Maia pulled up to the school around lunch time, seeing the students milling around and smelling all different kinds of cuisines. She knew that she was supposed to get Isaac after school, but in the aftermath of her fight with Derek, needing something to occupy herself until she could bury what he said in the back of her mind.

A sudden burst of greatness struck her and Maia laughed at herself, stepping out of her car. She followed her nose to Isaac, making sure to flip her hair several times in the hallway- with her Beta's senses growing, peaking and sharpening, he should have been able to smell her from the parking lot. Everyone turned to watch when Maia pushed open the doors to the lunch room, taking in the red and leather clad figure that strode towards them confidently. She smelled how suddenly amorous the room became from the sharp peak in pheromones and smiled confidently, her eyes landing on the object of her affection.

The whole room turned to stare at Isaac as he watched Maia, the noticeably older and insanely attractive woman sitting before him with a twinkle in her eye. They looked at each other and Isaac grinned, feeling more and more confident the longer the electricity wavered between them.

"So miss, you're at my school, eating cafeteria food with me. What a nice way to spend your day," Isaac said finally, knowing that she was doing this purposely. Maia nodded and reached forward to take his hand, playing with his fingers. "Not for long, though. Hopefully," she replied as Isaac chuckled, pressing his free hand to his mouth to stifle the laughter threatening to burst out of him. "You know, you are a piece of work Maia Hale- but I like it. Let's get out of here."

"My thoughts exactly."

Maia stood, still holding Isaac's hand and the two made a show of walking out together, many people following after them to see where one of the school's biggest outcast was walking with a woman who could have been a model. In the parking lot, he prepared to get in the passenger seat before Maia kissed him, putting the keys in his hand and smiling, "You drive."

Their audience gawked as Isaac climbed into the driver's seat, Maia handing him a pair of aviators that Isaac pushed on. She heard his heartbeat pick up a pace and an overwhelming sense of pride washed over her that she was the one getting to sit by Isaac- not the other way around. He let the engine purr for a minute, Maia taking the opportunity to smile widely at all those gawking at the sight of Isaac and the mysterious older woman he was with. And to her excitement, Scott was right in front, his eyes on the verge of shifting to amber- he knew exactly why Maia was with Isaac and he was not happy. The Beta's fingers wrapped around the steering wheel, Isaac staring at Maia's face as he sped out of the parking lot. He liked the way she laughed, her head thrown back and her face turned towards the sun.

"You're too awesome," Isaac said as he drove towards the mall, brushing his hair behind his ear.

"Me? You are too- after all, you do come from good stock. Just look at Derek and I. We're bad ass," Maia replied, leaning back in her seat and smirking. Isaac couldn't disagree- not when a woman who was like the epitome of everything he had ever wanted was sitting by his side- and laughed, pulling into a parking spot. Maia came to link her arm in his, smiling up at the slightly taller teen and knowing that the thought to spend time with him had been a good one on her part.

Isaac shopped for what felt like the first time in his life, parading himself back and forth in front of, striking poses and learning how to strut underneath Maia's generous instruction until he felt absolutely silly. Every time he looked a price tag and gawked at the number he found there she would glare at him, taking whatever garment had shocked him and throwing it to the store assistants that would follow them around- after all, Maia and Derek were some of their best customers. By the time all was said and done, Isaac had spent close to two thousand dollars of Maia's money and was carrying around bags from the most expensive stores that all of Beacon Hills had to offer. They went to stop for a late lunch, Isaac glad to get off of his feet, but knowing that he really didn't have the need to anymore- he would have been comfortable to stand on his feet for days: sitting was a creature comfort.

"You know, I am really glad you decided to be with us," Maia said suddenly as they waited on their drinks, her lovely hands folded in front of her. Isaac leaned back in his chair and nodded, playing with a packet of sugar, "You were one of the first people to ever see something in me that I didn't. Why wouldn't I want to be with you?"

"And Derek too, baby deer. Don't forget that he is an Alpha as well and as leader of our pack, you must be… for lack of a better term, his."

Isaac's eyes searched her face and half-smiled, throwing down the packet. He knew that Maia was trying to force the issue of Derek being her mate and Isaac being under him, but he had no intentions of being trapped underneath anyone anymore. Sure, he would follow him and try to impress him, to make Derek respect him, but only on his terms. He was more interested in what Maia had to think and say, anyway- she had chosen him, saved him and he was forever indebted to her for that.

