I know this is a very short ending to a very long wait, but it felt like the end. It just felt right. So I hope you enjoy and have enjoyed the story. Thank you all very much to those who followed it.

Chapter 10

Gio rushed through the Emergency Room entrance and to the nurse's station. Betty hurried to keep up with him as he asked the nurse where Annie was. She led him to a small room in the ER. He took one look at his daughter's puffy, red eyes from previous tears and he grabbed her, gently hugging her to avoid her arm. "Annie, what happened?"

The girl sniffled, saying, "I tripped over a pillow and fall off the bed."

He tapped her on the head and laughed, relieved to see that she was okay. "If you'd stop jumping on the bed, this wouldn't have happened."

His mother tapped him on the head as well, saying, "If I recall, son, you have a scar on your elbow from breaking your arm on the bed as a child."

Annie sat up straight. "Really, Dad? Can I see it?"

Sighing, he rolled up his shirt. "I guess we'll match now, midget."

"Like you're tall," his daughter scoffed. They all laughed. Annie's eyes drifted past her father towards the short woman near the door. "I know you."

Betty flinched. Shaking her head, she said, "I'm sorry. I don't think you do."

Her brow furrowed. "Yes, I do. Dad, she's the girl in the picture in the drawer by your bed."

All of the women looked at Gio who coughed uncomfortably. He looked straight at Betty and said in a deep, raspy voice, "Yeah, she's the girl."

Betty could feel heat rising from the small of her back to the base of her neck. He knew what he was saying to Annie but he also knew what he meant. Her memories all rushed back like a flood to that night in front of her house five years ago when he had told her he wanted to be the guy. Seeing how much of a man he was, how much he loved his daughter, she wanted nothing more than to take back those five years, take back what she had told him. She wished that she had been a part of his live and that he had been in hers.

But deep down she knew it was better this way. Now they would both know that they had chosen each other. They had grown a lot in five years and they both knew exactly what they wanted from life. And now they could have it with each other. Overwhelmed, she excused herself and went out into the hall for some air.

Ten minutes later, Gio came out alone and stood close to her, asking, "Are you all right?"

"Of course I am," she said, laughing softly. "I'm not the one with a broken arm. How's Annie really doing?"

He smiled, grateful for her concern. "It was a clean break. She's in good spirits as you've seen and she should be okay. My mom and I are going to take her home. I'm sorry to leave you like this."

She shook her head. "Don't be silly. I completely understand."

He took her hand gently but firmly into his. "I had a great night."

"So did I." Her smile was warm and shown hints of their activities from hours past.

He leaned in and kissed her tenderly on the lips, slightly licking her tips so that only she knew what he was doing. "I'll give you a call tomorrow."

She nodded, then stopped him from moving by putting her hands on his hips. "Did you really keep a picture of me all this time?"

He looked down at the floor before he looked back up at her. "You're a hard woman to get over, Suarez."

She could feel the heat come back and tears stung at her eyes. "You're not that easy yourself."

He stared at their clasped hands. "I promise that I'll never let you go again."

Kissing his cheek, a tear slid from her eyes and fell onto his skin. "I promise too."

He hugged her tight, then said, "I have to go now. Thank you for coming with me."

"Of course."

"How 'bout you let Annie and I take you out for a picnic next weekend? I think it's time you two properly meet."

She squeezed his hand before she let it go. "That sounds great."

He kissed her again and said, "I will call you." He then went back into the hospital room.

She watched him emerge with his mother and daughter. She told them goodbye and watched them leave, their arms wrapped around each other. They were a family and she could be a part of it.

Feeling love swell in her heart, she knew she already was.

the end