"Cathy?" He was now dressed, thank god. His face filled with sadness and heart break. It was much like Cathy's except disappointment hung high there as well.

"I can't, Jamie. I just . . . ," her words quickly turned to tears and her head fell to her hands, trying to cover the tears from him. Even if she wanted him to see her hurt. The hurt that he caused.

"Cathy, look at me." A bitter laugh came from the covered face. She didn't even want to begin to face him. She was still trying to convince herself that she was stronger than this. She still loved him, yes, but she didn't like him at all.

"How the hell am I supposed to look at the man who slept with another woman in MY house? Huh, Jamie? How the hell am I supposed to face you? How am I supposed to react?" She looked up at him, tears rolling freely down her face.

"I'm sorry . . . I was stupid," he said, just standing there in the cold winter weather.

"And I'm supposed to hug you and tell you I forgive you and we'll forget all of this? Bullshit, Jamie. You hurt me. And the thing that hurts worse than the fact that I caught you is that you were doing this behind my back. I would have come home and never have known you were in another woman's arms. I'm sorry that I'm stupid, not you. You were smart. I was the dumb one." Her tears slowly froze and soon anger controlled her.

"I'm sorry."

"Sorry doesn't cut it."

"Well, I don't know what to do then, Cathy. What do you want me to do? I'll gladly go back up there and give her another go if you want me to. Is that what you want? If not, tell me what you want!" Her face was in shock and tears began to fall again.

"I want you to love me and only me. That's all. We made vows, Jamie. We took the plunge and you're throwing it all away because you need a fix." Her face turned away from his as she stared blankly at the white ground. "How many before her? Two, five, ten?"

"Only her. And only once. I'm sorry. I could say it the rest of my life if you needed me to. I love you, Cathy. I messed up and I'll pay for it the rest of my life, if need be. Trust me." A soft, warm hand touched her back and it only made her cry harder. She loved him too much not to forgive him. Yet it was so hard.

"Where is she?"

"She left through the kitchen door. So that you could come into your house and feel comfortable." Her lifeless body was picked up by Jamie, as she continued to cry. She wanted to slap him so hard but, at the same time, hug him and never let go. His big, strong arms seemed so safe. She could stay there forever but she was soon set down on the couch, Jamie sitting beside her,

"A million lifetimes could never begin to tell you how sorry I am. How it will never happen again. Part of me wants you to believe that you'll believe me. Yet another tells me that this will always be lurking at the back of your mind. Still, remember this, you're the one who I will love for the rest of my life. You're my rock, my support, my life. No one else could possibly replace. So, baby, please just don't be mad. I will promise you it will never happen again. I promise that the rest of my life I'll never love anyone except you. I love you, Cathy. Please trust that." His hand took her gently and she nodded through her emotions. Tears flooded her face. She knew we was sincere. She could feel that in her gut. Yet, she would never forget this.

This was the worst Christmas for Cathy. Well, the only Christmas that could beat that was the one right after Jamie broke his promise to her.