Sharon had been making progress by the minute ever since she had had her heart-to-heart talk with her love. Hearing his reassuring words had helped her with relaxing and accepting that she deserved to be happy. Luck seemed to finally be back with her and she wouldn't waste any more time on negative thoughts from her past life. Something had clicked in her brain the moment she felt Andy so invested, involved and willing to stay with her.

The doctors had insisted for her to stay one more week at the hospital. They wanted to be careful and observe her to make sure her concussion and all her intern injuries were solved before letting her go. Andy was reassured, he wouldn't take any more risks with her life. Moreover, that would leave them some more days to think about what they were going to do once Sharon would be out.

He had made himself clear: he was out of his marriage with Charlotte and after her hospital stay, he would stay with her and wanted to live with her as long as she would have him. She couldn't be more thrilled to feel so supported and loved. Unfortunately, she had nothing left there, her house having burnt 13 years ago. Andy was in the same position as he left his wife and his home before going to Utah to bring Sharon back. Neither of them had a home anymore. Instead of being sad, they were quite happy to have the opportunity to look for their own family home where both of them would feel comfortable and happy, a place where there would be no bad memories to cloud their happiness.

A light knock on the door resonated in the bright hospital room. Andy and Sharon schooled their features as they were shamelessly kissing and goofily talking about the exciting future still ahead of them. When Sharon gave the mysterious visitor the green light, the door opened and Martha appeared followed by two very familiar people.

- Hello Sweetheart! Martha greeted them as she walked towards the hospital bed.

- Hey mum! Hey Andy, both children embraced her, instantly brightening the room even more, smiling widely, reassured to see their mother so enlightened and cheerful.

- Oh my babies!... Martha! How are you all? Thank you so much for coming! The kids stepped away from their mother, letting Martha approach her.

- Oh dear! We were impatient to see you again! How are you feeling today? As she grabbed her hand, Martha always reminded Sharon of her mother, constantly preoccupied by how she felt, very delicate while very dynamic in her manners and features.

- Well! My heart couldn't be fuller! I'm so happy to be with all of you! Sharon replied, her immense joy resonating in everyone's heart.

- On a more medical note, I can confirm the doctor is very satisfied with her progress. She's been sleeping much better and her injuries are healing quite well, plus her appetite seems to be back! She even mooches food from my plate now, that's how better she feels! Andy chuckled.

- Oh my! You two are such an amazing team! Andy, how sweet it is to see you take such good care of Eliz… I mean Sharon! Martha grinned feeling a little self-conscious for still mistaking her name.

Andy proudly smiled, looking at the love of his life with a soft and loving gaze.

- You're right Martha! He spoils me! I'm so lucky to have him… Sharon rose her hand to brush his cheek with her fingers.

- No, I don't! You deserve every bit of it, Sweetheart! Andy grabbed her hand in his and squeezed it.

- I totally agree with him, Mum. You should let him spoil you. I'm glad to see someone finally take care of you the way you deserve to be taken care of! Emily retorted, suddenly very serious and honest.

It was the first of her children who dares to address her new relationship. She knew she would have to talk to them alone and explain to them the whole background story she shared with Andy, but for now she was glad they were accepting it so easily.

- Thank you, baby. That's very sweet of you to think your old mother deserves to be spoilt, although I think I shouldn't get used to it! Sharon chuckled nervously, her cheeks flushed with emotion.

- Oh I think I can beat your old age my dear! Martha laughed. Anyways, did the doctor say anything about leaving the hospital anytime soon?

- He said this morning that she could leave in a week if her injuries and her concussion keep healing so well, Andy answered quite factually.

- Right, and you'll finally be free to go back to your house dear Martha! I'm so sorry to have made your life so adventurous lately… Sharon was really thankful to have her but she knew Martha had her life back there, in Utah.

- Come on! You know me, I love adventures! Moreover, I'm really glad to help you, Sharon. Except a few friends and my apartment, I don't have anybody waiting for me there. I'm so relieved that you're alive and healthier by the minute. I'll stay as long as you'll need me to. And the kids are such a blessing, I love taking care of them! They're a bit like the grandkids I've always wanted to have!

- Grandma Martha has a very nice ring to it! Emily added smiling.

