Several hours past, the sun had set on an emotional day and darkness blanketed the room. Anna had spent the time contemplating all that had happened, waiting anxiously for John to return. She decided to follow after him, hoping to discover him sitting outside in the hotel garden. When she reached the entry, she found him sitting alone near a slow bubbling fountain.

"I hoped I'd find you here." Anna stood near him but still several feet of space separated them. She appeared small, with her hands folded gracefully in front of her. John thought she never looked more beautiful.

"Its very peaceful here." John was sitting on a bench, his arms folded in front of him. His eyes were glossy and red.

Anna hesitated, "do you mind if I join you?"

John tilted his head to look at her and shook it slightly, "No…I don't mind."

"What is it about the night air that you love so much John?"

"I think it's the freedom it provides, the coolness, the fresh perspective on things. You like it too don't you?"

"I've always liked the privacy it affords us." She was still standing.

"Do you? Even now when we have our own room to go to or our cottage back home?"

"Yes, but it reminds me of when we didn't have those things and we had to steal a moment here or there in the cover of night. It makes me melancholy I suppose."

"I thought a lot about those moments while we were apart. I so longed for them."

"We will have many more moments like that now John."

"Will we? I'm not so sure."

"Please don't say that." Anna walked closer toward John.

He paused, staring at her, then stood up to talk with her. "Anna, I've lived long enough to understand, these things happen. Not because we want them to or because we're looking for them. Sometimes the right circumstance allows for...feelings to develop in the midst of intense moments. I'm not saying any of this is your fault. But I am grappling with the fact that another man told my wife that he' s in love with her...and that you shared an intimate kiss with him.

Anna looked away as the despair in John's face overwhelmed her.

"I only have one more thing to ask you..."

Anna cautiously met his eyes again with her own.

"Tell me. Have I lost you?"

Anna's lip trembled and her brow furrowed, tears rolled freely as she shook her head. "Oh John, is that what you think?"

"Have I?"

"No. Never."

John swallowed hard, still searching her eyes. Anna reached for John's hand. He gave it to her. Together they stood alone in the garden.

Taking a deep breath John spoke. "We've been through so much Anna. But if I ever lost you, I don't think I would survive it."

"I know, because I feel the exact same way John...and I need...to ask your forgiveness."

John paused for a moment, concentrating on Anna's eyes, considering all she meant to him. "There is nothing to forgive you for. I believe all that you've said to me, that you didn't want this. I suppose I should be thankful that he tried to find us...but I'm not. I'm angry that he involved himself so intimately with you."

Anna just stared at John, not knowing what else she could do; she finally asked what had been worrying her most, "do you feel differently about me now?"

John shook his head, his eyes grew emotional, "every second of every day, I thought only of you. I thought only about having you back in my arms. Even after I saw you with him, I only wanted to run to you and steal that moment back. I'm furious that we lost time again. Those should have been our moments together."

"I can't even imagine what you've been through. I haven't even asked if you were physically hurt. Were you?" She tugged at his jacket. He continued to look in her eyes.

"Nothing hurt more, than being without you." Tears flowed freely down his cheeks now.

"John...please, come back with me to our room." Anna pleaded, pulling at his jacket again.

"Are you sure that's what you really want?"

Anna spoke to him with concentrated assurance, "How do I convince you...you are my only love, my only desire? I need you...John, if I had wanted him, I would not be here. You know me. I am strong-willed. When I want something, I make it happen don't I? You are all I want. I promise."

John thought back to one of his dreams while in captivity and asked her. "Will you make me another promise Anna?"

"Anything." She rested her hands on his chest, looking deeply into his eyes. He reached for her elbows and held her there.

"Promise me you'll never see him again. Not ever."

She hesitated for a moment accepting the fear she saw behind John's gaze and answered, "Of course I promise." I never WANT to see him again. Not ever. How dare he cause you this much pain my love!

"Anna, I made you a promise in a reoccurring dream I had while we were apart."

"And what did you promise me John?"

"That I would make love to you everyday for the rest of our lives."

She looked at him with desperation, "then please, start living up to that promise this very night."

John raised his hand to gently lift Anna's chin toward him, and leaning down, they finally kissed. A kiss that broke through shame and suffering, a kiss that forgave and reunited, that awakened lost hopes and dreams. A kiss that left them both breathless for a moment, and shedding tears when they reopened their eyes.

They returned to their room, John not wanting to release Anna's hand from his own. As soon as the door was closed and locked, John's look intensified.

"Come here." John gathered Anna up in a strong embrace. They captured their lips together again. He could hardly believe the boldness in Anna's kiss as her tongue pierced between his lips first, searching out his tongue then sucking softly at his lower lip. She left him wanting more. He pulled back to catch his breath. Pressing his head against Anna's, they held one another in a strong embrace as John spoke barely above a whisper, "my god, all we have been through this year Anna, I've never needed your love more than I do at this moment." John seemed melancholy.

"I will give you everything you need, and anything you ask for." Anna reached into his jacket grabbing hold of his tie she pulled him along with her toward the bed. "Sit down Mr. Bates," she ordered, and started removing his waistcoat. Their mood was serious and he submitted. Watching her every move, he turned and sat on the edge of the bed facing her. This was real. He had to believe it - this was better than any dream he could imagine. The way her hair flowed along her face, the way her delicate hands moved around him, he watched as she laid his coat across the arm of a nearby chair. He breathed in slow and deeply her scent, the smell of her bath oil, her hand cream. Together they engulfed his mind and while he continued to watch her, he unbuttoned his sleeves and memorized the outline of her body. She turned around and removed his tie while he unbuttoned his shirt and absorbed every soft detail of her gentle face. She seemed older now and her eyes tired, he knew he was to blame. He hated what his time away did to her. She deserved joy and a peaceful life filled with love. He was determined now more than ever to give her all the love he could give her. As Anna continued to undress John, he grabbed hold of her, pulling her body into him. Hiding his face from her, he burrowed into her dress and gave way to the months and this horrible day of emotion.

For the next several moments, John wept. Anna held him firmly against her, without a spoken word. She comforted her husband, quietly allowing the fear and longing he never allowed himself to release. Anna was grateful he trusted her enough to let his guard down again. She had feared the past year of challenges would make him hard and indifferent. Anna was relieved that John could cry.

He calmed himself, and held his wife carefully in his arms, "I'm sorry."

"No, there is no need for sorry. I love you... that's all there is to say about it." Anna had tears streaming her face now. She kissed John as he held her tightly. They both felt calmer, more secure. She resumed undressing him then turned around asking him to help remove her dress. Slowly, he slid the dress off her shoulders and pulled her down to kiss the top of her bare arms. She shuddered slightly. Stepping out of her dress, she turned around and met his eyes. There was just enough soft glimmering moonlight in the room to see the desire in his face.

Soon he began to massage Anna's body. First her arms, then her shoulders and as she leaned forward on the bed, he slowly massaged her upper back and neck with his strong but loving hands. The moment was euphoric for them both. Anna could hardly contain herself as she gave in to the overwhelming indulgence of her husband's hands rubbing months of tension from her body. John, still in awe of the fact he was free to be loving and intimate with his wife, wanted nothing more than to indulge her. Appreciative of the sensuality the moment allowed, he relished every touch of her skin.

They escaped their horrible past once again. Now finding each other in their newfound rhythm. And as their lovemaking met its end, it was Anna's turn to weep, and John held her most tightly against him. Then lifting her face toward his, he lingered on her cheeks with soft tiny kisses until she stopped crying.

"I love you, so very much John," she whispered while looking into his dark loving eyes. He kissed her wanting lips while softly whispering back to her, "as I love you."