Without Andy, her hospital room felt empty, lifeless. She needed him so much at the moment that she almost felt guilty to be so needy. Sharon was looking out the window and thinking of what her life had become. After a month of sequestration and a week in a hospital, she was so lucky to be alive. She had a bunch of bruises and scratches left to heal but broadly speaking she had nothing to complain about. She was back home. Back to her children, her town, her love.

She still had doubts, of course. It all happened so fast that she went from her life in Utah, used to living a lie, to being back to her real life where there was no hiding behind another identity anymore. Sometimes it was overwhelming to think about all the changes that might be ahead. What would happen next? What if when she'd be released from the hospital Andy would want to go back to his own life? She was so scared to face the unpredictable, to be left alone to deal with her own business. She had had her lot of unexpected turn of events and wasn't ready to face another difficult adjustment. It was ridiculous to feel so terrified when one knew she had faced so much on her own in the past. She spent so many years keeping her doubts to herself always pretending that everything would work out fine that she felt exhausted to have to do it all over again. She was probably getting too worked up about it but she felt tension growing inside her and she knew she'd have to deal with these issues soon.

As always she didn't want to burden anyone and she hated to feel so needy. Maybe Jack wasn't so off the mark. Maybe she was really responsible for the failure of their marriage because she was too needy, expected too much. What if Andy eventually came to the same conclusion? He had told her he'd be there but what if not? Tears started rolling down her cheeks uncontrollably. She couldn't stop herself. It was too overwhelming. She had waited for their reunion for so long that it now seemed so fragile, surreal, like it could go away from one second to the other. She was horrified to possibly lose him. Again.

Although she was not really supposed to, she decided to try and get up by herself, meaning to go to the toilet so that she could dry her tears and pull herself back together before Andy came back. Her steps were slow and hesitant, but she managed to find her way to the toilet. Even after so many days at the hospital her body felt very sore, her legs heavy. Her middle was especially achy. She had a couple of cracked ribs that would still need quite some time to heal.

Reaching the sink, she took a look at her reflection. She sometimes forgot how her bruised face was. She had to take hold of herself again before Andy would see her like this. As she bent forward, bringing water to her face, her head started spinning. She let go of the water and tried vainly to grab the edge of the sink. Her vision went blurry. She couldn't find anything within reach to regain her balance. She felt herself collapsing backward, totally disoriented and confused.

Shit. She couldn't handle the situation by herself. She needed help. What would Andy say if he could see her now? Maybe he would feel annoyed to have to assist her with everything. How would she show him that she wasn't so demanding? Her thoughts were confusing and made her brain dive into a deep fog. She couldn't decipher reality from what was building up in her head. The only thing she knew was that she was beyond frightened to lose him and mess it all up again.

She felt herself falling in slow motion, not quite realizing what was going on. Sharon was getting dangerously close to the ground when she felt strong arms catching her under her own. Andy almost lost balance himself trying to stand her back up so he decided to sit her down on the floor, hoping to avoid her any more pain. Finally on the safe ground, she felt his arms wrapping her middle to which she reacted with a muffled moan. Poor Andy was breathless and shaking.

- Oh my god, Sharon! Are you okay?! he was in shock.

- Yes, I think so… she was totally off the hook, trying to understand what had just happened.

- You almost fell! What were you doing up? he was upset she could tell.

- I just… I… she sniffled… I just wanted to wash my face a little...

- But why didn't you wait for me, damn it! I was so scared you'd hurt yourself, Sharon! he rose his voice and that was it, it hit her with a crashing wave of panic.

- Please, no! Please… stop… she begged him, embraced herself, her arms protecting her body as if she was about to get beaten up.

Andy hadn't realized he had just shouted on her. He didn't mean to get upset with her he was just really scared and impulsively rose his voice. He felt suddenly so guilty to make her feel so afraid of him.

- Honey, I'm so sorry… I didn't mean to scare you, he smothered his tone, gently caressing her arms.

Sharon was still trying to find a regular breathing, feeling totally overwhelmed with the whole situation.

- It's okay, Sweetheart. Breath in and out… I'm so sorry… he felt so bad.

