Notes & Disclaimers: Anything you recognize as familiar belongs to Janet Evanovich. I am just borrowing her characters for fun and am not making anything from the story. Also, I don't have a Beta, so any mistakes you see are mine.

WARNING! This story is rated M. It has violence and angst in it. This particular chapter has a dark part to it where Stephanie relives her attack when confronting Morelli. Please use your own discretion at reading because this story is not Morelli friendly. Major angst! Remember that this is fiction, so I have taken some creative liberties. This is not a Cupcake story so don't read if that bothers you.

Previously:

I pulled her to me gently and kissed her curls. "Babe, you are my life and my future. Nothing will ever change that. I promise. Take all the time you need to feel better, and to heal. And I promise that I'll be here holding you every step of the way. Now sleep Babe. You need the rest."

And with that, Stephanie closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep while I said a silent prayer of thanks to God. I thanked him for bringing her through the past week of trials; and I thanked him for allowing me to be the man who would live every day of his life trying to deserve her.

\ / \ / \ / \ / \ / \ /

I held Stephanie as she slept, and drifted off to sleep myself. I would awaken any time she sighed or moved in the least. She hadn't had any pain medicine, and occasionally the soft light of the nightlight would show her face grimaced in pain. I wanted to wake her up for some pain medicine, but was torn since she needed rest as well. After being asleep for about four hours, my decision to wake her was made for me. I woke to her frantic screams for help, and her tossing fretfully under the covers. I gathered her up in my arms and talked to her in whispered tones, but nothing seemed to wake her from the death grip of her nightmare. Finally, I called her name in a loud, stern voice. "Stephanie!" She finally awoke with a start, and stilled immediately.

"Babe, I didn't mean to frighten you. But I was scared you were going to pull your stitches. You were having a bad dream. It's ok. I'm here and you're safe."

Stephanie nodded and took several deep breaths. I could feel her heartbeat against my chest since I had her pulled to me. It was frantic. I whispered in Spanish to her, and rubbed her back gently. "Do you want to talk about it Babe?"

Silent tears slid down her face but her voice was steady yet soft. "Carlos, it was the same dream as before. Each time I close my eyes he's there. Above me. Hitting me. I cry out and no one hears. And I feel so helpless. I'm always so scared in the dreams. He's hurting me, and the pain seems so real. I can feel him violating me, hurting me. It just seems so real- it's like living the whole ordeal over. When will the pain go away? I just want to be able to move on and not remember. I don't want to remember what it felt like. Why am I dreaming now? I didn't dream like this while I was in the hospital. I don't understand."

"Babe, I think it's probably because of the pain meds you were on. They kept you so sleepy that your subconscious mind didn't have a chance to process everything. It'll get easier, I promise. But I'm here. And I promise you that you don't have to do this alone. I'll be beside you each step of the way."

"Carlos, I appreciate everything you've done. But I feel like such a burden to you."

"Stephanie, listen to me. Do not for one minute think that you are a burden. You and I have waited a very long time for our love to become a reality. And I'll be damned if Morelli is going to steal that away from us. I am not going to let his evilness overshadow what we have. We'll get through this. I promise. I love you Stephanie. Nothing will change that. And I'm here for you. Right here is where I want to be."

Stephanie looked up into my eyes and I could see love and trust in them. She spoke softly, while pulling me closer. "I love you so much Ranger! You know that right? I love you with all that I am. Forever."

I nodded. "Of course I do Steph."

"Ranger, will you do me a favor?"

"Of course, Babe. Anything."

"Will you call tomorrow and make an appointment for me? With one of the therapists?"

I smiled and softly kissed her lips. "Sure thing Babe. I'll do it first thing in the morning. I'm proud of you."

I held her until she drifted off to sleep again, and the rest of the night passed without further nightmares.

/ \ / \ / \ / \ / \ / \

The next morning, I woke before Stephanie, and called down to Ella for breakfast. While waiting, I showered, and then called to make the appointment for Stephanie as I had promised. One of the therapists was here in Trenton, and could see Stephanie later this afternoon at 2pm. I agreed to the appointment, after stressing the urgency for confidentiality to both the receptionist and the therapist herself. I called down to Tank to have him run a quick search on the therapist to make sure they were legit, and asked him to assign someone to accompany us to the appointment. That way we could be dropped off at the door of the office, and it would lessen the likelihood of anyone seeing us entering or exiting the vehicles after parking in the area. I wanted to make sure that Stephanie had the privacy that she needed at this time.

