The next week went by in a blur for Braydon. The only time he found himself able to relax was when he was in wolf form asleep on Miranda’s bed. She never asked him why he was choosing to sleep that way, and Braydon didn’t really know. The animals’ acceptance of her went deeper than he understood and in reality, if she was willing to let him be so close at night he would rather do it in his human form like at cabin.

What Braydon was learning, was all about Miranda’s life. Little things like how Miranda’s parents lived just outside the city. It took forty minutes to drive out there, or over an hour on public transport. Helen complained about as she came by every morning, set on cooking them breakfast and creating meals for the freezer, which was now full of so many different casseroles Miranda banned her from going grocery shopping to do even more.

Despite her complaining, Helen was loving it. She taught Braydon useful things like using the microwave and dishwasher. They went through simple tasks like doing a load of washing and boiling an egg. Most of this, Braydon was actually able to remember, but the older lady seemed so happy in teaching him and neither Miranda or Braydon had the heart to tell her. 

The wolf had found acceptance into Miranda’s pack. Donald returned to work a couple of days later, which was also why Helen was so keen to spend time with the pair of them.  The fact Miranda wasn’t too busy with work to see her was something her mother was going to hold onto for as long as she could, yet Miranda was struggling with the constant eyes on her. Jason didn’t help with that either.

While Helen was there fussing over Braydon and trying to work on her relationship with her daughter in the mornings, come late afternoon Jason would take her place once he finished at the office. When Miranda had asked him about taking things slow, he hadn’t expected it to be so, well, slow. Just like the information the private investigator he hired to find out about Braydon’s past, there wasn’t much happening for him at all and every time he’d walk into Miranda’s he would find her laughing with Braydon in front of the TV or napping on lounge beside him.

It had been some time since he saw her so, relaxed – happy even and he hated Braydon was the one to bring this Miranda back. It also made him worry so on Friday he didn’t go to work, turning up at ten to find Helen was sitting around the dining table with Braydon looking over men’s clothing catalogues.

“Jason, how good to see you again!” Helen was all smiles, having heard a little from Braydon about what happened between Jason and Miranda. All her attempts at finding out more had left her daughter going quiet or changing the topic.

“Hello Helen, is Miranda here?” Jason asked, looking around the obvious snub to Braydon was noticed by both of them.

Helen was coming to care for the man, who reminded her more of a lost boy than anything else and didn’t appreciate it. What Miranda had talked to her about was the tension between the two males and while she saw Miranda acting completely neutral to the pair of them when together, she couldn’t deny it warmed her heart to see that light in her daughters eyes when she was around only Braydon. It reminded her of the way her daughter used to be and couldn’t help thinking this whole ordeal was only turning into a positive.

“No, she has gone out to get something. Won’t be too long. Coffee?” Helen smiled, getting up to go to the kitchen.

“Thanks.” He mumbled, and her absence left him alone with Braydon.

Braydon stayed seated, looking up at Jason with his eyes rather than moving his whole head. It was a purely predatory move, similar to how the wolf would stalk his prey. The intimidation may not have been as great without the bulk of the wolf behind him, but it did unnerve Jason as he shifted his weight from foot to foot.

“So any memories coming back yet?” Jason finally broke the silence, moving awkwardly around the table to sit opposite Braydon. Jason didn’t like this feeling, like he wasn’t the one in control and with a toothy grin, met Braydon’s gaze. Something wasn’t right about this guy, and earlier thoughts of him being some kind of sociopath returned. He was positive Braydon didn’t even blink.

“No.” Braydon answered, sitting back in his chair comfortably. He saw how uncomfortable Jason was and liked it. “Nothing unfortunately.”

It was a good thing Jason wasn’t someone easily intimidated and he mimicked Braydon’s posture. “You know I’m going to work out who you are, so make the most of what ever this is. Once Miranda knows what you’re hiding, why you suddenly have this ‘amnesia’ and have been taking advantage of her kindness, you’re out of here and I’ll be the one throwing you to the streets!”

Feeling cocky, Braydon only smirked. “I doubt it.”

