He had been so happy when she returned. When he had seen her standing in his office doorway with suitcase in hand, hair wet, and tired eyes. He had thought that all his dreams had come true and all his wishes had been granted. He had not had to think before he had asked 'Why?' and been granted with the life-affirming answer of 'Because I cannot live without you, Mac, it is not possible.' He had never seen her move as fast as she did into his arms. Fixing him with a tight hug... Followed by a hungry kiss.
The next few months had been bliss. The stolen kisses and midnight promises, all sealed in the moonlight. Those sacred moments that belonged to only them. The first year of marriage would have been the perfect description of paradise to any dictionary. The birth of Joshua had been the peak. It had been the cherry on top of the sweetest cake.
Everything that goes up must come down.
Then the fights had started. The games of who was to blame. She no longer waited up to see him home from work. His presence no longer made the smile reach her eyes. Now tired eyes met his usual jokes, and sighs met his words. He worked later, and started earlier.
It had not been a shock when he returned one night to find her things packed. Her large suitcase and Joshua's small one had been near the door. Joshua was staying with a friend, but she was waiting. Eyes tired. It was stupid but he couldn't stop the 'Why?' escaping his mouth. She spoke soul-crushing words in response 'Because I cannot live with you Mac, it is just not possible.' She moved quicker than he had ever seen her move towards the door. She did not look back as she walked out of the apartment, out of the building, and out of their relationship.
A broken man, once again, he walked into the kitchen where a single gold band was catching the moonlight. With his rugged hands he picked it up and felt it with his fingers. He whispered to it the only word he could. The word that could give him both the want to die: and the will to live. The word that was a contradiction in itself: 'Stella'.
Sorry guys, just sorry.