I went in to wake Stephanie with a gentle touch to her arm. I didn't want to frighten her in her sleep. "Stephanie, Babe. Time to wake up." She murmured and started to stretch, wincing when she remembered her stitches and sore body. The bruising was fading more each day, and Bobby would be able to remove the stitches from her temple in a few more days. But the stitches from her surgery would remain until her follow up appointment. "How do you feel Babe?"

"Sore. But that's getting better each day."

"Good. Ella is going to be bringing breakfast any minute. I wanted to talk to you about something concerning her before she got up here. Babe, she saw you the other night when she came up to clean up the bathroom. I wanted to ask before she got here if you wanted her to know what went on. You don't have to tell her. And I'll respect whatever you decide. But Ella loves you like a daughter, and I thought you might appreciate someone to talk to. But it's up to you."

Stephanie seemed to think that over for a few seconds. "I guess it's ok. But I don't really want anyone else knowing what happened yet. As soon as we press charges, the whole Berg will know what happened."

"Well, Steph, they may know the charges, but I plan on requesting that the courtroom be closed, and I hope that we can get the trial moved to another city due to both of you being people well known by the public in Trenton. Hopefully, we'll get a better selection for the jury if we go out of the area. But speaking of pressing charges, when would you like to do that? I'm just waiting on your word. You don't have to do it today, but we can't exactly hold him here forever."

"How have you been able to hold him here this long without someone wondering where he is?"

"Let's just say he was strongly encouraged to make a few phone calls about an out of town assignment. He's expected back in a few days."

"Well, no time like the present. Let's eat breakfast, and then I'd like to see him before we press charges. Can you arrange for the attorney to meet us today?"

"No problem Babe. But I don't think you should see Morelli right now. It's still too soon, don't you think?"

"No, Carlos. This is something I have to do. I want to face him and let him see what he did to me before all the bruising is gone. I need to begin moving forward with my life. The sooner I confront him and press charges, the sooner I will be able to put all this behind me. Can I use some of the pictures that Kayla took the night I was attacked? "

"Of course. But what are you planning on doing Stephanie?"

"Joe was drunk when he attacked me. I could smell it on him. That doesn't justify what he did, but I doubt he remembers all of it. I remember every bit of it. In graphic detail. Him being able to block out part of it for the rest of his life isn't fair to me. I want him to remember, and I want it to haunt him. He's tried his entire life to say that he's not like his family. He thinks he's not a womanizer or an abuser. He thinks because he has a respectable job that it negates anything else he does. I want Morelli to pay for what he did, but more than that I want him to get help. At first I wanted him to suffer like I have, but what does that solve? Is that really justice? An eye for an eye? Yes, I think he needs to serve time in jail, but I can't help but wonder how much of who Joe is now is a result of what he was raised in and what he experienced as a child. Lots of people have traumatic childhoods, and go on to rise above it. But not everyone is that lucky. So in addition to jail time, I'm hoping that they will require him to go through an alcohol treatment program, as well as an anger management program."

I pulled Stephanie to me and kissed her gently. "Babe, I have never met anyone like you. It's hard to believe. He brutally and violently attacked you, and here you are, wanting to reform him. I personally don't know that there's hope for him, but if this is what you want…"

"It is. I don't want him getting out of it easily, but what kind of person will he be when he's released? Even if that's 10 or 20 years from now? And what if he does it again? The next person might not be so lucky. I really feel we have to punish the crime and treat the disease. Do you think he'll ever work in law enforcement again?"

"I don't know Babe. What do you want? In an ideal situation?"

"Joe's a good cop deep down. It's what keeps him alive. He loves it. But I'm not sure what I want. I guess it's not really up to me is it?"

"The judge will probably take your thoughts into consideration when it's time for sentencing."

"Carlos, you sound like we've already won the case. You know, there's a chance that he will be found not guilty."

"Not hardly."

"Why so sure?"

"Because we were very careful when documenting your injuries, Stephanie. You were examined by a licensed medical professional within 90 minutes of the attack. The DNA that we retrieved was fresh, and was a perfect match to Morelli. I've already gotten the reports back."

"DNA? How did you match it? He didn't leave any…well, he… he wore a condom."