“Here we go!” Helen put down the three coffee cups she had expertly carried over to them, and pushing a blue mug to Braydon smiled at him fondly. “I know you don’t like coffee so I made you a hot chocolate!”

“Thank you!” Braydon returned her smile, daring to look at Jason who sat there scowling at him. Taking a sip, Braydon only decided to play it up more. “This is the most delicious thing I have ever had! What is in it?”

He knew what it was; it was marshmallows. Miranda made it the same way and while he couldn’t get enough of the sweet foods, these drinks were one of his favorites. Helen only glowed under the praise, making Jason groan like a impatient child not a thirty year old man. “Marshmallows sweet heart!”

“Where did Miranda go? How long has she been gone for?” Jason asked irritably.

“Oh she left early this morning. About eight!” Helen answered, looking back over one of the catalogues.

“Do you know where?”

“Yes.” She replied simply, smiling at Braydon like he was in on the secret.

“Care to share?”

“I can’t Jason, I’m sworn to secrecy!” It was then her phone beeped and Miranda’s name came up on the screen. She quickly opened it, grinning. “Oh, um. Braydon, be a love and go check on the washing I put on would you. Do you think you could put the towels in the dryer if they’re done?”

“Sure thing Mrs Wright!” Braydon left his spot only to have Helen stop him.

“Please sweet heart, I keep telling you to call me Helen!”

“Oh, right. Sure thing, Helen!” Braydon didn’t need to look at Jason, he felt the heat of his glare as he left the space yet paused on his way to listen in.

“You two seem awfully chummy?” Jason accused.

“He is such a nice boy, but you can see it in his eyes he has so much pain inside. I think finding Miranda was such a good thing for him, don’t you think?” Helen could see what Miranda had talked about. Jason did not like Braydon and she had no idea why. Braydon was always so quiet and polite; it was hard not to like him.

“I don’t trust him. I can’t believe you’re all okay with leaving Miranda alone with him!”

“She is a big girl Jason, if something was wrong she’d tell us!”

Jason shook his head, frowning. “No, that’s not true or have you forgotten all of that too?”

Now Braydon was interested and leaning against the wall, continued to eavesdrop.

“She is different now, all that was years ago!” Helen answered uncertainly.

“Do you really know where she is? All this stress and it wouldn’t take much to-“

Helen cut him off, her own anger obvious. “I know exactly where she is. I do not like what you’re implying Jason. If that’s how you feel get out, now!”

“That’s not what I meant. I just care about her too much to see her go through all that again!” Jason defended, softening his own tone.

“With no trust, there is no relationship and if she even suspects you’re thinking that about her, she’ll be gone before you can even think of stopping her.”

The silence that followed had Braydon confused and getting to the laundry found the towels to be in the dryer already. So why had she sent him down here?

‘Miranda’s home’

The thought had him leaving the laundry and he could barely make out hushed voices.

“Where is he?” Miranda whispered, the rustle of plastic bags drowning out everything else. “Ssh Rory!”

“What is all this?” Jason demanded, and the noise was getting a little closer.

“It’s for Braydon. The last thing he remembers is from about ten years ago, so I thought this might help!” Miranda giggled.

“He is going to love it!” Rory agreed.

“I’ll go get him!” Helen whispered.

Only Miranda stopped her. “No I will!”

Braydon turned and went back into the laundry, staring at the towels through the clear door as he sensed Miranda behind him. Turning, he wasn’t expecting to see her looking so, bright. She was glowing. Her ponytail swung from side to side as she walked in, her smile was as big as a mad mans and her eyes seemed to light up the room. At least they lit up something inside of Braydon.

“Hey!” She greeted, reaching out to take his hand, “Come here for a sec!”

Braydon said nothing, speechless, as it was like he had forgotten what she looked like and was just as taken by her as the first time he had seen her. She led him into the living room, letting go of his hand she spun around and clapped excitedly. “Surprise!”

Looking behind her, Braydon didn’t really get it until Rory and Helen ripped open the large plastic bags. Now he understood.

