CHAPTER 1
It's late in the evening; Sandy and Kirsten are on the couch watching TV together. The boys have left for their annual trip to Tijuana, and Kirsten and Sandy are spending some quality time with each other, while they have the chance. Her hair up in a ponytail, no make-up on, and loose-fitting clothes, this is how Kirsten feels best around Sandy. It shows her how much he really loves the real her, the person underneath the mask she wears when she goes around Newport. Sandy however, is wearing his work suit, being called home by Kirsten with an "emergency". When he came home she told him she just wanted to be with him, which was good enough of a reason for him to stay and call the office to tell them his wife needed him.
Sandy puts his arm around his wife gently, and pulls her closer. His other hand sets off for her cheek, wanting to kiss her beautiful lips. Kirsten puts her arms around his neck, enjoying these small moments together, telling herself this is the great side of being married to such a great guy, her eye falls on a commercial on TV. All of a sudden she pushes Sandy away, tears starting to fill her eyes.
"Honey, what's wrong?" Sandy gently tries to comfort her.
"There's something I should have told you a long time ago, but I never dared to. I was too afraid of how you'd react. I just don't want to lose you Sandy. This has played such an important part in my life that you have to know, and I think now is the right time." Kirsten whispered, tears now rolling down her cheeks. "Jimmy and I, well, we were supposed to have a baby. My father found out I was pregnant and gave me two choices, either to get rid of the baby and Jimmy at the same time, or to leave and never come back. Jimmy wouldn't understand how I could kill an innocent creature, so he left me. He said he never wanted to speak to me again, until he moved in next door, and we started talking again. I know I should have told you all of this a long time ago, but it was so hard. I was so scared you would be like my dad and refuse me. Please Sandy, forgive me?"
Sandy kindly wiped away the tears that were sliding down her face, and let her weep quietly on his shoulder. Now finally understanding why Kirsten had wanted to stay so close to Jimmy, he felt sorry for her, for having to carry this burden with her for such a long time. Trying to reassure her, he said: "But sweetheart, how can I forgive you for something that doesn't need to be forgiven? I'm so sorry you had to go through this alone. I'm so, so sorry for giving you the impression that you couldn't talk to me about it." He felt like crying with her, he was feeling emotional, but he had to be strong. He had to be there for Kirsten, he was there to support her, not to make her feel even worse by admitting he felt bad because of what she had just said.
As they sat there together, Sandy felt his love's warm breath in his neck. She wasn't breathing as fast as she had been before; she had calmed down a little. Her head started to feel heavier, and Sandy knew she was falling asleep. He kissed her softly on her hair while she closed her eyes and loosened her grip on him. When he was sure she was asleep, he lifted her up carefully and took her down the hall to put her in bed. She's so beautiful when she's asleep, he thought, covering her with a warm blanket.
Sandy changed to his sleeping costume and lay down on the bed. Admiring her beauty, he stroked Kirsten through her hair tenderly. Apparently she hadn't been completely asleep yet, seeing as she opened her eyes a little to see who was caressing her. She smiled at him, he smiled back. They were happy together. Kirsten was somewhat happy with the choice she made, not marrying Jimmy, during times like these. After numerous years of marriage, they were still in love, and happier than ever. There were tough times, but they made it through, together. Nothing could break them apart.