After an evening of passionate lovemaking, we fall into bed together, exhausted. "I love you, Livvy," whispers Alex, laying her head on my shoulder and smiling contentedly.

Her words make my heart soar. With this evening's bliss, the pure love that we've shared, I feel like this is just an amazing, beautiful dream. But if it is, I hope I never wake up.

Running my hands through her soft blonde hair, I murmur, "I love you, too, Alex. So much."

She shifts to get more comfortable. Then out of nowhere, she says, "Olivia? What do you think happens after you die?"

I groan, massaging my temples. "Please don't ask me philosophical questions after midnight."

She rolls over to face me, smiling sweetly. "Okay."

Which of course makes me think about her question, and I figure that's what she wants. I don't want to say, "Nothing," so I just don't answer. I've seen so much death in my life that I truly want to believe in heaven, but I just don't. It's not something I can control.

A glance at Alex reveals that she's fast asleep. She looks so peaceful in slumber, so beautiful. How can I not believe in angels when there's one sleeping right next to me?

I wrap my arms around my angel, pulling her close and kissing the crown of her head. She smiles in her sleep, and I don't know if it's because she can feel my kisses or because she's having pleasant dreams, but it doesn't matter. And for the first time in twenty years, I pray. I pray that my angel will still be here when I wake.

I wake up in the middle of the night. With my eyes still closed, I reach out to stroke Alex's hair, but my hands end up resting on the pillow. Panicking, I open my eyes and realize that she's not beside me anymore. Oh, my God . . . I flip on the lamp and scan the room, my alarm increasing exponentially.

But then I see her and that turns my world back to perfect. That is, until I realize what she's doing.

She's curled up in the corner of the bedroom, clutching her knees to her chest, burying her face in them. Her shoulders are shaking and then I realize that she's crying, but silently. It's tearing my heart out and I go to her, kneeling down and gently massaging her back, trying to lull her tense muscles into a more relaxed state.

She cringes at the touch, then looks up at me, her eyes wide with fear, her face stained with tears. It takes her a moment, but then she realizes it's just me, and I see the relief in her clear blue eyes. And then the shame. "I'm sorry," she murmurs, brushing a hand across her face in a futile effort to remove the evidence of her tears.

Rubbing gentle circles into her back, I ask quietly, "Bad dream?"

She nods mutely.

I don't have the words to comfort her, so I don't even try. Instead, I lean forward to capture her lips in mine. I know the kiss is unexpected, but it's a welcome distraction for both of us, and she leans into it.

This is what we do. We comfort each other physically when all else fails.

Finally we break apart, staring into each other's eyes. I don't say anything. I'm waiting for Alex to make the first move. I'm waiting for her to show me what I can do for her, anything to assure her that she's safe.

But she doesn't say anything. She pushes herself up onto shaky legs, clearly wanting to return to bed, but then her knees give way and she sinks back to the ground.

"Do you need some help?" I say quietly. She doesn't say anything so I ask with a mischievous smile, "Can I carry you?"

She inclines her head slightly, so I wrap my arms around her and lift her into my arms, carrying her as if she's no more than a baby, and lay her gently on the bed.

"Better?" I ask, lying down beside her.

She rests her head on a pillow and sighs deeply.

I press a kiss to her temple and take her hands in mine. They're icy cold and I bring them to my lips, covering her hands with kisses, just as much for comfort as for heat. "I love you, baby," I murmur, because that's what she needs to hear right now. Because the words are true.

Her hands immediately go to her shirt and she starts to remove it. Readying herself for more sex?

But now isn't the time and I take her hands again. "We don't need to, Alex. It's okay."

"I want to," she whispers.

"Alex . . ." That's when I realize how crossed her signals are. How can I explain it to her now, how sex doesn't always equal love and love doesn't need to be demonstrated through sex? How I would love her even if she gave absolutely nothing to me physically?

Then the expression in her eyes turns to fear. "You don't want to?"

"No, that's not it, Alex. It's just –"

"I'm sorry," she says quickly. "I'm sorry. I'm just feeling a little bit . . . vulnerable . . . tonight."

"I know," I assure her. "It's okay. I love you, Alex. Always. You don't need to prove anything to me. You don't ever need to do anything you're uncomfortable with. I love you no matter what you can or can't do."

Her hands fall limply to her sides. "I don't want to," she admits in a voice so soft that it's barely audible. "But tonight . . . tonight was amazing, Olivia. I did want that."

Smiling gently, I plant a soft kiss on her forehead. "Are you feeling any better?"

She sighs, snuggling closer to me. Burying her face in my neck, she nods.

I wrap my arms around her, stroking silky blonde tresses. "Me, too," I murmur, so softly that I doubt she hears me. "Me, too."

Review for the final chapter!