In front of her building, he hesitates for a few moments, but he knows they need to talk, and he needs to get this out of his head, even if it is rushing and totally inappropriate.

To his surprise, Molly sounds happy when her voice greets him through the intercom. "Come on in, I ordered too much food anyway."

His stomach drops, but he tries to cover his disappointment. "I am only welcome because I can help waste food. Good to know."

"Don't be a baby and get in." she pulls his hand and Jim all but stumbles through the door.

Her smile and laughter always make him feel better and his nerves subside a little. They keep their conversation light, but there still is something he needs to get out. His hand ever so often lays on his pocket.

While Molly cleans the table, Jim relocates to the sofa and waits. His nerves start coming back while he observes her moving around the kitchen.

When Molly is back with two cups of tea, he finally dares to pull the small box out of his pocket and places it on the table.

He can hear her breath stop. "Molly, let me just get this out: I know it is way too soon to be talking about this again. But it is simple to me. I know I want you to be my family. My future. And I'll leave this here. It is yours, whenever you decide to wear it."

A few days later Molly lets her fingers wander over the top of the velvet box on her coffee table for the hundredth time. She hadn't dared to look inside yet, but in her head, she knew what was inside.

Her ring. The one she had given back years ago.

It felt oddly exhilarating to imagine that being true. On impulse, she snaps the box open, and her breath stops. It really is there.

He held onto it for all these years.

Her stomach is fluttering, and her hands are shaking but she manages to slide the small band on her finger. She doesn't even hear the front door opening, while she tries to figure out what her next step is going to be. She just knows it feels right wearing the band.

A soft knock on the doorframe pulls her out of her head. "How long has that been sitting on that table?" Chris asks with a slight tease in her voice.

Molly hangs her head. "Two days. And I think I need to ..." she stands up grabbing her purse when Josie starts crying.

"Go, I'll be here. Go and finally make this right." Chris all but shoves her out the door.

Molly fights the urge to call Jim. She really wants to see his face and apologize for her shell-shocked silent film reaction. She had let him leave and she can only imagine what he must feel like right now.

She knocks on his front door and her nerves are making her stomach grumble. What if he had decided she wasn't worth it? Just before she can turn and walk away, she hears the door opening.

Molly smiles at a shocked Jim Street and holds up her hand. Within a blink of an eye, she finds herself being pulled into his arms and gets lost in his kiss.

"Are you sure?"

Hearing the question all Molly could do was smile and nod. "No more running. no more hiding!" She adds and leans up to seal that promise with a kiss.

She gets rewarded with a mischievous grin, one of those she has missed terribly the last couple of years.

She giggles when he spins her out and back in his arms. "I could do with a little more hiding. Just have you all to myself and enjoy us."

Molly can understand the feeling but still can't resist. "I don't think your daughter would appreciate the fact we both disappear right now..."

Molly sees the exact moment Jim has registered the full sentence. He stares at her confused. "Where is Josie right now? You didn't bring her?"

She softly laughs. "She is at home, with her favorite aunt. But we could go and spend the day at the park. As a family." Molly looks up to him. Jim nods and grabs his keys.

They drive to Molly's apartment and can barely keep from holding onto the other. Chris greets them with a huge smile and an exasperated "Finally!" before pulling Molly into a hug. "I am happy for you. Now don't screw it up!" The last is said with a grin and laugh at Molly's incredulous expression. Molly feels herself being pulled around the corner "I asked you how long that ring was with you but I sort of knew because he has been a nervous wreck the last couple of days. I don't ever want to see him that way again."

"I never planned to hurt him. I just..."

"Stop it. You don't have to explain yourself to me. Just be happy now." With a wave, Chris walks out the door.

Molly turns back to her living room and her heart almost melts. Seeing Jim picking up their daughter and the smile on both their faces is making her ridiculously happy. She walks over to them and puts her arm around his torso.

"I never thought this moment would come but this is almost as I dreamed it would be."

"Almost?" she can hear the slight insecurity in his voice. "Don't worry. You are perfect. And you were so patient with me."

He really was. Molly knows she made this harder on both of them but now she can look into the future with hope.

Their afternoon at the park is quiet and cozy and actually spent without too much talking. Molly just enjoys the company and the feeling of not being afraid anymore. When it is time for Josie to go to bed, they both take part in that ritual and it feels normal, even it is only the first time they did that together. The little girl goes down without any fuzz.

After watching Josie slumber for a little while Jim pulls Molly to the living room by her hand and leads her to the sofa.

"Thank you," he says and softly kisses her.

"For what?"

"For letting me in. For giving me a chance to fix us."

"I should've never left you or let you leave. I am sorry and I think we don't need much fixing. I just need to remember this is the best thing that ever happened to me."

Thank you for taking this little adventure with me. Until next time.