She was holding his hand tightly in hers like there were no tomorrow for neither of them. Looking at him was the best part of her life, getting to observe every line of his whole body, his skin smelling like home to her. They were walking in the wind aimlessly, the kids ahead of them, riding their bikes, laughing and shouting with happiness. She could feel the wind in her hair that he stubbornly tried to lock behind her ear and still no success. It always made her smile from the bottom of her heart. He always had the most wonderful and considerate gestures, constantly willing to take care of his family. Suddenly she looked at their joined hands, their golden rings shining, catching her attention. He was hers and she was his – she wanted that split second of happiness to last forever.

She turned her head around to check the horizon, that's when she saw the little girl. She was playing by the sea and Sharon realized she had sand under her bare feet. What a pleasant and freeing sensation to feel the heat of the ground on her skin. The girl kept smiling to them while messing with the dying waves. It surprised her how peaceful she looked while she didn't see any adult around her – was she on her own? She stopped for a few seconds, not understanding why the little girl was now waving to them. Did they know her? She then heard Andy shouting to her. Had he just called themselves her parents? It struck her like a bomb – their daughter. The sun was shining through her beautiful golden auburn hair, shining so hard it actually became difficult for Sharon to decipher her face until she could only see her shape from afar and her hair dancing in the wind. She blinked several times to the light that was now blinding her, only to wake up to her silent bedroom.

She had always liked it because of its peaceful atmosphere. The mornings were so quiet there. It wouldn't last long, she knew. The kids would soon ramble into the kitchen, starving to death, like any kid of their age at literally any hour of the day. These days she felt like her life was about feeding them and hearing them complain. To be fair, they were pretty nice and polite teens but sometimes she just missed having another adult around. Though her patience was often put to the test, she had to admit they had adjusted to their new life quite fast. Their new place and new identity was now part of them too. After all, they were so little when it happened. To her, however, it seemed like yesterday. She missed the life that was once hers, her place, her friends, her job… and him.

Now that her babies were grown, she had finally some more time to get ready in the mornings. It was important to her to take the time she needed to take care of herself, that's probably the biggest lesson she had learnt over the years.

- Mum? You up yet? she heard from afar.

- Yes honey! In the bathroom! she shouted, knowing her me time was now over.

- Hey mum, did you see my jeans?

- Shouldn't you be ready already? The bus should be there in a minute… she said checking her watch.

- Yeah! That's why I'm asking…

- It's probably on the couch where you left it yesterday night… by the way I asked you way too many times to put it in your room, that shouldn't be on the couch Ricky!

- I know, mum… would you stop repeating the same thing over and over again!

- Yes I will! The day you actually do what I ask you to. And don't talk to your mother like that! she shouted while Ricky was already in the living room, putting on his jeans to leave right on time for the bus.

- Bye! he answered, pretending not to hear her anymore.

Finally ready to begin the day, her hair et makeup done, she picked a nice outfit. She had always loved dressing up nicely and she felt like it always made her feel good in her shoes especially on the tough days, and today was just one of those. She felt very nostalgic today, which, after 12 years since their fresh start, was quite surprising.

- Emily, honey, are you ready? Breakfast's on the table!

- Just a minute…

Emily was her easy kid. She was so responsible and mature. As always, she was very proud of her ambition.

- G'morning mum! You know… I'm just not really hungry this morning…

- Come on honey! You have to eat! How's my ballerina? Ready for your audition?

- I'm a wreck today… Haven't slept all night…

- I'm sure you're gonna be great baby! Trust yourself, you know you have what it takes to get that role! I trust you 100%! she said cheerfully to motivate her poor daughter, full of stress.

While Emily had gone downstairs, already waiting for her in the car, she was taking her bag, her keys and putting on her shoes when she saw it out of the corner of her eye. The umbrella.

- Hey Sharon! I'm sorry to bother you… I told Andrea I needed to talk to you…

- Hey… I know, she told me…

- Oh… hum… Then I suppose you didn't feel like talking… I'm sorry for insisting and for being here anyways but even if you don't wanna talk to me, at least can you hear me? Please?

- Andy… this is so complicated… do you really think there's anything left to say here?

- Sharon, please, I need to talk to you and after that… if you don't wanna talk to me ever again, I'll accept that.

- Fine.

- Can we go for a walk maybe?

- Right, I'll just get my coat.

She remembered the leaves falling on that autumnal afternoon. There was a cold wind making it a particularly chilly day. The sky was grey, which reflected the infinite sadness she felt deep inside, knowing she wouldn't be there anymore the next day. Andy walked beside her, he was tense and was probably figuring out where to start. She couldn't help but to stay a little distant, not willing to be in any more trouble than she already was. Charlotte's words were still resonating in her head. It was confusing how she went from dreamy moments to sudden fear and distance. She was having a major struggle with stabilizing her emotions when it came to the man her heart claimed as hers, although he was anything but that. She had no right to want him the way she did.