"Babe, Kayla swabbed the bite marks on you. That's all we needed. He can try to say they were from previous encounters with you, but the documentation of the timeline proves when he was there. He won't have an alibi. Also, you saw him. Your word proves it was him."

"Yea, but he can say I'm lying."

"But we know you aren't. And we'll prove it. We also have pictures of the handprints all over you and they match his hand size. Trust me, we've got a solid case. And Steph, I didn't tell you this before, but when Tank had him picked up, he was in a bar and still had the condom and the wrapper in his jeans pocket. The DNA of course matches his, but the blood on it, well, it's a perfect match to you."

Stephanie was quiet for a few moments. She looked as if she was somehow thinking back to the attack, and then as quickly as it came over her, she shook her head slightly and it passed. "Idiot. Who walks around with a used condom in their pocket? He was too drunk to even remember to throw it away."

"Stephanie, being drunk doesn't justify what he did."

"I know Carlos. I really do. It's just, well, I was just thinking that it must have been hard for whoever picked him up. To find that on him. Especially since I realize now how much they love me. Like I love them. The guys I mean. I realize it now after what the guys said yesterday."

I hugged Stephanie to me. "Babe, like I told you yesterday. They do love you. And it was Lester that found Morelli. And after he found that piece of evidence on him, word is that Morelli had quite a few accidents on the way back to Haywood. Since Lester is part of the core team, he knew what had happened, but he didn't know that Morelli had been so…well, so violent with you."

"I understand Carlos. I never knew he could be that violent. That…brutal." Stephanie shivered as she spoke. "I guess I'm lucky to be alive, all things considered. And when I talked to Lula, I realized that, unlike her, I can still have children one day. I mean, if I decide to. Well, if we decide. I mean….I….well…."

"Babe, it's ok. I understand what you mean. I know we haven't discussed it, but ideally, one day, I'd love to have children with you. When you're ready. And yes, I'm thankful that you will heal from this with no permanent problems. You're right, it could have been worse. But it should have never happened. If I had lost you, I don't think I could have went on. Stephanie, do you know how important you are to me? To my life? You are the reason I live each day. You make me want to be a better man. If something were to ever happen….well, I don't think I could go on."

Stephanie held tighter to me as a single tear escaped down her cheek. I kissed it away and then kissed her lips lightly. "I love you Stephanie Plum. Always and forever."

"I love you too Carlos. Forever."

\ / \ / \ / \ / \ / \ / \ /

After breakfast we dressed and I took Stephanie down to one of the interrogation cells that was currently holding Morelli. Tank and Lester accompanied us, and Bobby was already inside, cleaning Morelli up a bit. I had called him while Stephanie was in the shower, so that she wouldn't be quite as surprised by his current condition. There wasn't much time for Bobby to improve his looks, but it was better than nothing. I didn't want Stephanie to see how bad he looked, especially since I didn't think this was a good idea to begin with.

Stephanie had asked me to have Lester bring the file with her pictures from the attack in it. She held the file in her hands, and when we were almost to the holding room, she stopped and opened the file. She let her fingers trace over each of the pictures, closing her eyes after each one.

I stepped up beside her and pulled her to me. Tank and Lester had remained a few steps behind, to give her some semblance of privacy. "Babe, you don't have to do this."

"You're wrong Carlos. I do. I have to do this for me."

I nodded once and stepped away to open the door. My eyes met Brown's and the unsaid words were clear. None of us thought she should be doing this, but we were all here to support her in any way we could. I had asked Brown to uncuff Morelli earlier, and he was sitting in a corner on the floor with clean clothes on. His hair was rumpled, one eye was still slightly swollen, and there were healing cuts, bruises, and abrasions on his face. Overall, it looked like my men had followed my lead and contained his injuries to areas that were covered by his clothing. Smart men. They didn't know Stephanie would eventually want to see him when they were inflicting their pain on him, but they were smart enough to know that eventually we'd have to release him, and I'd told them as soon as I knew that Stephanie wanted to press charges. I'd be willing to bet he was pissing blood and hurting in places as big as bed sheets.

Morelli looked up as I opened the doors. He ran his fingers through his hair, and took a deep breath. "What do you want Manoso? You can't hold me here forever…let me the hell out of …" His voice broke when Stephanie stepped into the room. His eyes fell across the bruises on her face and his head hung down as he covered his face with his hands.