The waitress brought their drinks and took their orders, leaving them once more to stare at each other. "So, what's your story Maia," he asked, sipping at his Coke. She sighed and started to play with a lock of her own hair, knowing exactly where she would start…

Maia stared out of the window of the truck, slumped down in her seat. Her book bag was in her lap and her arms were crossed over her chest, the young teen staring at the back of her mother's head. It had been her idea to move after Maia's younger sister succumbed to the problems that had plagued her after the car accident, the same accident that had almost claimed Maia Wyndham's life as well. Maia's mother turned to face her and smiled sadly, knowing that she had to pull her only surviving child out of the growing depression she was in.

"We're here Mai."

The fourteen-year-old Maia straightened up slightly, watching the hustle and bustle of the students as they got ready for the start of classes. Had she actually cared she probably would have been excited for the prospect of making new friends, but as it was, she was looking at the many faces she had to avoid. She didn't want any excessive contact with anyone her age- or seeing as she had skipped a grade, a year older… or anyone else, as a matter of fact.

The two stepped out of the small Explorer her father loved so and Maia followed her mother into the high school, slinging her book bag over one shoulder before reaching up to tuck her curly hair behind her ears. Maia was quiet as her mother and the principle went over the paperwork that came with her transfer, content to stare out at the kids walking by the window of the front office.

And then, there he was.

Walking backwards in front of a rather large group of boys, was the most handsome young man she had ever seen, dark-haired and bright eyed. Maia felt her jaw go slack at the sight of his smile, the boy turning to stare in the office at her. It felt as if the world blurred around the edges as they locked eyes, the young girl only snapped out of her reverie by her mother calling her several times. With a hug and a kiss Maia set off on her first day of sophomore year, still thinking about the boy that had made her stomach fill with butterflies.

She saw him again at lunch, looking up from her peanut butter sandwich to meet smiling eyes.

"What, no jelly?"

Maia smiled in reply and swiped at her mouth, "I'm allergic to grapes."

The boy considered her answer and nodded, resting his chin in his hand to watch her better. "So you're the new girl. Everyone's been talking about you and I've got to admit, all of my friends were right: you're pretty," he said, finding himself grinning at the deep blush that grew in her cheeks. He decided then that she was more than pretty: she was beautiful, with her huge hazel eyes and full mouth, her mane of curls looking wild even restrained though it was by her headband. "I'm Derek Hale."

"Maia Wyndham," she replied confidently, her eyes lighting up as a smile flashed across her face. Derek smiled as well, thinking of how much he liked her already- after all, they had three more years together.

Maia was quiet despite her friendly demeanor, warming up to Derek's circle of friends with ease. He was very popular and most people couldn't understand why he had chosen such a quiet girl as one of his inner circle. In all truth, Derek didn't understand it either- the overwhelming attraction to be with her seemed just as natural as breathing and there was no reason not to be around Maia. Their friendship blossomed and grew over the school year, the summer just time to relax and be with each other.

It was one such summer day that Maia came clean, staring up at the cloudless sky and sighing.

"My sister's dead. I should be dead too, but the car hit on her side and… I'm glad I'm alive: I have to be for Alexa. And I'm glad I'm here, with you Derek because us being friends has done much more for me than my parents or therapy or medication ever could. But sometimes… I wish I wasn't alive-"

He sat up and looked at her harshly, knowing that she was sharing something with him- and knowing that he could never do the same. Derek admired her strength, her freedom and for her to wish that all away killed him inside. "Don't you ever say that Maia, because I want you- no, I need you alive, alright. You're…"

"Your best friend," Maia suggested, seeing him at a loss for words. She was shocked when Derek Hale, her friend and confidant, leaned over, cupped her face in his hands and kissed her hard, very nearly sucking the life out of her.

"You're so much more than that, kid."

Their love affair was a whirlwind, and soon the two were talking about their future, Derek finding himself at odds when faced with the fact that at some point he'd have tell her the truth about why he could never take her out on the nights of a full moon. Maia and Derek were happy together physically, emotionally, mentally and at least on her behalf, spiritually. For someone who thought God had turned his back on her, Derek had made Maia a believer in all things being for a reason.

