The Vow au bc I love this plot twist and Aqua/Jim are adorable

[done_in_3]

Three years, nearly four, of wedded bliss. Jim was calmer, more focused and honestly a better captain. He had his wife, his beloved Aqua to thank for that, she was his light, his heart, his whole world. She kept him grounded and morally upright and he honestly took fewer stupid risks with his life thanks to her. The crew ran better, the Enterprise had better records, life was good.

Jim had bought them a house for when he was on Shore Leave on Earth, it barely got used but when Enterprise was docked, well they needed to crash somewhere. It was a nice place in San Francisco, in the heart of downtown and worth every penny of the millions it was worth.The property values were sky high but Jim was a veteran captain and got paid accordingly. He used his money on very little else besides charity so he was happy to spoil his wife with a comfortable home. Besides, if and when they had kids... well if their house just happened to be in an ideal school district he wouldn't call it an accident.

Everything was perfect, which begged for it all to come crashing down soon enough. Jim wouldn't remember the crash or the drunk kids in a truck behind him and Aqua on the road, he wouldn't remember that he shouldn't be alive, his wayfinder had saved him....but he doesn't know what this anymore. All he knows is he's laying in bed, he feels numb.. and he's waking up in what sounds and smells like a hospital.

"Mmm... mm." he was so tired and yet his mind was racing with questions. 'Where am I? What happened? Where's my ship?'

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[watersacrificed]

If Jim adored it so much, then maybe Aqua should take to stealing more of his old shirts to wear to bed. It was a habit she developed back when they were on the Enterprise.

"It took a very long time, like over a year. You wanted to make sure every single detail was right..." Plus Jim wanted updates every chance he could. He wanted to build the dream house for them to live in. For them to raise a family in.

"It wasn't because of funding, but it was just the little things. You and I went over every detail of this place. From the flooring to what color of white we wanted on the walls."

[done_in_3]

He won't stop her. Hint hint.

"Yeah, even how many wall outlets we have. This room has eight, that's twice what most bedrooms get, even masters." indeed, the colors were all precise, the flooring and tile were perfectly matched with the walls and windows. This place was a piece of art. This place was his baby at one point, he could tell.

"I actually found something... while I was exploring my old stuff. I think it was supposed to be a surprise but I'll get over it even if I get my memory back. I had plans for an extension to the house apparently. I had them locked up, I don't think I wanted you to know."

[watersacrificed]

If he wouldn't stop her, she'll gladly continue.

The house was Jim's baby, Aqua would freely admit to it. The dedication he had to the project was amazing, though at times it was frustrating. Especially when they were going over such silly things like knobs. The color of knobs, what texture they should have, but she knew it was important to him so she withstood it.

"An extension?" Aqua raised an eyebrow then, looking him over.

"That is quite a surprise. I know you briefly mentioned it maybe once or twice, but I thought...could've sworn we were done with doing anything else to the house." What was her husband planning before the accident?

"You...were and continue to be full of surprises."

[done_in_3]

He'd be a happy man.

Indeed the house clearly showed the care he put into it, the care they both put in. Jim is sure Aqua wad die a lot of credit for her patience. He looked both excited and nervous as he continued.

"I sketched out a lot of different versions but I think I settled on one...I drew it about six times all from different angles. I was ah...I think I was going to surprise you. It's a library."

[watersacrificed]

Aqua began to grow concerned when she looked over her husband. He looked like he had something on his mind, but she wouldn't pry. Whatever it was, he'd tell her in time. At least, that's what the old him did. Him now...hard to tell what exactly he'd do.

"...A library?" she repeated, clearly shocked he had been thinking of such a thing.

"You...wanted to build a library? ...For me?" she repeated again, tears pricking at her eyes.

"..you really know how to make a girl cry, don't you."

[done_in_3]

He blinked then looked a bit surprised. This was a good cry right? Right??

"Yeah. I think I wanted to surprise you for our anniversary or your birthday. Not sure which but I clearly was planning to keep is a secret as long as I could. I had half a mind of continuing that but I have no idea now if these plans are even something you'd like...I have pictures I drew if you want to see them?"

[watersacrificed]

It was a good cry, Jim didn't have to worry about that.

Aqua brought her hand up to wipe away her tears, telling herself to get in control of her emotions before she began to sob. Jim was truly an amazing man. She was lucky to have him.

