"And I just wanted to thank you again, Ryland, for all your help with the children's charity. Your hard work and great ideas have been a true blessing. I can't tell you how much I appreciate everything you've done," Melanie DiBiase gushed.

Ryland smiled as she took one more sip of hot tea from her mug.

"It was my pleasure. I was just happy to help."

The older woman had invited her younger friend over to finalize plans for an upcoming benefit. For almost two weeks they had worked closely together in an effort to raise money for sick, hospitalized children. Chairing such events was Ryland's specialty. She had been involved in such organizations all her adult life. As the wife of prominent up and coming young doctor, it was what she was expected to do. Though the reward of genuinely helping people and affecting their lives was great, Ryland yearned for more. She had grown bored and tired with that existence. But the unexpected changes and drama Florida had brought to her life, confused and unhappy as ever, Ryland had gladly thrown all her efforts and hard work into making Melanie's event a success.

"I am so happy you decided to stay here in Tampa with us instead of going back to Ohio. I really would have missed you."

Ryland tensed visibly. Just rehashing the sore subject of her angry husband trying to force her to leave the state in an attempt to keep her away from her friends was enough to make Ryland's blood boil.

"So," Ryland changed the subject. "How are Brett and Leah? I haven't seen them in a while."

"They're wonderful, thank you for asking. So is Mike. And now that Kristen is back in town, dare I say that even Ted Jr. seems to be getting his head turned around."

Ryland nearly dropped the cup she was holding.

"Kristen is back in town?" she tried to ask casually, hoping Melanie didn't notice the worried and slightly disappointed tone in her voice.

"Yes. She arrived a few days ago, surprised us all. I am absolutely thrilled that she is here. Between you and me, I was starting to get worried. It's no secret that she and Ted have been having…problems, shall we say. I was worried it was heading for a separation. She hadn't visited here in forever. But apparently they have decided to work things out and I believe that is for the best."

"Oh?"

"She's a lovely girl but I don't have to tell you that. She has always been good for him. They are a good match, Ted just sort of lost his way this last year and a half," his mother sadly shook her head. "But I saw them yesterday and he looked happy. They both did. Marriage takes work, you know that. Sometimes it isn't easy. You want so much for your children to have it easy, to not have to suffer but the reality is, those tough times are a part of life and it is what prepares them to keep moving. I tried so hard to protect my sons but you can't shield them from everything, I suppose. In the end, it was the hard times that tested them that probably ended up saving their relationship. Whatever it is, I am grateful."

"That…that's good. I'm happy for them. Ted deserves for good things to happen to him," Ryland placed her teacup back onto its saucer with shaking hands.

Melanie continued their conversation but Ryland's attention was elsewhere. Just the fact that Ted's wife was back in town was enough to unnerve her and strangely enough, she couldn't pinpoint exactly why. Maybe it was because in the last month, she had grown closer to Ted than anyone. Maybe because in his arms, though both knew it was wrong, though both knew it couldn't last, it felt right. When Josh and Kris were being cold and distant, it almost gave Ted and Ryland an excuse to come together. But Ted was a married man and his marriage deserved a chance. If he and Kris could work it out and turn things around, she only wished the best for them both, even though it produced a dull ache deep within her heart.

"Well, well," a loud, cheerful voice boomed as it entered the living room, interrupting the ladies. "Josh, dare I say we are very lucky men. The two most beautiful women in all of Florida are right here in my living room and we happen to be married to them."

Ted Sr. gave Ryland a kiss on the forehead and his wife one on the lips.

"It's great to see you, Ted," Ryland nodded politely.

"And you as well, Mary Ryland. I do hope you are enjoying this splendid rain free Tampa weather we're having."

"It must be a record," Melanie winked, squeezing her husband's hand. "And how are you today, Josh? Did you enjoy golfing this morning?"

Josh took a seat next to his wife.

"We had a great time, Melanie. Your husband certainly gave me a run for my money."

"Nonsense," Ted Sr. laughed. "It was a tough course."

"How was your day?" Josh turned to his wife.

She forced a smile.

"Good."

Ever since that night of the confrontation at Ted Jr.'s apartment, things had changed for Ryland in more ways than one. If it had brought her and Ted closer together, it had only torn her farther apart from her husband. She had seen another side of him. His anger had been horrifying but it had also made her realize just how aloof he had been. It made her question their happiness altogether. And from there it had only gone downhill. He had perfected the art of giving her the silent treatment. Then his insistence of who she could and could not associate with along with his strong suggestion that she go back to Ohio had only made the situation more tense. Her feelings for him had changed and there was no turning back. She felt…different. They barely talked, they barely made love anymore. He was more invested in his career. Had they ever loved each other at all? Did they even know each other? Or had it just been a marriage of convenience, a social arrangement?

"Ryland, Josh, won't you two stay on for lunch?" Melanie asked.

"Sure," Ryland answered for the both of them. "That would be great."

A pleased Melanie went off into the kitchen to prepare a light meal and her husband followed to help, leaving the other married couple alone.