“It’s a Playstation, I hunted around and got you an old one like you’d remember and the newest one. The change in technology is going to blow your mind – more than all the TV channels!” Miranda rambled quickly, dragging him over to the bag of games for the new and old consoles. “And, when you’ve had enough of them, look what else I got!”

She pulled out a bunch of DVDs with all of his favorite characters on the front. Batman, Spiderman, Superman, The Hulk – they were all there. Just like she promised in the forest, had he let her go she would get all of the new movies for him to watch.

“What do you think sweet heart?” Helen asked, more excited at seeing his speechless response than a parent sitting by the tree on Christmas morning.

“I-I don’t know what to say. Thank you!” Braydon stuttered, looking over the latest Batman trilogy. He grinned stupidly, resisting the urge to start bouncing up and down in sheer excitement.

Miranda practically threw herself at him, feeding off his energy and all of his new toys were forgotten as he held her tightly.

“And you’re in luck. Rory here is a total gaming nerd so he can help set it all up for you and when he is at home, he can play against you too! How neat is that!” It wasn’t just Braydon who was in awe of current technology, but Miranda was as well.

“It’s all online now, it’s been around for a while Andy.” Rory blushed slightly at her praise. He still wasn’t used to seeing her so, normal and carefree.  She wasn’t a bad boss, but she had a very precise way she wanted things done which could be a bit demanding at times. Plus he rarely saw her out of the workplace, unless it was an official work function and trying to imagine her like that now was hard.

Braydon looked at Rory for a second, noticing how his cheeks had turned red. He awkwardly ran a hand through his dark hair, not loving being the main focus of attention in the room and that’s when Braydon noticed the cartoon image of ninja turtles on his t-shirt. They clearly had something in common and Braydon knew Rory wasn’t a threat to him. The word friend came to mind and if Miranda liked him, so did he. A look at Jason who stood in the living room doorway only made Braydon like Rory more, as clearly Jason wasn’t impressed with anything happening right now.

“I’m sure they want to get it all set up Miranda, how about we leave them to it and go out for lunch?” Jason offered, glancing at Helen who only rolled her eyes as she helped Rory start to take cables and things out of the boxes.

“Oh I dunno, I’ve been gone all morning!” Miranda sighed, getting up to go stand by Jason. She didn’t like deserting Braydon, but looking over at him as he helped Rory and her Mum, he seemed okay.

“I insist, we can go to that Italian place you like so much?” He purred, having done a few checks over her company credit card, it was the one place she always went to for business lunches.

“Oh I have missed Antonio’s cooking!” Her stomach growled hungrily as her mouth began to water at the thought of the freshly made pasta. “Braydon, will you be alright if I go out for a little bit?”

“He isn’t a child Miranda,” Jason answered for him, before talking in a lower voice to Miranda only, “besides the fact he acts like one.”

“Be nice!” She hissed under her breath, pushing him backwards into the corridor.

“I was?” Jason faked his confusion and held his hands up innocently.

Turning back to Braydon, Miranda ignored Jason and went over to him. “You wont even notice I’m gone. Once Rory has this set up, I’m going to be lucky if you even talk to me!”

“That won’t be a problem, but go. Have fun!” Braydon wasn’t sure how he managed to even say that. “Thank you, for all of this Miranda.”

“You’re welcome.” The pair hugged again, and as Miranda found herself wanting to stay. Some time apart would be good for them and after this week, Jason really did deserve some alone time with her.

“Mum, did you want a ride back to the train station?” Miranda asked, grabbing her purse as she changed her shoes.

“That would be great honey!” Helen was more than happy to get out her current task of getting everything out of the packaging and after saying goodbye to Rory and Braydon followed Jason and Miranda out.

Now he was left alone with Rory, Braydon wasn’t sure what to say to him. “So, you do this a lot?”

“You should see my set up at home, good thing working for Miranda pays well!” He laughed, shifting the TV so he could access the plugs behind it.

“You’ve worked with her a while then?”