And then the fire happened, and all chance for them to live a normal life went up in a puff of smoke. Yet, after all of Derek's secrets was out in the open, the life they did share together was everything they could have hoped for and more. There were still bumps in the road of course, most notably the times when Derek would attempt to drink away the sorrows that Maia couldn't attempt to tackle- it was one such time that had gotten him entangled with Kate Argent, one of the few people who knew who and what he truly was. He hadn't had it in his heart to keep it a secret from the woman he loved, Maia forgiving him after some tender love and care on Derek's part. He moved in with Maia and her parents for the remainder of their high school years, before they got their own place, more content to work than go to school. He would go to the coffee shop where she waitressed every day exactly fifteen minutes before her shift ended, sipping at the mocha cappuccino as he watched her work. Maia loved the atmosphere and the regulars- everyone was greeted with a smile, noting that the whole air of comfort and home was all wrapped up around the kind waitress with the bright hazel eyes.

It was there where Derek finally proposed one night in May, seeing her weary for the first time after pulling a double shift, Maia dropping a rack of dirty mugs and cursing underneath her breath. He had gotten up and was there picking up the cups before she had even bent down, the young woman smirking at the way he always moved faster than her. Derek looked up into her face and put the mug in his hand back down on the floor, sensing that this moment was much better than the one he had planned with them walking through the park.

"Hey," he said simply, Maia making a face.

"Hi."

Derek smiled and shook his head at her, reaching in his pocket to retrieve the small white ring box. "I want you to do something incredibly stupid for me, even more stupid than having a werewolf for a boyfriend: I want you to marry him. Do his wolfy ass a favor and make him thank God every day for having a woman like you in his arms. Make him think that good things always come out of the bad-" Maia slumped to her knees in front of him, needing to look in his eyes to know that he wasn't playing games with her before she nodded, throwing her arms around his neck and smashing her mouth to his.

"Yes, Derek. A thousand times- yes."

Derek made Maia wait a year until she was nineteen to get married just to make it known to everyone that they weren't getting married on a whim or because of a pregnancy, glad that the next spring she would become his wife. Laura was the maid of honor and Derek's only family at the ceremony full of people that loved Maia- she was obviously the one who had brought so many great people into his life. Kate had been there too in the background, her eyes cold and her expression steely as she had met Derek's gaze, knowing that she had lost him to Maia- even though he was never Kate's to have. She wore a soft yellow dress, her hair pinned up and decorated with flowers, Maia's smile like the sun to Derek. The ceremony went by in a blur, with Maia focusing on breathing steadily and Derek trying his hardest to say his vows without sounding like an idiot. When it came time for them to kiss, it took Maia's breath away, as if she had never kissed Derek before. He brushed against her, his eyes glowing blue- Maia was worried but she knew that he was in control, her new husband reaching down to grasp her hand in his. Derek ghosted his lips against hers, smiling to himself when she rose up on her toes and kissed him passionately, her fingers gripping the back of his neck. He remembered their audience belatedly and pulled away, pacifying his bride by dropping a kiss to her palm that was their unspoken 'I love you'.

The next year felt like a blur to the newlyweds, the constant state of happiness resulting in a positive pregnancy test. Derek set out on creating a real home for his wife and unborn child, aspiring to be what his father had been to him. He would come home at night after work and Maia would help him shower before they'd fall into bed together, Derek's head pressed against the swelling that was their love personified. They knew that their baby would inherit Derek's lycanthropy, especially when the full moon arose in her fourth month of pregnancy, Maia having to deal with the pain and substantial bleeding that came with whatever changes the half-human child was going through. But Maia was convinced thoroughly that he- they learned right after the full moon that their baby would be a boy- was worth the complications associated with the pregnancy. She spent many hours quiet, her hands on her stomach feeling for a kick or a flutter, or staring at ultrasound pictures. It was a strange feeling to know that a new life, a life that was part of her and part of Derek grew within her; sometimes, it just felt surreal.

Their world shattered on the day that Maia hit twenty-eight weeks, the couple curled up on the couch together. Derek was snuggled into his wife's side, one hand resting on her stomach as he held her against him. Their hands moved together, following the movements of the active baby as they laughed and talked about their future. "I need ice cream Der, or I think I might die," she bemoaned, Derek rolling his eyes and standing. Maia swatted his backside, smiling as he grabbed his keys. "I'll be back in ten babe. Take care of the puppy," he said, seeing the martyred look on his young wife's face- she hated when he referred to their baby as a 'pup' or 'cub'. He kissed her and walked out of the door, not seeing the dark shape that moved into their house.