"Jesus, Manoso, get her outta here."

Stephanie answered. "No, Joe. Stand up and sit at the table. Now."

Morelli looked her in the eyes for a moment, as if he wasn't going to comply. Before I could urge him, he silently stood, and sat in the metal chair in the room.

"Cupcake, I…"

Stephanie interrupted again. "No Joe. You don't get to speak. Not right now. Right now you listen. You've had your turn to talk. And I've heard all I want to hear. It's my turn now. And you'll listen. It's the least you can do, after all you've done."

Stephanie pulled the pictures out of the file, took a deep breath, and arranged them across the metal table in front of Joe. Systematically she arranged them in a line, including even the most private pictures of her genital area and the trauma shown there. Stephanie had not told me the details of what happened. Nor had I pressed her for details. I knew that she was raped, both vaginally and anally, from piecing together what she had said and from the nurse and doctor. And I knew she had been beaten. I didn't press for details because I didn't know if she wanted to talk about it, but also because I didn't know if I could handle it.

The pictures were very graphic, and were enough to even make Lester, Tank, and Bobby look away. They looked at me, meeting my eyes, in silent question. I could tell they were asking if they should stay.

Stephanie still hadn't spoken. She just continued to arrange the pictures. Joe's eyes were still glued to the floor, and he had made no effort to move or speak.

Finally, when she was finished, Stephanie turned to Joe. She spoke slowly, but loud enough for us all to hear. There was no fear in her voice. Only determination.

"Look at me Joe. Look at my face."

Joe didn't move at first, and Stephanie reached out and jerked his chip up with her hand. "I said look at me. Now!"

Joe pulled his eyes up from his steadfast gaze at the floor. He searched Stephanie's eyes. For what, I'm not sure, but after realizing whatever he was looking for wasn't there, he seemed to physically droop. What was he looking for? Fear? Hurt? Anguish? Hope?

"Do you like what you see Joe? Do you like the bruises you left all over my face? They're not quite as colorful as they were, Joe, but not to worry. We have pictures for you. So you'll get the full effect." Her voice was dry and unyielding. Sarcastic even. Stephanie walked behind Morelli's chair and pointed to the pictures. "Look at the pictures, Joe. How about those? Do you like them? Does what you see portrayed in them make you feel like a real man? You've always tried to keep me away from Ranger, and when you raped me you said it was your face that I would see every time I closed my eyes. You said you were going to burn an image of you into my brain, and that I would see you in my dreams and every time I closed my eyes. Remember that Joe? Do the pictures make you feel like a winner now? Did you win the prize? Are they burning images in your mind that you've let yourself forget over the past week?"

She slowly walked back around the desk and picked up a picture of the bite marks on her breast. "How about this one Joe? Do you feel like you are a real man now that you left your teeth marks on me? Or how about these?" She picked up the pictures of her thighs and throat covered in hand prints. "Your hand prints all over me sure prove how tough you are, right? Isn't that what you wanted? To prove something to me? And to prove something to Ranger? Did you get your point across? Or maybe you think you sent your message home when you split my head open with my own cookie jar. Or maybe when you handcuffed me to my own bed and raped and beat me for hours, telling me all the while what a loser I was, and that I'd never be happy with Ranger. I think this picture of your shoe print on my side and back is an especially telling one, don't you? Turns out, you ruptured the blood vessels in my kidney. I was in surgery for hours, and the hospital for days from it. That's what you wanted, right? Forget sending cards and flowers! Nothing shows a girl some love like making her piss blood! You said I just needed to be reminded of what you and I had, and how happy we were. Was that what you thought your size 11 kicking me in the kidneys would do? Remind me and make me happy? You said Ranger would never want me again after you got finished with me. Is that why you were so brutal? So violent? Is that why it felt like you were ripping me apart from the inside out as I begged and screamed for you to stop? Oh but that's when you taped my mouth shut wasn't it? With my own packaging tape. So that I could only whimper as you raped me. Maybe you don't believe me? Maybe you need to see what you did with your dick! See this picture, Joe? Does it make you feel like my lover to know that you tore me to pieces and I had to be stitched up inside and out? "

Stephanie spat the words out with increasing furor and anger. She was trembling with rage, but I could see that she was still determined. My heart was breaking, but I dared not look away. From the corner of my eye, I could see that a few silent tears were escaping Bobby and Lester's eyes, and Tank had long ago turned around with his back to us. I stood silent, willing what little emotional strength I had left to Stephanie for the vengeance she was serving. I couldn't break down now. Not in front of Stephanie. She needed me to be strong. I tried to distance myself mentally from what she was saying, but all I could do was see snapshots in my mind of what he did to her. Bile rose in my throat as I worked furiously to push it back down. I wouldn't throw up. Not here. Not now. Later. Yes, later I would. Later I would have to.