Everyone laughed feeling very thankful for "Grandma Martha", even Ricky who wanted to keep his emotions undercover. She was now part of their life and it felt weird to imagine their daily routine without her eccentric laughter and delicate manners, her flowery perfume and her thin, shaky voice that made them feel loved and seen.

- Oh dear! It feels so great to have a good laugh! You're probably starving! I'm gonna get us something to eat.

- I'll go with you, Martha! You'll need help to bring everything up here, Andy volunteered.

Andy squeezed Sharon's hand. He knew what he was doing. She needed some time alone with her children and even though it was difficult to leave her, he wasn't worried because she was in good hands and definitely needing that time with her babies. They had a lot to talk about. He wasn't upset at all to not be included in this special moment. He was well-aware that both of them had had a life before finally finding their way to each other. They found a nice balance together, letting each other exist as one and allowing each other to have their own life while loving each other deeply and giving their love partner their full support. And he was doing just that. It was something she needed to do alone and he would do anything to make her life easier.

As the room's door closed behind Andy and Martha, Sharon patted her bed inviting her children to join her again. She then laid out her good arm willing for them to lean into her embrace as if they were still her little babies. Sometimes she really missed the times when they were little toddlers whom she could carry in her arms and cuddle endlessly. They had grown up so fast she felt like she hadn't had enough time to enjoy every little first time they experienced. It seemed so far now while weirdly feeling like it was just yesterday.

Emily met her arm only to roll herself inside Sharon's embrace, wrapping both arms around her still-fragile mother. She nuzzled into her mother's neck. It was one of their mother-daughter habits. Ever since she was a little girl, it had always felt reassuring for Emily to be nuzzled into her mother's neck, surrounded by her scent – that very unique mix of her body odor, her flowery care products and her sweet perfume.

Surprisingly, Ricky joined them reaching for his mother on her other side. Although her arm was less usable, she still managed to open it out for him to be enveloped and shielded inside her cuddle. Her son. Soon an adult. She couldn't possibly imagine them having their own life and not being able to see them every day. But they were both evolving and as a mother she had to encourage them to fly by themselves. It was particularly difficult for her to act reasonably. After all they had gone through together, she was horrified at the thought of losing them. She had come so close to that in the past, that it felt very frightening to have them out of her sight for more than a few hours. Martha was definitely a huge help on that matter.

For a few minutes, the three of them remained entwined, catching up on all the touches they had missed for the last month. Emily and Ricky had been so worried and very shocked when they finally had seen their mother badly injured by their own father. Sharon hadn't agreed for them to see her right away. As always she hated to be a burden even more for her own children. It was only the second time they were allowed to visit her, now that she felt more at ease with the idea of being seen still recovering and more capable of reassuring them.

- We missed you so much, momma, Emily sounded emotional.

- I know… me too Sweetheart! I love you both so much… Sharon answered in a low voice, almost a whisper. How are you two? Are you having fun with Martha?

- We eat a lot with Martha, that's cool, Ricky simply said.

- Oh! Then you must be very satisfied then, Sharon chuckled.

- It's still not the same as being with you, but she's really sweet, Emily added.

- I know, I know… but while I can't be there, I think she's indeed very heartful and she definitely loves you…

- Can I ask you something? Emily interrupted her mother.

- Sure. What do you need to know? Sharon still had her children in her arms, tightening them as much as she physically could.

- I was just wondering… You and Andy? Emily needed a serious talk.

- Oh right… we haven't really had the opportunity to talk about it yet…

- Are you gonna be with him now? Ricky blurted out.

- Does he treat you well? Added Emily.

- Oh my! I can hear you have plenty of questions and I understand.

Sharon took her children out of her embrace so that they could face her and hear the adventurous story that led Andy and their mother to the couple they were now forming. Both remembered the fire and had already understood that something was going on between them two. But what a surprise for them to see him so involved in their mother's life after 13 years of no contact at all.

- Before I even met your father, I met Andy at a Christmas gathering. We were together for about two years and we were really happy.

- Then why didn't you stay together? Sharon's little ballerina definitely needed the whole truth to cope with the new situation.

It hurt but they were grown now and could deal with the truth. Sharon started telling the very sad story of a man and a woman who loved each other beyond explanation but who kept being challenged by the universe. Fortunately, after so many attempts of reunion, it was happy ending story she was telling them or so she hoped because a lot was yet to come.