy juggling the police and P.R.A. That is, unless he quits the police to be with us. But I don’t see that happening. Then there’s Mia.”
The team turned to Darren with sympathetic looks but he was not upset “Don’t look at me like I’m about to die. At least she’s alive.”
Doug sighed “Thank God you feel that way!”
Erin smiled at him “As long as she’s still alive, you still have a chance to win back her love…again. Give it some time, I’m sure she’ll turn around some time.”
Darren slowly began to smile again, it looked foreign to the team “You’re right. I won her heart once, I could do it again!” he said with confidence. He leaned over and hugged Erin tightly as he gave her a rough kiss on the cheek “Thank you.” He began to get up.
“Where are you going?” Matt asked with a smile, obviously proud that Darren was becoming his old self again.
“Shower. I haven’t done it for days…” he smiled slyly.
“Should I ask?” Erin asked with her nose wrinkling while she smelled the sleeve of her shirt. It smelled like perspiration.
“You don’t want to know.” Darren laughed before rushing out of the café.
Brad stared after him “That is the first time I’ve seen him smile since…”
Doug nodded with understanding “I know. Feels good to have everyone back to normal… Well, almost.”
************
When Erin and Brad returned home, they found Ryan and Shelly playing video games again in the living room this time. After the first talk with Ryan, he remembered what to do to make Erin feel a little more relaxed. She smiled at the two kids, they would always be kids in her eyes “Who’s winning?” she asked casually while Brad got the mail.
“I am!” Shelly blurted out.
“Yeah, because I’m letting you win.” Ryan knew what to say to make her mad.
She instantly dropped her game control “You are?! I don’t want to play now.” She whined.
He laughed as he paused the game “I was just kidding, you are really good.” His eyes widened; trying to look convincing. Shelly smiled as she picked up her game and they continued. He turned to Erin and gave her a wink. She smiled and shook her head, but didn’t want to blow his cover.
Brad walked into the door with the mail in his hands. He was glancing over until he crossed a big red envelope “Looks like someone’s getting married.” He gave her the invitation.
In her mind, she was wondering who as she read the bright red words inside the card “You are cordially invited to the wedding ceremony and reception of Michael Wu and Julie Lee.” Her brows lifted “Wow…they’re getting married.” She smiled at Brad “I guess they’re making up for the four years they lost?”
************ One Month Later *************
Michael and Julie’s wedding was beautifully extravagant. The ceremony was taken place in a white chapel. She wore the most intricate designed white dress. Brad and Erin were full of smiles when the couple said their vows. He snuck a few glances at her while she was watching the ceremony with a content smile. Their hands entwined even when they got up when the mass ended.
The single girls followed the bride’s request to stand on one side as she turned her back to them and threw the bouquet far above her head. Erin, who tend to be more shy at social gatherings, stood in the back. To her luck, the flowers came flying into her arms. The crowd cheered while the guys pointed to Brad teasingly, making Erin blush profusely.
The reception was done at the Wu Mansion, the large piece of land was finally put to use. Rows and rows of white tables were set up with matching white umbrellas to block the guest and food from the sun. Towards the end of the reception, when the bride and groom had their first dance, Brad pulled Erin to her feet “Let’s take a walk.”
She looked around and then back at him with a nod “Okay.”
He took her further into the acres of land, the same road that she took at one time with Michael when she was working undercover. It brought back memories as she smiled to herself. Brad turned and caught her smile “What’s so funny?” he couldn’t help but smile.
“Nothing.” She shook her head. She stopped in her steps causing him to pause “Brad, I’ve been meaning to tell you something.” She began.
Brad nodded with a smile “Are you going to propose?”
She chuckled “No, that’s your job.”
He looked down at their clasped hands “You’re right.” Slowly he knelt on his knees while her smile disappeared and shock covered her face “Erin, I don’t know when I fell in love with you but I know that I want you to be by my side for the rest of our lives. Although we have many things to work at, I know we can do it because we are made for each other. I never thought I would marry my best friend and I thank God every day for bringing you into my life. With that said, will you marry me?”
By the time he was halfway through his speech, she was already crying. She uttered out the words “Yes…yes…I will.” He quickly stood up and embraced her tightly. He picked her up and spun her in circles while she giggled with glee. After he put her down, she smiled up at him through tears “Now, my turn.” He tilted his head “I’m sorry.”