"A library was something we talked about, but I didn't think you'd build one for me, but I would love to see the drawings." she told him, leaning in closer, propping herself up to deliver a heartfelt kiss.

"You are an amazing, incredible man. You know that?"

[done_in_3]

He looked away but smiled, he was loved. He knew it, no need to rub it in. He was blushing, gosh Aqua. He busied himself with scrounging for his tablet so he could show off the pictures he'd scratched together. He was kind of proud of the place, it looked spectacular if he said so himself. For a moment he remembered... flipping through this before. He used to show Aqua things on this all the time, stupid jokes or pictures. Half his bookmarks were things he saved to show her.

He was crazy about her wasn't he? Bones had been right. That wasn't a memory of actually loving her, just accepting the fact that he did.

He accepted her kiss with more warmth than he'd shown before. He was eager to see her smile now.

"I used to be at least... but here, have a look."

[watersacrificed]

Aqua remained at Jim's side, leaning against him with her head on his shoulder. There were tears still pricking at the corners of her eyes, but she held back the tears. She didn't want to make him feel awkward or bad for making her cry. For the first time in months, it felt like she had a piece of her husband back. The man who stole her heart was doing it again, whether he knew it or not.

"No, you still are. Deep down, you are," she whispered, eyes looking at his tablet. There were dozens of sketches of how the library would look. All of them were breath taking in their own right. It would be hard to pick one.

"...I think I'm falling in love with you all over again." Aqua murmured, awestruck over the detail in each drawing.

[done_in_3]

"Yeah? I think I can get into that." he put an arm around her back and flipped through the pictures.

"I think my intention was to use all of these... but this one..." something was coming back to him. "This one I only wanted the shelves. And I wanted the shelves to look like that all over the whole library if that didn't bother you. And I wanted two floors with a huge skylight...holy shit I'm remembering." he looked to her flabberghasted.

"I'm remembering! This! This one....I...I liked the built-ins, I wanted them to be fucking everywhere, I didn't want any walls untouched. But you know, if you want to put pictures up we can do that too. And these two... I wanted to have both here because I thought this might be your sanctuary after it's built. And the rest of the house is decadent, why not?"

he felt amazing, he remembered the project, remembered all the thoughts he had about it. He didn't remember his love for his wife... but he was getting somewhere.

"Aqua, I think if I work on this I might remember more."

[watersacrificed]

Aqua's eyes lit up at Jim's expression. He was remembering things? He was remembering the project he kept in secret for her. Her heart was beating quickly in her chest the more he poured out the details of what he wanted to build for her. A labor of love that was guiding him back to what he was before.

"It's a start...it's a lovely, wonderful start..." she told him, tears stinging her eyes until they fell down her cheeks.

She was happy, it showed in her eyes. He didn't have to make her anything so luxurious, but he was. He was methodical in everything he did and it showed. Now that trait was guiding him back to her.

Aqua bowed her head and covered her mouth, trying to keep herself from sobbing.

[done_in_3]

He watched her and felt bad for making the tears come. He felt a strange warmth... a need to make that go away and to nurture the joy. He tugged her closer, then physically picked her up and set her in his lap. Gently he brushed her tears away.

"Hey... hey come on. You cry then I'm gonna cry and I get like a baby when I cry." he's making it up to make her laugh "I'm gonna be a mess just 'waaaaah' and then we're both going to be unhappy." he hugged her.

"Besides, when santa brings you a library you're supposed to smile, silly."

[watersacrificed]

The bluenette didn't realize what was happening until she was tugged into Jim's lap. Her lower lip was trembling as tears ran down her face. No matter what she tried to do the tears wouldn't stop. They kept flowing and she wished they had some tissues near by. Just when she thought things couldn't get anymore touching, Jim began to wipe her tears.

There was a weak smile among the tears and sobbing.

"You still look cute when you cry.." she murmured, holding him tightly as she returned the hug.

"Pregnant...remember? Mood swings and...overly emotional and so...so happy."

[done_in_3]

The old Jim might have rocked her and hummed something until she got sleepy. This Jim just decided enough was enough and hoisted her up, carrying her downstairs with him.

"Right, pregnant and with no dinner. Come on, you need something and chocolate milk ails any tears." sure that was fattening and not at all healthy but whatever. Preggers means she is allowed. He wondered gently if he'll remember everything before the baby arrives... if he'll have time to anticipate with joy rather than terror.