Joe was trembling. His face white and ashen. He stared at the pictures on the table, wordlessly, as tears flowed rivers down his face. Stephanie took a deep breath and stood tall in front of him with her arms crossed over her chest.

"Joe, I want to hate you. More than anything I've ever wanted in my life, I want to hate you and not care what happens to you, and turn and walk out of this room. I want to let Ranger and my friends beat the shit out of you and kill you. They'd do it. Hell, they want to do it. Because they love me. They care about me and don't want me to hurt anymore than I've already been hurt.
I want to hurt you like you hurt me, and I want your heart to ache the way mine does."

Joe sat motionless, with tears still coming. Stephanie closed her eyes, and rubbed her arms, as if warding off a chill. After a few moments of silence, she finally spoke again.

"That's what I want to do. But I can't Joe. I can't turn my back and walk away and let the anger and hatred eat me up for the rest of my life. I won't let you win that easily. I don't know why you did what you did. But know this! You'll never hurt me again. I promise you that. If you do, I'll kill you myself! No one will stop me. Not Ranger, not Tank, not Lester, and not Bobby.
No one- do you understand me? I am going to press charges against you today for rape and assault. This is how it's going to work if you want to live and hope to get out of jail one day. You are going to quietly turn yourself in after I file charges. And you are going to plead guilty. I am willing to work with the judge and the attorneys if you do, so that you have a half a chance at a future that doesn't include a lifetime view from behind prison bars. You don't deserve a second chance. You don't deserve compassion. Because regardless of what anyone else thinks, I know that you were at one time a good person. You walk around angry with the world and when you drink, it changes you, Joe. I've tried to tell you before. I'm going to ask that you serve at least a year of jail time. I think that's very generous on my part, all things considered. Also, when you get out, you will enter and complete an alcohol treatment facility. You will also go through an anger management course. And you'll also volunteer your time at a women's shelter for domestic abuse as part of your community service when you get out for at least another year. And you'll never contact me in person again. That's the terms. Either you agree to it, or I leave you here with Ranger and the guys, and I walk out the door, and they can do whatever the hell they want to you. If you agree to the terms, I will ask that your superiors help you get established somewhere else in another police department. I'm sure you'll have to work your way back up, but if it's important to you, you'll do it. Regardless, I think you're a good cop. What's it gonna be Joe?"

I have always known that Stephanie was a strong woman. But the strength she just showed as she confronted Morelli amazed me. I was speechless. I knew right then and there that she would survive this, and that we would be okay.

Joe wiped his face and took a deep breath. "Stephanie, I'm so sorry. I know it doesn't change what I did. I didn't even remember half of what I did. But I can see from the pictures that I hurt you. You could have died, and it would have been from my hands. I love you, and I never thought I was capable of hurting you. I was drunk, and had been drinking for several days. I had tried to get you to come back to me for months, and I hit a low point. When I came by your apartment that day, and saw you moving out, I guess I just flipped out. I could never talk you into giving up your apartment for me, and you were willingly doing it for Ranger. I remember holding you and you pushing me off. And I remember …well, I remember taking you on the floor. I had blocked out the rest of it until you showed me the pictures."

Joe stopped, and closed his eyes, as if he was remembering something. "You screamed for Ranger over and over. I can hear it still, in my head. I didn't want to hear his name on your lips, so I taped your mouth shut. You begged me to stop. Oh Stephanie I am so sorry! I can't believe I did that. What have I become? What's wrong with me? How could I have hurt you so much when I love you? What kind of monster have I become?"

Morelli's sobs echoed throughout the room as he held his face in his hands. He sounded broken and desolate. But I wouldn't spare sympathy for him. He didn't deserve it. Stephanie was a far better person than I. Stephanie's terms were far more lenient than he would have gotten by going to trial. He deserved more jail time. And he would have gotten it to. But this was Stephanie's battle, and I planned on calling in any and every favor that was owed to me to make sure that Joseph Morelli's punishment went exactly as Stephanie had outlined.