"Can you at least pretend to be happy to see me?" Josh asked with a terse whisper after a few seconds.

"I think that goes both ways, dear. Or perhaps you are just a better actor than I am."

"For God's sake, how much longer are we going to do this, Ryland?"

"You tell me," she stared him down.

"It bewilders me how you are so angry, how this whole debacle you helped create managed to get turned around on me. I have done what you wanted. I helped saved that girl's life. I protected your little friend, Teddy's secret. I allowed you to stay here…"

"You allowed me?"

Josh bit his lip and closed his eyes.

"That's not what I meant. Listen, Ryland, I don't want to live like this anyway anymore. I want to put everything that happened behind us."

"Is that you really want?"

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"It's a simple question, Josh. What do you want?"

"I want my wife back. I want our home."

"A wife? A home? Or just someone who cooks the meals in a house you waltz in and out of every time you feel like it."

"This is ridiculous. And it's a conversation best delayed until later when we can talk more freely."

"Fine."

Josh was still annoyed.

"What do I want?" he muttered under his breath to himself. "The question is, what do you want?"

It was more rhetorical than anything but the irony of the moment was when Ted DiBiase Jr. walked in as Josh posed the question. Ryland felt her breath catch in her throat as their eyes met for the first time. She nervously chewed at her lip, neither looking away as Kristen followed behind him.

"Ryland, Josh," she smiled. "It's so good to see you both."

"Likewise," Josh mumbled.

"Hello, Kristen," Ryland awkwardly received her hug and two cheeked kiss.

"Hey Ry," Ted wiped his sweaty palms against his jeans. "Dr. Crafton."

"Hello Ted," Ryland nodded.

"Ted," Josh said solemnly, looking him in the eye.

"Well I'm glad everyone can make it," Melanie and Ted Sr. returned to the living room where their guests had been joined by their son and daughter in law. "Lunch will be ready in a minute."

Ryland ran her fingers through her hair. The newest additions to the dining table had somehow managed to make the meal even more uncomfortable than it already was. She sat back quietly, listening to the conversation that Melanie mostly dominated. She seemed thrilled for there to be accord amongst her friends and family. Ted Sr. leaned back on the arm of her chair proudly looking on. Josh tried to act as normal as possible. Ted Jr. was quiet and almost sullen as a beautiful and animated Kristen smiled and happily chatted with her mother in law.

"…Isn't that right, honey?" Kristen rubbed her husband's arm.

"Huh? Oh. Yeah. Right," Ted agreed, clearly not paying any attention to what was going on around him.

He was doing his best to keep it together and not stare at Ryland. His wife had been back in town for a week and for all intent and purpose, things had been going well. They had been getting along and had talked about a lot of the issues that had caused problems before. It was like being with a new version of Kristen. She was upbeat and calm, more understanding and way less critical. She had a renewed interest in her husband's career and the daily goings on at FCW. She hadn't missed a live show yet. She was doing everything right. But why didn't it matter? The conversation mulled on as Ryland silently wished she were anywhere but there. Somehow Ted Sr. had managed to pull Josh away and Kristen had ended up helping Melanie in the kitchen. That left Ryland and Ted Jr. alone for the first time in weeks. Though many thoughts raced through their minds, neither spoke at first. With hearts pounding and tensions rising, Ryland made the first move.

"How are you?" she asked quietly.

"Good," he shrugged. "You?"

"Good. Um, I can't complain. And Maryse…"

"Good. She came back to work yesterday."

"Oh Ted, that's wonderful. I'm glad."

"Me too."

Awkward silence.

"So, um, it must be nice to have Kris back," Ryland cleared her throat.

"About that…"

"I think it's good for you," she cut him off. "I want you to be happy, Ted."

"What about you?" he asked.

"This isn't about me. Kris…she's your wife. You belong with her."

Ted nodded and looked away. Ryland had spoken and Ted had heard her loud and clear. Seconds later, his wife and mother returned.

"Are you ready to eat, sweetie? Your mom made tuna melts."

Ted Jr. smiled.

"Sounds great. I'm starving."

"What's new?" Kristen teased. "I'll make you a glass of lemonade. Maybe we can eat outside."

"Okay. Thanks."

She looked in his eyes.

"I love you."

Ted stared down at her, at the girl he had once loved with all his heart. He had loved her from the beginning. He had promised eternity and he knew that's what he had to give her. She was still the same person. Despite the tension, the mistakes, the drama, the heated arguments, the lack of understanding, somewhere underneath all that was the girl who had stolen his heart that first time he saw her sharpening her pencil in English class. He could make this work, he had to. If she could make an effort, why couldn't he?

"I love you, too," he said softly, with real meaning.

Ryland wrapped her arms around herself. She pretended hearing him say that to his wife, seeing the way he looked at her in that moment, didn't stab her in the heart like a sharp knife. Pulling away was the right thing to do, it was the only thing to do. It was becoming painfully clear that her own marriage couldn't be saved but if Ted's could, she would do everything she could to help facilitate that. It was the ultimate sacrifice but that's what you did when you truly loved someone.