[watersacrificed]

When Jim picked Aqua up, she let out a light 'eep', wondering what he was doing. She was wiping away her tears with her wrists to truly see what was going on. The mention of chocolate milk made her pause and wonder if they even had any int he house. More than likely they did, or at least the stuff that could be mixed in with regular milk.

"Ahh, I'll be fine. I'll be fine. I just...need to get it out of my system." But she didn't squirm or move out of his grasp. She stayed in his arms until he placed her down. She was taking in deep breaths, trying to calm herself down and find her center.

Her center couldn't be reached apparently. Jim's memory was coming back little by little. It was something to celebrate entirely and her body decided crying was the best way.

"Go ahead and eat. I'm fine. Really, I p-promise."

[done_in_3]

"I already ate but I totally could go for dessert." you know, the kind that's cake and not Aqua. He mixes chocolate and milk together, maybe adding some creme too to make it super awesome. He sets a glass in front of her.

"I can make you something though, you need to eat anyway. Be right back." he set her at their kitchen bar so he's never more than ten feet from her and right in her sight.

[watersacrificed]

Aqua didn't move from her spot, her eyes watching Jim. Perhaps it was better he stayed in her line of vision. Aqua was already hormonal and emotional as is, if he moved away she would start to cry some more. She was acting like a little kid who needed a lot of attention and support.

"Okay..." she muttered, wiping her eyes again.

"...Where are you going?"

[done_in_3]

"To the fridge and then the oven and then back to you." he said smoothly. He fetched leftovers from the fridge and popped them into the oven under the broiler. Then he returned to her side with a soda.

"See? I'm not gonna run off." he even had some tissues he snagged off the counter for her. "I should be grateful this mood swing has you happy to see me and not angry and yelling. You think you'll have one of those?"

[watersacrificed]

Aqua was very appreciative of Jim's patience. Her crying was starting subside, the tears lessening along with the sniffling. She watched him go to the fridge and the like as she sat.

When he finally returned to her, she couldn't help but reach out to lightly take and hold.

"I don't know..maybe? When it's closer to the due date and I'm in horrible, horrible pain?" there was a hint of teasing in her voice as she took one of the tissues to wipe her eyes.

[done_in_3]

"I think we'll handle it." he smiled and leaned into her touch. He took her hand and sat close to her so their shoulders were touching. He only left to get her plate of food.

"Go on, eat. You need to be eating more anyway, not less. I know I am a drama queen who ruins lives but try to cope with my devastation." he pretended to sweep back long hair like a true diva.

[watersacrificed]

The dramatic flare from her husband earned him a weak laugh. She leaned against him, slowly eating her food. Aqua was taking small bites here and there, but at least she was eating.

"This is really good. Then again, you have a way with food so, this isn't surprising." Even though they left the roast int he oven far too long, the meat was still tender.

[done_in_3]

"Thanks." he wondered if she said that often or if she said it only because he'd forgotten the first time she ever said it. He did have a way with food, he could have been a star chef instead of a captain but that was just a little too boring for him. He wanted action.

"What's your favorite food? I ought to start making that anyway. And don't say anything I make."

[watersacrificed]

"...Well that is true." Anything he made was her favorite, but it was hard to narrow done one choice. She nibbled on her food in thought, trying to pick the one dish she liked among the many he made.

"You make a lot of great food, but...pastas. I love how you make it and it's...one of the first things we ate together." It was a corny and silly reason for it to be her favorite, but he had her answer.

"Tomorrow night I'll cook. You deserve a night off form kitchen duties."

[done_in_3]

"Pasta it is then. Any particular kind?" he smiled at her little story.

"Did I make that too? Tell me I made that. I bet I did." he could imagine himself rigging the ship's replicator to make a real meal instead of ration crap.

"If you want but you know I've got a very refined palate, I won't accept just anything now."

[watersacrificed]

"Mmmm, the marinara kind. The way you make the sauce is delicious beyond words." She took another bite of her food, nearly half way through clearing her plate.

There was a nod of her head. A faint blush came over her cheeks as she squeezed his hand.

"Yes, you did. It was after you kissed me and I was still trying to figure out what exactly happened. You offered to make dinner back in your quarters and I agreed. You certainly knew how to charm a girl..."

As for her cooking, well, she was okay she supposed. It was better than the store box stuff.

"I'll do my best to make sure your taste buds are happy."