The next morning, Malia was still reeling from all that had happened the night before. She couldn't believe that Mallory would stoop that low, blaming her for everything that was wrong with her own marriage, and hearing her say that she would never be happy with Jensen was what had sent her over the edge.

She barely got any sleep, her mind replaying all that had been said and not allowing her to rest and figure things out on her own terms. Still, through all of it, one thing stood out to her: the way Jensen stood by her, calling Mallory out on her bullshit and defending her in front of everyone, as well as the way he held her tight when everyone had left, allowing her to release all the pent-up sadness that had built up in her at hearing Mallory's words.

Malia left her room and walked downstairs, knowing Jensen would most likely be waiting for her so they could have breakfast together. As she's getting to the bottom of the stairs, she found Jensen waiting for her there.

Without saying a word, he took her hand and walked out of the house and into the beautiful garden in the back. Leading her to one of the stone benches, they sat down before Jensen spoke.

- "Are you okay?"

- "I will be. I'm sorry about last night. I didn't mean for any of that to happen."

- "Malia, you're not the one who should apologize, Mallory is. She had no right in saying those things to you. And don't, not for a second, believe anything she said. She doesn't know how our marriage works and what we have agreed to, so she has no right in telling you things that are not true. Trust me, we can make this work. I believe in us."

- "Part of me knows you're right, but there's another part of me who believes what she said. After spending years hearing stuff like that from her, I guess it's easier to believe in the bad things than in the good ones, you know?" – Malia told him, sadly.

- "Well, for what it's worth, I know she's wrong. I know you've been a great wife and that we can make this work and be happy. Malia, I'll always stand by you, no matter what. You're my wife and I'll be damned if I'm gonna let anyone hurt you in any way. You have my word on that."

Jensen meant every word he said to her. Seeing her so broken, confused and ashamed the night before ignited something in him. He was enraged to say the least and there was nothing he wouldn't do to protect her from ever feeling like that again.

As he stood up, bringing her up with him, and kissed her forehead before hugging her tight, realization hit him like a speeding freight train. He had fallen in love with her. Just like that and without warning he just couldn't see himself being with anyone else. As much as it pained him to admit, his father was right when he decided to marry him to Malia. The only doubt in this perfect realization was if she felt the same way.

Malia felt Jensen's lips on her forehead and closed her eyes when his arms pulled her tightly into his embrace. And then, like lightning striking across the sky, she admitted something to herself that she had been to scared to admit. She was in love with him. But did he feel the same? If he didn't, she would be heartbroken. She wasn't sure she was strong enough to ask him and, if she did ask and he didn't feel the same, to deal with the repercussions. It was then that he surprised her.

Pulling back, Jensen decided to take a chance and hope for the best. Looking into her eyes, he slowly leaned in, half expecting her to pull away, and when she didn't, he kissed her. It was a soft and gentle kiss, one that you would read about in fairytales but sweet and complete in its beauty. He felt the softness of her lips on his and he swore then and there that he would never get enough of them.

It surprised Malia seeing Jensen leaning in, but it was the answer to her internal debate, and she wasn't going to run away from it. When his lips touched hers, she knew that there was no turning back. Kissing him back, she felt the light stubble on his face brush against her skin and that made her want him more.

Eventually they broke the kiss for a chance to breathe. They stood there, in each other's arms, their foreheads touching and smiling just like two school kids who just had their first kiss. This was the beginning of a new stage of their relationship and they both knew it was an important one. Now, only time would tell what it would bring them. One thing they were sure of: as long as they stuck together, nothing would stop them.