I sat there my voice wasn't working for some reason, and I couldn't move a muscle.
But seeing his face, his eyes looking into mine, I knew that I had to say something.
I finally found my voice, pushing past the lump in my throat and with tears streaming down my cheeks, I said; "I love you too, and yes I will marry you Nick Stokes"
I said as he slipped the rig on my finger, the silence was broken by the whoops and shrieks of our friends.

As soon as Nick let me go I found myself wrapped in a hug from both Cath and Sara, then Greg and Warrick. The noise level must have gotten pretty good because it wasn't long before the girls came down the stairs. "Mom are you all drunk? You shougld stop drinkin' that eggnog"
"I'm not drunk Megs." I said I held up my hand showing her the ring. She gapped at he ring…"Mom is that… are you and…" Meghan looked like her eyes were going to pop out of her head.

Somehow she over came her shock and with a grin that lit up her face she threw herself into my arms, hugging me. Then she went over and hugged Nick. "I'm so happy!" she said as she grabbed Lindsey by the hands and started dancing around the room. "Careful of the tree you guys." Nick said laughing.

"Well you know that you aren't gonna have any problems if Meghan's happy bout it." Cath observed. "Not many kids take well to their parents re-marrying"
I laughed well not my kid."

Later that night, as we lay in bed Nick asked; "Are you happy Tessa, I mean Really happy?" This question took me by surprise, but I answered with out hesitation.
"I couldn't be happier, Nick. I have my health back, My daughter is healthy and, for the first time in months, happy. And I have you. I couldn't have asked for anything better.
And that's the truth"

"I'm glad to hear that Tessa." He kissed me, and a few minutes later he was sleeping.
Closing my eyes, I prayed;

"God, thank-you for all of the good things that have been given to me over the last few months. With out my friends, my daughter and Nick, I don't think that I would ever have gotten through this. I really don't know what I would have done if I had never gotten the chance to know them"
And then it hit me with certainty, that for the first time since Moving from San Francisco two years before; that had I not moved here, let fate run its course then I wouldn't be lying beside the man that I know I am meant to be with for the rest of my life.
Merry Christmas Everyone.

THE END