- So… why are we here, Andy? she needed to get it over with, feeling suddenly very impatient.

- I needed to talk to you because, well, we never had the chance to talk about what happened between us the night of the fire…

He was looking anywhere but her way, his hands deeply stuffed in his coat's pockets.

- Hum… I know the situation is complicated… he continued. It's unfair for Charlotte and I do know it.

- What are you trying to say? You regret our kiss? she felt hurt, he could hear it in her voice.

- No, that's not what I meant, Sharon, please let me finish… he paused, looking for the right words. That night, I meant every word I told you. It took me 10 damn years to admit it but I never stopped loving you, I fell in love with you the minute we met and will probably love you for the rest of my life. Please, never doubt my feelings… I'm a complete idiot for sure but not a liar.

Her cheeks were blushing and her eyes filling up with tears. Despite the distance she managed to keep, his words went straight to her heart. Why was it so complicated for them to just love each other? He continued:

- All these years, I kept lying to myself, trying to convince the world I was over you. I married Charlotte, because… I don't know why actually, she was just so in love with me and such a nice girl, I felt like I had to move on and give it a shot. For some time, I truly believed we were great together. We had Nicole and Joey, life was nice. Until you showed up again. And then all this happened with Jack and I just realized that you are the love of my life Sharon.

- Andy…

- No, wait, before you say anything… I know it's complicated and ever since we kissed on the night of the fire, I feel so in love and drawn to you… I do know I have to do something about Charlotte, we can't stay married, it just doesn't make any sense anymore and I know I don't belong with her. I understand the distance you need because I'm not officially available… but… I promise you right now that I'm gonna fix this and if you'll have me again, I want us to be together just like we were supposed to be in the first place… What do you say?

He was impatient, finally looking at her, expecting some reaction, anything. All she managed to do was stop in her tracks and look at him, her eyes giving away all the pain she was feeling inside.

- Andy… I'm leaving tomorrow… her voice high-pitched with emotion.

- Where?

- I don't know… she whispered.

- What do you mean you don't know? Andy felt so confused now.

- Chief Johnson decided to put us in the witness protection program… a sob escaped her.

He was taken aback, too shocked to the point of not being able to find a single word to say. He dived into her eyes, feeling like no word would ever be enough to describe what he was feeling. Both were now sobbing while still looking deeply into each other's eyes. Andy dared to step towards her, slowly, laying out his hands. She instinctively met him with hers and they just stayed there, tears rolling down their cheeks, both aware of all the things they would probably never share.

She finally dared to break their silent goodbyes. He had put himself out there and he had the right to hear her thoughts even if it was hopeless.

- Andy… I've always known we were meant to be together. You're my half, have always been and will always be. Our story ended 10 years ago because of me and I hate myself every day for being the reason we lost each other. There's no word to express how much I love you and how glad I am to hear what you feel for me. I'm sure I would have been so happy to share the rest of my life with you, to have a chance to love you more every day.

She paused, raising her hand to touch the side of his face, enjoying her last moment with him, memorizing every sensation, every touch, every line of his. It was such a simple gesture and yet so powerful and full of love. She was taking in the picture she had in front of her to keep it forever in her heart.

- No matter what happens, I will never forget you my love, I'll carry you with me wherever I go and whatever I do, I want you to know that.

- Oh sweetheart… he was crying, not even willing to control the tears that continued to fall out, me neither, Sharon, me neither…

- Please Andy… keep on living, you have your children to take care of! Promise me you won't wait for me…

- Sharon, there must be another way… he sounded so desperate.

- Honey… we don't know for how long… I could come back in a month or in a decade… I don't want to live knowing you're not enjoying your life because of me…

- I… I don't know if I'm gonna be able to do that, Sharon…

- Please try, I beg you… I can't leave knowing you're not at least gonna try… her emerald eyes were so vivid, silently pleading him.

- I'll try…

She took his face in her hands, getting as close to him as she could, and dropped a kiss on his lips, fully wet by his tears. Feeling like she hadn't tasted enough of him, she kissed him again, deeply this time, taking in his essence. Both of them had their eyes closed, still letting out tears, savoring their last moment before an undetermined amount of time. She finally let go. She had to do it fast before she wouldn't be able to leave him anymore.

- Goodbye my love… have a beautiful life… she smiled to him through her tears and turned back on their steps, not daring to lay eyes on him anymore.

Their heart was ripped off their chest at that precise moment. Neither of them knew if they would be able to breathe again without their half. He looked at her until she disappeared in the corner of the street they had come from earlier. He stayed there several minutes, still staring at that street corner... would he ever see her again?

The next morning, as she was leaving for her new life, she found an umbrella on Andrea's porch with a short handwritten note attached:

" To shield you from afar.

Have a wonderful life, my love.

Forever yours"