Stephanie had silent tears escaping from her eyes. She made no effort to wipe them from her face. She spoke quietly, her voice almost a whisper.

"Joe, this may not be who you really are. But it's who you are when you drink. Promise me you'll get help. I want you to be happy one day. But I needed you to live with the reminder of what you did to me. Let this be the catalyst that changes you and makes you want to be a better man. Be better than this, Joe. I won't let you hurt me anymore. This was the only way for you to see what you did to me. Promise me you'll agree to what I've asked. If you are truly sorry and want to help me heal from what you've done, promise me that you'll agree to the terms I've asked of you. Do this for me Joe. Please."

Morelli nodded silently and met Stephanie's eyes with his own. "Please forgive me Stephanie. I will never hurt you again. I don't deserve your kindness nor your forgiveness. But I hope and pray that one day you will forgive me."

Stephanie didn't answer with a reply. Instead, she stared at Morelli for a few moments, and then turned to me and held out her arms to me. I went to her immediately and pulled her to me. She was still trembling. She seemed to melt into me. I held her for a few minutes, and when she pulled away from me, she asked quietly, "Ranger, can you have someone take care of giving Joe a ride to the police station? Without further incident?"

I nodded, and turned to Tank. "Tank, please give Morelli a ride to the station. Stephanie's attorney will meet you there." Tank nodded and went to open the door to the room.

I turned to Morelli. "I've taken the liberty of contacting an attorney for you. He's waiting at the station as well."

Joe nodded and stood. "Thanks. I know you didn't have to do that. But thanks." He hesitated but quietly spoke again. "Ranger, please take care of her. Do what I couldn't for her. Take care of her heart. Make her happy."

"Her happiness is no concern of yours, Morelli. But rest assured that I plan on making sure that she lives the remainder of her life being as happy as I possibly can make her. She'll never be hurt again."

Joe nodded once, and walked out to follow Tank to the waiting SUV. Brown and Lester followed out, leaving us standing in the room. I held Stephanie to me and ran my fingers over her curls. Her tears had quieted down, and she held on to me as if I were a lifeline.

"Babe, you never fail to impress me with your strength and courage. But also with your compassion. I love you. And I wish I were more like you."

"Ranger, don't be silly. But thank you. For being here for me."

"Babe, I'm serious. I know you don't see it. But the rest of us do. I hope that one day you realize how strong and courageous you are. Are you tired? How about lunch and a nap?"

Stephanie nodded. "I'm not really hungry. But I am exhausted. Can we go upstairs. I'd like to lie down for a while and rest. I guess that took more out of me than I realized. "

"Sure thing Babe. Come on. Let's get out of here."

"When do I have to meet with the attorney?"

"I've already spoken with him, and provided him with copies of everything that he will need. He doesn't have copies of the pictures, and those will only be shown if necessary, and will never be property of the court records. If they have to be shown, I myself will personally deliver them to the judge and attorneys, and then return them here to you. You have my word."

Stephanie took a deep breath and breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you. I was worried about that."

"I've got it Babe. I promise you. You are important to me and you have my word that I will live the rest of my life being deserving of you."

I pulled her to me and kissed her gently. We finally made our way upstairs, and I tucked her into bed. "Do you think you can fall asleep without me? Or would you like me to lay down with you?"

"I know you have a company to run, Carlos. I'll be fine. I have my phone if I need you, and I'm just going to nap for a while."

"Ok Babe. I'm going to work in the office here in the apartment, but I'll just be right outside the door if you need anything. I love you."

"I love you too Batman. And thanks, again. I couldn't have confronted Joe without you there with me. I felt your love and your strength.

I kissed her temple again and left the bedroom, leaving the door slightly ajar so that I could hear her if she had another bad dream. I went into the office and turned the computer on, and tried to will myself to work. I couldn't get Stephanie and Morelli's words out of my mind. I now knew in vivid detail what had happened to Stephanie at the mercy of Morelli's hands. And Joe admitted that she had screamed for me. And I wasn't there. I swore to myself that I wasn't going to let her down ever again and that would be the last time I failed her. I'd be there for her from now on, no matter what. I have wasted enough time. Forever was going to start right now.