Maia was humming and rubbing her stomach her back to the front door, shrieking when a hand came down over her face holding a white cloth before passing out.

She wavered between awareness and unconsciousness, feeling the cool kitchen floor beneath her. Maia knew that something was wrong, hearing snippets and ends of words from a soft, feminine voice. There was only one person that could get close enough to harm her- who would want to harm her: Kate.

"Derek!"

Maia screamed out as pain twisted within her, feeling the cold steel of Kate's knife plunging into her. She heard her own flesh ripping, struggling to move her half-dead limbs, her jaw clenching down. Maia took her bottom lip between her teeth, biting down until she could taste blood- it felt as if she could literally feel him dying within her, the baby moving and kicking against the abuse being inflicted upon him. "No!" This was Derek's fault- Maia hated that he had befriended her, kissed her, made love to her, sighed against her, falling submissive in her arms, giving himself to her because the simple, blinding fact was that if it were not for Derek, she wouldn't have ever known- no, loved this baby she was about to lose. Maia felt herself shudder and then Kate was leaning over her face, her skin blood flecked and the murderer panting in satisfaction.

"You wanted your baby," Kate hissed, dropping something warm and bloody against Maia's arm. "Now you have him. Congratulations Maia."

She found the strength to move, gasping in pain as she laid a hand on her son. His heart still beat, however it was weak and Maia could feel the life in him fading. "Hold on Joshua. Daddy's coming home soon- you'll be alright, you'll be alright…" But Maia knew that these last few moments with her baby were precious: he took a breath and then he was still, his mother finding herself unable to breathe. She choked, eyes wide in horror, unseeing as she felt his warmth leave the cold little body in her arms. Maia's blood spread in a puddle underneath them and she pressed her baby against her, hoping irrationally that maybe he could be saved if only she could keep him close. Hazel eyes closed and Maia found herself drifting away, thinking of sunshine…

"Mai, I come bearing gifts," Derek said, opening the door. He balanced the grocery bags in his hands while kicking off his shoes in the foyer, pausing when he smelled blood- it was powerful, overwhelming. "Maia, you alright? Mai-"

He rounded the corner into the kitchen and slipped in the massive puddle of blood there, his eyes fixed on the pale form of his wife. Derek gagged when he saw the massive whole in her midsection, his gaze finally falling on the little figure she has cradled in the crook of her arm.

"Oh God, Mai! No, no…"

Derek pulled her up into his lap, seeing her eyes flutter and holding her head up, pressing his forehead to hers. He was sobbing uncontrollably, feeling as if there was nothing left but empty space created in her by the absence of their child: a burning rage curled up inside of him. And then Maia was struggling, as weak as she was, gasping out unintelligible words as she began to choke on her own blood. Maia's breath felt empty in her lungs, the air insubstantial- she didn't need it anymore, not when she had nothing to live for. She pushed at his hands as they tried to cradle her face; she didn't want to see Derek because he knew that he thought she shared her pain when it was he who had done this to her, to them. Derek was afraid for Maia, whispering her name and telling her how sorry he was for what had happened… and what he had to do.

Maia let out the most blood-curdling scream she had ever uttered, Derek pulling her head back as he buried his teeth in her throat. He had heard her heart beat start to stutter and fail, knowing that she had lost nearly all of her blood. Derek didn't even know if the Bite could save her, but he had to try- Maia was all he had left. Her body felt heavy, Maia feeling the burning pain spread through her being as she was changed. And then she went unconscious, limp in her husband's arms.

The night was long as Derek set about fixing his shattered home, bathing Maia and tending to her wounds before putting her to bed. He took the homecoming outfit he had gotten for their son and washed him, clothing him, bundling him and moving to their backyard to bury him beside Maia's small garden. Then he was tasked with cleaning up all of the blood, the kitchen smelling like bleach when he was finished. All Derek had was hurt and defiance- his wolf pulled at him to phase, to go out and destroy something, anything… everything. He was numb as he fell into bed beside his wife, seeing the slow changes in her as he reached out tentatively to touch her shoulder. Derek could have screamed, but every breath he took was swallowed into the aching chasm of his heart. He pressed his face into her hair until he couldn't breath, relishing the ache in his lungs and wondering what it would be like to die of asphyxiation. It would be better than this… hell- this avoidable agony thrust upon him by fate. He knew he was going into shock, his body and mind failing him, rushing towards darkness, soft and comforting just like Maia always had been.

