Mia always considered her self a strong woman, though physically she was always on the thin side. Whenever someone looked down on her, whether for her skin color or her gender, she would just brush it off and continue on her way. After all, what did the opinion of strangers matter compared to the love of her family and her devoted husband? When Norman disappeared, things only got more difficult. Rumors were running rampant how he had run off with someone else, but Mia knew in her heart it wasn't true.

So she pressed on, working as a cleaning woman to get the money she needed to raise her children. It was hard, but she never let that keep her head high. Even when everyone dragged Norman's name through the mud, Mia never let herself waver for a moment. She never stopped assuring her children that her husband had been a good and loving man, even when she knew they stopped believing her.

Mia always considered herself a strong woman, but standing in front of the Stein household, Mia found herself feeling far more anxious and fearful than she ever had.

It had all started with a phone call, one from Henry Stein. He had introduced himself and explained how not only had once worked with Norman, but he had information on his current whereabouts. She had been shocked at first and then demanded to know more. But Henry had refused to explain more, saying it was better to tell her in person. Mia was skeptical, but she was determined to learn the truth.

Now here she was about to learn the truth and she wasn't sure if she wanted it. She believed still in her heart that Norman loved her, but there was a part of her that was afraid that she was about to learn he had left her for someone else. There was also the very strong possibility that she was about to learn Norman was dead and Mia didn't know which would be worse. Taking a deep breath to steady her nerves, Mia knocked on the door.

"Hello, you must be Norman's wife," Linda greeted when she opened the door, inviting Mia into the house. "Come sit down, Henry will be here in a moment."

"Do you know what happened to my husband?" Mia asked as the two women went to the living room and sat down on the couch.

"Yes…" Linda hesitantly confirmed. "But it's better if you hear it from Henry."

Mia was frustrated with the answer but waited as Henry came in only a moment later. After making sure Mia was comfortable, Linda left the two alone to talk.

"The first thing you need to know is that Norman is alive… let me finish," Henry began, stopping Mia when she was about to ask Henry for more info. "He wasn't able to get back to you because he was trapped until recently. And he's been…changed… by what he went through."

"Why are you being so vague?" Mia questioned. "My husband has been missing for several decades, just tell me where he is and what happened!"

"It's better if you see for yourself," Henry sighed and gestured towards the doorway. A moment later, a creature stumbled inside. It was human-shaped, and mostly black and white, with a projector for a head with wires from the projector connected to other parts of his body. Even without Henry saying anything, Mia knew this creature was her husband. The way he held himself, how he kept looking at her but tried to avoid her gaze, Mia could recognize him anywhere. Mia didn't hesitate, she went up to him and embraced him.

"Oh Norman," Mia said, holding him closely. "I knew you were still alive."

"Mia," Norman's said, his voice coming through the speaker on his chest, as he wrapped his arms around Mia. They just stood there holding each other for a long time, only occasionally whispering each other's names.

"Norman… what happened to you?" Mia eventually asked, only pulling back enough to look him in the face.

"It's a long story…" Norman replied, leading her back to the couch. Norman and Henry began to explain a fantastic story to Mia, one full of ink, transformation, and magic. One about a world of ink created by a machine, trapped within a time loop of suffering. It seemed unbelievable, but Norman's new form proved that it was true. And occasionally during the story, Mia would see white faces with pie cute eyes peeking around the corner.

"I'm glad you're still alive," Mia said, holding Norman close once they finished. "And I'm so sorry you had to go through all that. Do you think you're ready to come home?"

"Not yet…" Norman replied. "It was a big step just letting Henry call you… I don't think I'm ready to go back to my old home… or to face our children yet… And it's not just about me…"

Mia smiled as she looked at her husband, even after all he had been through he still had his big heart. People always think that his quiet and aloof nature meant he didn't care, but he did care and would look out for those around him. She wasn't surprised that Norman tried to stop Joey when he figured out what was going on, and that was why Joey sacrificed him to the ink. And now he cared for all the traumatized toons he now lived with and he didn't want to leave them.

"Then I'll just have to move down here…" Mia concluded.

"What!?" Norman said in shock.

"Obviously it's going to be a lot of work," Mia continued easily. "It'll take me a few months to get things packed and I'll need to sell the house, plus finding a place down here. But after all these years, I don't want to have to spend more time away from you then I have to. I loved you Norman and I still do with all my heart."

"I love you too," Norman replied, embracing Mia. What did he ever do to deserve such a wonderful woman?

They talked for a while longer, Mia eventually getting introduced to the toons and Sammy. Mia immediately loved all the toons and understood why Norman didn't want to leave them.

"Are you sure you don't want to stay for the night?" Linda asked as Mia got ready to leave. "It really isn't a problem."

"No, I have a lot I need to do," Mia replied. "I want to get things started for my move and I'll be visiting as often as I can. Thank you so much for freeing my husband and helping him recover."

"Of course," Henry replied. "He's a good man and no one deserves what Joey did to them."

"I love you, Mia," Norman said, hugging Mia one last time. "I always have…"

"And I always will…" Mia replied, kissing the side of Norman's head. Mia then said goodbye, promising to return as soon as she can. Norman watched her go with joy in his heart. Even after all this time, with how much they had both changed, they still loved each other deeply. Though they had a lot of time to make up, Norman was looking forward to spending it with her.