“A year or so. Do not get on her bad side, she can explode when she’s angry, but she is firm, but fair.  She put more time into training me than any other person I’ve worked for, we have a good thing going.” Rory seemed happy to talk about work with Braydon, filling him in on the office, what they do and how full on their schedule usually is.  “I’m only working as her assistant, the amount of shit she does for Jason, well Mr Carpe, I better not get to used to calling him that, is insane. One of the rumors is she slept her way to the top, but I know that’s not true. She just works hard!”

Braydon remembered how angry he had made Miranda and knew exactly what Rory meant when he warned him against making her explode. For some so tiny, she definitely wasn’t weak.

“I’ve never met someone with amnesia before. What’s it like?” Rory asked, stepping back to turn on the TV.

“Um, frustrating I guess.  I haven’t forgotten everything, just um, family, friends, that kind of thing. The last ten years are a mystery!”

“So you were living out in the forest?” His interest was genuine, though his mind went through sci-fi dominated possibilities. Maybe Braydon was an alien or an escaped science project? Some of his mannerisms were strange and there was one thing that was very clear. He liked his boss.

“Yeah, I just woke up out there in this cabin. I had no idea where I was and thought maybe people would be looking for me so stayed there. Then I found Miranda and she wasn’t there looking for me. So we kept together and help eventually came.” There was some truth there and only made Rory decide that the government was behind it

“Ever dream of science labs or anything like that?”

“No?” Braydon looked at his new friend confused and the suddenly blast of noise from the TV distracted both of them.

“Ok, ready to catch up on what you’ve been missing?” Rory grinned, throwing a controller over at Braydon the pair settled in front of the TV as Rory quickly put in a game for them to play.

Miranda was right; once the pair got stuck into it Braydon barely noticed she was gone.

-x-

 “Ah ciao Andy!” Antonio greeted Miranda with open arms, “I’ve been so worried Bella. Where have you been?”

“Hello Antonio. A very unplanned mini-vacation, but I hope you haven’t changed the menu on me!” Miranda smiled, following the old Italian man to her usual table in the alfresco area. “You remember Jason Carpe?”

“Si, I prepare special meal for you. Sit, relax, Antonio knows what you want!”

“Grazie!”

The waitress appeared seconds later, filling their glasses with water before another appeared with a bottle of Pinot Grigio Rosè.  Without a word she opened the bottle, pouring a sample into Miranda’s wine glass. The fruity, pink wine was just as she remembered and with a nod, both glasses were filled.

“So you come where often?” Jason hoped Miranda didn’t see the worry on his face as she sipped her wine, enjoying the taste of her favorite drink on their menu.

“Yeah, more than work allows. They do the best pizza’s and have a take away menu too!” Miranda sat back enjoying the sun. The steady flow of traffic was something she was getting used to. Her days of silence and serenity a thing of the past almost comparable to a vacation. Despite the crash and everything, she did feel renewed. Maybe it was fates way of showing her she needed a break.

“Good wine?” Jason lifted his own glass, finding it a little sweet to his usual tastes.

“The best, I could drink liters of this!” Miranda joked, though the serious look on Jason’s face had her smile dropping. “What?”

“What?” Jason repeated back.

“You look serious all of a sudden?”  It took Miranda a second to work it out. It was just like their lunch after she left the hospital. He didn’t want her to drink only here, he didn’t get the ability to intervene. “You’re kidding right?”

“What?” Narrowing her eyes, Jason caved. “I’m sorry, it’s a stressful time and I’d hate for you to fall back into, old routines.”

“Is that really all you still see me as? I’m still that girl you fixed?” Despite sounding so angry, Miranda was really only disappointed.

“No, not at all!” Jason tried to defend, knowing Helen had been right. “I really don’t. It’s just with everything that has happened, I was worried.”

Miranda stayed silent, twirling the stem of the wine glass in her hand. “It was seven years ago. I can’t believe you’d even bring that up! Have you been waiting this whole time to see if I’d go back to that?”

“No! Of course not, I was just talking to your Mum and-“

“To Mum? Are you serious? No wonder none of you are leaving me alone; you’re not worried about Braydon at all. It’s me – is he in on it too? Do you have him reporting back to you when you’re not around?” Now she was angry.