The next morning Maia awoke, even as she fought against consciousness. She wanted her body to feel heavy, but the only thing that felt heavy was the oppressing weight of the heavy comforter on top of her which she promptly pushed off. Derek's breathing was loud in her ear and her eyes opened with barely a flicker, her body feeling well rested even after all of the horrors the night had afforded her. As if it had all been a dream, Maia pulled up her nightgown and pulled at the gauze that was wrapped around her stomach, finding that it shredded easily in her fingertips.

The flesh there was smooth, unblemished… flat.

Maia sat up fully, the sudden movement making Derek snap awake and stare at her. She let her now-clear eyes run over his face, feeling a rush of anger pump through her body, fuelling the desire to hurt him as he had hurt her- had hurt them both. Derek's eyes were weary, red and swollen- to Maia he had never looked more human. He reached out and touched her arm tentatively, wary of what she had become in the night. Maia looked… hollow, not even bothering to resist as Derek's fingers wandered over her skin, his fingers sliding up gently into his hair. He attempted to meet her eyes sadly before she deflected his gaze and Maia mused that he looked how she should feel, his stare that of those who had seen and lost everything, every aspect of grief and anguish, and despair rolled into one. He felt sick as he spoke her name and pulled her into his arms, burying his face into her shoulder and sobbing. Maia couldn't find it in her heart cry and simply let Derek hold her, realizing in an almost detached manner that he needed it more than she did, needed to convince her of his sorrow and regret- but his words were meaningless. Still, Maia raised her hand- which felt as if it were not her own- and brushed back his hair before resting her cheek there.

"Where is Joshua? Where is my son," she asked quietly, the persistent pain gnawing at Derek's heart at the thought that she had given him a name. Joshua: it suited that little dark-haired boy well. "I buried him in the garden Maia."

She pulled away from him and cast her eyes down, tucking her hair back behind her ears, "I'm going to go take a shower. I, uh… I just need some space Derek." His brow furrowed and he stood when she made a step towards the door, unsure of what to think about her apathy. And then Derek paused, questions dying on his lips as he stared at her back.

"Shouldn't we talk? I need to know what happened Mai-"

"I'm not sure I have anything to say to you right now," she said, still unable to look Derek in the eyes. She didn't know if she could ever look into his eyes again, not when their… baby had had his eyes, blue-green and as clear as a cloudless sky. "Maia, please. Talk to me- he was my son too," Derek murmured, his wife sensing his growing agitation. "Later."

He dropped his head, defeated as Maia disappeared into the bathroom. She turned the water on full blast and stepped underneath the spray without taking off her nightgown, immersing herself in the blistering heat. It was then that the noticed how clean she already was, Derek having washed her hair and cleaned away the blood she knew would have caked underneath her nails. Her hand brushed against her stomach as she sought to drop them at her side, the sudden pain making her whole body throb- never again would there be a flicker of movement… of life beneath her palm. There it was, the pain, the dread, the overwhelming agony of losing the one thing she had to live for. Maia lost her footing and the floor of the shower rushed to meet her, her head slamming back painfully into the wall as she stared into the thick steam. She pulled her legs up to her chest and wrapped her arms around them, tucking her knees between her chin as she began to rock back and forth. She was terrified at the thought of living without Joshua, with living as… a wolf.

The bathroom door slammed open, heavy footfalls on the cold linoleum floor as Derek rushed in to see what was wrong.

Maia felt her wolf for the first time rise up within her, feeling her muscles and bones tied to the animal inside of her as she came off of the floor. Her skin felt as if it were shredding to pieces, Derek finding himself face to face with a massive white wolf- Maia was wild-eyed and snarling, snapping at her husband before tearing out of the bathroom and running down the stairs. Derek chased after her, phasing just as Maia burst out of the back door. She jumped over the gate and wouldn't stop running even as Derek called out to her- he was thankful he had thought to move to a place where woods were all around because if Maia had been seen in broad daylight like a rabid animal, she would have been shot on sight. Derek overcame her and smashed his heavily muscled body into her side, not wanting to harm her but needing to slow her down, if only for a moment. He phased, attempting to show her how easy it was to pull herself away from her wolf and standing before her. "Maia, listen to me. What happened, has happened and nothing I can say is ever going to change the fact that we lost our baby… that you watched him die," Derek said, feeling his voice crack. Her wolf growled, dark lips pulled back over glistening teeth, watching him like a hawk. Maia wanted her to lash out, to leave the imprint of her anger upon him, but something in the corner of her heart stilled her… and she realized that no matter what that he was her mate.