He slowly turned her around in his embrace and opened her arms so that she would unwrap herself and look at him. He reacted harshly because he was so scared to lose her and mad at himself for letting her try to stand up by herself. Yet the message had gone out totally wrong. She thought he was mad at her when it was actually the exact opposite. He should have been there to help her up and she wasn't to be blamed for the fall she almost took.

- It's okay, honey, look at me please… he softly raised her chin, I'm not mad at you, how could I? And God I could never hurt you… please don't think I could ever be like him. I swear on my life, Sharon! I only want to protect you and help you, not hurt you.

- I know you're not like him… she said between her sobs, but… but… what if… you come to the same conclusion? she didn't know if she was ready to let her doubts out.

- What do you mean? he answered, confused.

- You know… in our first years together, we were happy. Jack was in love with me… And somehow he ended up thinking that I was too demanding and too needy, never satisfied, too cold to him… and then beat me up… Andy I'm so scared…

- Honey, what are you so scared of? He's gone now, he can't hurt you anymore… his heart ached for her.

- You don't understand…

- Tell me honey, I'm all ears!

- I'm… I'm scared… to lose you… I don't want to feel like you have to assist me with everything… What if after a while you get tired of me? Tired of taking such good care of me all the time? You're too good for me! I've lost you twice already… I can't live through a third one… she was deeply sobbing, finally showing him all her insecurities. What if you get disappointed with the woman I've become, more sensitive, more fragile, older…? I feel so ridiculous needing you so much, missing you all the time… she paused, trying to collect all her thoughts. What I'm probably more afraid of… is that the dream might fade… and that eventually you give up on me…

Andy was shattered. She had been alone a very big part of her life, not being able to count on any men to help her. And of course, now she was crippled and damaged, frightened to be abandoned. How could she believe so when he was there to stay and he knew they would stay together forever because they were just meant to be. He took her warmly in his arms, making circles one her back with his hand, soothing her.

- I want you to listen to every word I'm about to say to you. Can you do that for me?

- Yes… she whispered still sniffling.

- I am here now, and I will be as long as you'll have me. If it's up to me, I'll never leave your side, ever again. I'm never gonna get tired of taking care of you, Sweetheart, I've been waiting for this as much as you did.

As he was reassuring her, he brushed her hair with his fingers, wrapping her tightly in his protective arms. Sharon was quieter in his embrace, but he knew she was crying nonetheless. Fear was a very irrational thing and she'd need a moment to feel better again. He wanted to help her every step of the way and he would keep her in his arms as long as she'd need it. He continued:

- I've been in love with you for over 20 years, nothing can change my love for you… he chuckled, do you remember our song?

- Yes… she smiled in her whisper.

- Those lyrics are still very much accurate to me… It's true Sharon, our dream came true and it won't fade, I can promise you that! Can you trust me on this?

- Yes… she whispered again and paused. But Andy, I'm so different now… won't you be disappointed?

- You have changed and I can see it, feel it even, but never in the world I could be disappointed with you my love!

Andy slightly pulled her out of his embrace so that she could face him. His hands were now on both sides of her still bruised face.

- Look me in the eye honey… You are beautiful my love… You're nothing but generous, heartful, loving, caring and just wonderful. You're not needy and I don't feel like I have to assist you with everything. What's wrong with needing affection and attention? I'm about the same honestly and I also miss you all the time. That's totally okay and so normal! We've been apart for so long! I really want you to understand that we're together in this and I'm not giving up on you. Not now. Not ever. Do you hear me? I am not giving up on you, Sharon.

- Okay… she smiled, tears flowing involuntarily.

- Just let me be there for you… hold you as much as you need to be held… I'm so glad I get to support you! All I do for you I'm willing to do. And even after your stay here, I won't leave your side you can be sure of that and feel relaxed, I swear.

- Andy… she leaned into him again looking for his warmth. Thank you so much!

She then raised her head, looking for his mouth. She needed to feel connected to him in a more intimate way, showing him how she felt about him since the words wouldn't come out. They kissed for several minutes. Her face was still wet with tears so when they came up for air, Andy used his thumbs to dry her flushed cheeks. She felt suddenly very tired, the panic attack having quite drained her. Nonetheless, Sharon felt happy, her heart full, her body relaxed. Life was beautiful and their dream seemed to be living on. At last, happiness was ahead of them and she could start believing in it without being clouded by her now-gone doubts.