“This isn’t coming out right. No, Miranda. No! For the record, I really don’t like him and what’s to say he isn’t going to kill you or something while you sleep? Your Mum thinks your fine and I should have listened to her. I just got you, I don’t want to lose you now! Please, I’m sorry!” Jason begged, taking her hand in his.

It was then Antonio appeared with the seafood platter and garlic pizza in his hands. “Buon Appetito!”

“Grazie! This looks fantastico!” Miranda pulled her hand free of Jason’s and as they were left alone once more, she started to eat. No more words were spoken and once lunch was over, the silence stayed between them as they joined the city crowds.

“Please talk to me!” Jason begged, wanting to clear the air between them. “Miranda, please. I’m sorry!”

“How did you do it, all those parties – all that champagne! You must think I’m an alcoholic. I’m surprised you even let me go to those business events. I was a stupid kid then Jason, and when she died I was hurting. I’ve always thought of you as this, amazing guy. For a minute there, I thought the past was the past and you must think I’m something special too!”

“I do think that! I’ve always thought that!” He was loosing her, he knew it. Luckily for him, he did know her and how to get her back.

Leaving her side, Jason stepped up onto the ledge around the fountain that sat on the corner by the traffic lights. People in business suits didn’t pay him much attention, the few eating lunch around his feet glanced up and a group of tourists stopped to stare. “Can I have your attention please! Attention please! That girl there, Miranda Wright is the most amazing, special girl in the whole world!”

“Get down Jason!” Though Miranda managed to crack a tiny smile. The thought of the most serious guy she knew, acting like an idiot meant something to her.

“Not until you believe me!” He answered, pointing her out again, “She is smart, kind, feisty and god, look at that smile!”

“Ok, I believe you, get down!” The passerby’s all stopped to stare now and Miranda went closer to try and pull him down. “Please, enough!”

“No, I think you still don’t believe me, that you’re just saying it to shut me up!” Jason let go of his own inhibitions, continuing to yell. “When she was ten, she found a stray dog and after her parents were going to send it to the pound hid it in her back shed, looking after it until she found its owners. When she was thirteen she tutored younger kids who were struggling with Math for free most days after school. When she was seventeen, she kept my family together during the hardest of times. If that’s not an amazing person, I don’t know what it. I need you Miranda, I always have!”

His declaration of things Miranda didn’t even know he knew about had her trying to hold back tears and finally he stepped down, taking her in his arms. “Now do you believe me?”

She only nodded and welcomed his kiss as a few people around them clapped. Miranda blushed as Jason held her close, the pair laughing before he started to lead them away. “How did you even know that stuff?”

“You were Casey’s best friend, I knew a lot about what you two got up to!” Jason knew things were going to be fine now, and kept his arm over her shoulders as they walked, smiling as she put her arm around his back.

“Why didn’t you ever say anything before?”

“I didn’t think it was appropriate. I didn’t want you to ever think I was taking advantage of you and then we just fell into our own routine.” Jason kissed the top of her head, liking how well she fit against him.

Despite everything, Miranda couldn’t shake the feeling this wasn’t a good idea. Maybe once she got over his earlier comments, she would realize she was just over reacting.

“We’ve been gone a while, we should really get back otherwise Rory might think we’re going to be paying him to babysit.” Miranda sighed, almost thankful to be going home.

“What’s the deal with you and Braydon?” Jason asked casually, and looking up at him, the usual distaste that he got when talking about Braydon was missing. Miranda only took this as a good sign the pair might actually learn to get on, when in reality it was only because after their afternoon together, Jason didn’t see Braydon as a threat any more.

“No deal, he is actually a really nice guy if you’d give him a chance. He’s been through a lot, and just needs some time to adjust.” Choosing her words carefully, Miranda smiled up at Jason.

Well he didn’t see Braydon as a threat until he noticed how Miranda talked about him. There was something in her voice that told him he’d never be giving Braydon a chance or getting to know him. Worse than that, he was certain Miranda knew more than she was letting on and he was determined to find out what it was.