But she still wanted to hurt him.

"I had no hand in this Mai, saw no sign of this coming. And if I had, I would have gladly given-"

"Kate. It was Kate, of course," Maia said once she had found the will to phase, her eyes locked on the forest floor. "I would have given my life for him and for you. Look, I know its my fault- that this is the consequences of my actions," Derek replied, feeling his blood boil at the thought that Kate had come after them again. He stepped closer to her and all of a sudden Maia felt vulnerable, hugging her arms around herself even as he gripped her shoulder tightly. "Are you okay sweetheart?" He looked up at her through his dark lashes, his face drawn and pained. Maia's reply was calm and quiet, the childless mother exhaling heavily, "Of course I'm not." Derek tilted her chin up to try and force her to look at him, feeling his heart start to grow as could as his dead son had been. "Then tell me what I can do to make it right- I know it may never be okay, but I promise that I'll do anything," he said, his voice sounding small, lost. Everything about him seemed like a contradiction, his voice soft and his words loving even as Derek's physical presence was strong and forceful.

Maia looked down at her hands and shaking her head, "I don't know Der, I really don't. There's nothing to be done to make something like this right."

"Nothing? Nothing to say or do," Derek asked, sounding skeptical as he looked at his wife. It felt as if she had no will to live, as if she didn't want try and fix what had happened to them. Derek knew that she was upset, that she was feeling lost- he felt her pain and all he wanted to do was soothe her hurt, to make it all go away.

"Derek, I can't even look at you for seeing our son…"

The next few weeks were hell in their home with Maia withdrawing into herself and Derek only wanting to have her there at all times. He had tried unsuccessfully to pull her out of her depression, but she couldn't stand to look at him, to have him touch her and most of her nights were spent getting in touch with her wolf, the only solace she truly sought. It was her wolf that made Maia get ready to walk out on Derek, he husband finding her standing naked at the back door. "I can't take it anymore, being without him, being in this… skin. Its not who I am anymore," she whispered, Derek moving behind her.

"So you'd walk away from me Maia? From everything we built-"

"Everything that we had died in my arms," she screamed at him, her wolf snarling underneath her words. Derek moved forward and snarled back, finally allowing himself to be angry. He'd tried not to lash out at Maia but he couldn't take it anymore, "This is not the time to run away from me: its time to grieve! And I need you here with me-"

Maia's voice was cold when she spoke, her eyes glowing amber. "That's the exact thought I had as she was ripping me apart.."

Derek wasn't even aware of his arm moving, but the resounding crack and the turn of Maia's head was definitive evidence that he had slapped her. He'd never acted towards her in anger or violence and Maia felt her stomach drop, dread pooling low in her stomach. She had pushed Derek in ways that she should never had, knowing that he was far gone. He stepped back away from her as Maia stroked her cheek, a cold look on his face. "If you're going to leave, go," he said coolly, something flickering in the depths of his eyes. She wanted to reach out, jump forward and apologize, but he had stepped from within the reach of her arms, turning from her completely. Derek disappeared into the house, leaving Maia to contemplate her options.

She returned later that night and walked upstairs quietly, standing outside their bedroom door for long moments before Derek came to pull it open. He stared at her naked form and sniffed self-consciously, "You want to come in?" Maia nodded almost indecipherably and Derek extended his hand, attempting to tame his tell as she wrapped her fingers around his. She stood nervously in front of the bed as he found her an oversized tee shirt, Maia swallowing as he held it out to her.

"No," she whispered, her resolve steadying at the realization that the one person she truly couldn't live without was standing in front of her.

Derek stepped up to her and fisted his hand in the hair at the nape of her neck, the other pressing in the small of her back to hold her closer. "He's gone Maia… he's gone, but I'm still here. I'll always be here," he said quietly, his breath hot on her face. She was intoxicated by his presence, the flash that they might still have a chance for their family one day crossing her mind. "Promise me Derek."

He leaned down and captured her lips in a passionate kiss, his face full of pain, "I promise."