“What for?” he asked with confusion.
“For everything. It’s a very hard word for me to say. But I’m sorry for my attitude, my stubbornness and especially for not compromising. A relationship takes a lot of hard work and I know I didn’t put much into this.” Erin smiled sincerely.
Brad shook his head “But all those personalities is what makes Erin…Erin. If you changed, you would not be the girl I fell in love with.”
“So you like our arguments?” Erin asked in surprise but she was half teasing.
He laughed “Of course not! But I like the making up part.” He pulled her into his chest while his hand stroked her hair “I love you.” He sighed.
“That sounded a little hesitant.” She joked “Are you sure you won’t regret this?”
“Brad Chung does not regret anything.” He said firmly.
************
With the support and coax from Dr. Ethan Chan, Mia eventually gave a call to Erin. She felt the girl did not want to harm her, unlike Darren. She asked if Erin would come to the hospital. Erin was shocked by the call, yet she was happy that Mia was stepping into the road of improvement “I was surprised you call.” Erin began as she sat down on the bed next to Mia.
Mia tilted her head with a smile “I figured, I can’t hide here forever. I want to know a little more about myself. Can you help me?”
Erin smiled “I’ve been waiting for that…” she began telling her about everyone. From Doug, Brad, the P.R.A. to Darren. Even though Mia wasn’t ready to accept Darren. She was willing to listen to the guy she had once fell in love with but can’t remember. By the end of the week, Mia requested that Erin help her out.
“I want to move out…since I am living with someone I can’t remember. I don’t think it’s good for a girl to be living with a guy.” She wrinkled her nose.
Erin laughed “That’s not what you use to tell me.” When Mia gave her the innocent look, she shook her head “Never mind. So where do you want to live?”
“I don’t know.” Mia frowned.
“How about you come live with me and Brad? We’ve got three rooms.” Erin pointed out “Shelly will still be there, but you can take over my room when I move in with Brad.”
Mia’s face beamed slowly “Are you sure it’s okay?” she saw Erin nod as she showed her the engagement ring. Mia reached out and touched it “Oh! He proposed?” she reached out to hug Erin “Congratulations!”
“Thank you.” Erin smiled “You have to be my maid of honor.”
“How about Shelly?” Mia asked with a smile.
Erin’s face fell “Crap…I forgot. Well, both of you can do it.” She said casually “Heck, I’m just happy someone wants to marry me.” The girls giggled like old times but Erin couldn’t help but feel different about it. Mia was Mia after all, her personality was still playful and perky but without the memories she was still not the same to Erin. She only worried what Darren would say when she had to break him the news.
On the day of the move, Darren was extra quiet as he helped Mia pack up her belongings. He took the news with shock and hurt but he was willing to adjust for her. He had to give her time. Darren was cleaning out the tapes when he found a blank cover, popping it into the VCR, he saw that it was Mia’s farewell tape. He sat a few feet from the television watching it. Mia was by the stairwell, when she heard her voice.
She stepped down slowly and stood closer to the TV. She watched the screen and then at Darren, who was covering his mouth; silent tears falling from his face. Mia stepped even closer as she took a seat next to Darren on the floor “When did this happen?”
He didn’t notice that she was there until he turned over startled, he quickly wiped the tears and smiled at her “When you were kidnapped.” He said slowly.
“Erin didn’t tell me about that part. Can you tell me more about us?” she asked and he looked up surprised but took the chance to tell her everything. Erin and Brad walked in to collect more of Mia’s belonging when they sat Darren and Mia having a serious conversation. The two smiled as they walked out to give them alone time.
They walked hand in hand down the block “What would you do if I were to lose my memory?” Erin asked Brad.
He let go of her hand as he placed his arm around her shoulders “I would do anything in my power to help you remember.”
“What if I was afraid of you? Or didn’t want to be around you?” Erin continued.
Brad smiled “I don’t know…that’s hard to say. You can’t resist my charms.”
She laughed while playfully hitting him on the chest “Very funny!” the two laughed together and for the first time since they began dating, there was a content feeling. Things were finally in place for the two of them. They were happy for Darren, who had changed back to his lovable self like when Mia was with him. She was giving him a chance yet it was still up in the air whether or not she would fully recover. Even if she didn’t, he would never give up on her. Memories could always be made, but a person could never be replaced.