The next afternoon Gabriella shuffled through her kitchen in her yoga pants and robe. Her frumpy attire a direct reflection of how she felt. She'd done the dishes from breakfast and was now working on her laptop updating her resume.

Because she had a deep suspicion she was going to need it. The urge to cry was strong. But she couldn't. Not with the girls around. No. She refused to let them see her break down like that. She just prayed she wasn't doing something wrong. That her little girls wouldn't suffer for the things that she'd gotten wrong.

This whole thing was horrible and it seemed to affect everyone, like Troy wasn't the only one whom Gabriella was letting down by not being ready. But she just didn't feel strong enough. Maybe divorce was the only option. They could barely hold a conversation without fighting about something.

Her eyes blurred at the idea of it all. She tried to imagine what it would feel like to be divorced from Troy completely, for him to longer be her husband. She couldn't even imagine it.

She was in such a stupor that she didn't hear the knock on the door for a full minute, not until it was paired with the ringing doorbell. She jerked as she got out of her seat and raced to the door. Chad shouldn't be there for another two hours.

When she opened the door she stared back at Taylor who lifted a casserole dish. "Honey, he's an asshole."

"What?" Gabriella stared at the dish wrapped up with a towel.

"I heard about the towel to the face with Mr. Prescott. About Jason broken nose last night. I also filed your transfer papers this morning. It would appear that Jason's taking you off the Seymour project."

"But why…" Gabriella didn't finish the question since it should have been self-evident.

"Like I said, he's an asshole."

Gabriella had to close her eyes and look away so she wouldn't burst into tears. "Shit," she said, when she could make her voice work. "Come in, thanks for bringing lunch. I'm not in the mood to do much at the moment."

"I figured." Taylor made her way inside and Gabriella followed her into the kitchen and they proceeded to the do the normal things like finding a place in the refrigerator for the casserole, Gabriella heated up water in the kettle for tea.

After a moment they settled.

"How are the girls?"

Gabriella shrugged, "They're fine for now." Gabriella shook her head as she stirred her tea. "I can't figure out what I hate more that everyone is going to know, or that they're going to know it's my fault."

"Know what?"

"That I gave up on my marriage. That I hurt Troy and the girls."

There was a long pause before Taylor responded. "I don't think anyone can say that you gave up on your marriage. It's been well over a year, and you're still trying to make it work."

"Am I?" Gabriella admitted, feeling a familiar burning in her cheeks. "I gave up last night. I just couldn't do it anymore. I'm just too …too tired. The break was supposed to help, but the tiredness didn't go away. We're still fighting."

"Of course you are," Taylor shook her head. "I can't pretend to know what you're going through. Zeke and I have had our issues, but I know it's not the same. I know that it can be tempting for people at a distance to judge others and assume that there's some easy obvious answer, but I know it's never that simple. So I'm not likely to have any advice worthwhile, but if you want someone to talk about it to, then you can talk to me."

Gabriella smiled in relief. A year ago she would have politely thanked the woman and said no. Ever since coming to Georgia she'd never felt like she'd fit in anywhere or found comfort in friends of her own. But now she knew better than that. "It's not him. It's me."

"What's you?"

"The real problem. I mean, he made mistakes for sure, but he's been working on them. I'm the one who can't seem to change enough. I … I just know I'm going to feel not good enough for him again."

Taylor who was obviously listening, sipped her tea she reflected on what was said. "Why wouldn't you be good enough?"

"I'm not the naïve housewife he married twelve years ago. That's the wife he wants. That's the woman I don't want to go back to and I feel like the moment I go back I'll just fall right back into that pattern."

"So don't let yourself."

"That's easier said than done." Gabriella leaned back in her chair. "It's not that I can't forgive Troy. Of course, I can forgive him, just like he's forgiven me. I'm just so tired. You know? I've always needed Troy so much and I've always felt not good enough for him. Even now, I feel not good enough because I'm not strong enough to be with him the way I should be."

Neither of them spoke for a couple of minutes after Gabriella had finished. She felt exposed, a little self-conscious, but not the way she normally did when something about her true self was revealed.

"It's never easy." Taylor reached her hand over to offer comfort. "Troy loves you. Your daughter's look up to you. You are a strong independent woman who doesn't have a dependent bone in her body and you know what?" Taylor smiled. "It's okay. If you ask me, I think that's what he loves most about you."

Gabriella smiled as well as she brought her cup up to her lips.

After Taylor left Gabriella began cleaning up and getting ready for Piper and Chad to stop by. She felt better than she had the morning. A little more hopeful. As a result she tried to maintain the spirit, her mind filled with thoughts of Troy. No matter how much she tried to be reasonable about expectations, she just couldn't stop herself from wondering what was going to happen next.

What was going to happen to all of them? Now that there was a possibility she'd be unemployed she might have to move back in with Troy. For the first time, she actually admitted to herself how much she wanted to be with him.

But could she be with him? Was she strong enough?

There was a knock on the door and Gabriella let out a sigh as she propped the broom against the wall nearby. Now what?

She pulled the door open not entirely sure who she was expecting to see on the other side and instantly gasped in horror when she came face to face with Peterson Prescott.

"Oh dear god."

"Good afternoon," he said with a small smile. "I was worried I didn't have the right address."

Gabriella quickly pulled the ends of her robe closed tightly as she could only imagine what she looked like. Some kind of puffy eyed zombie who probably had a frosted flake in her hair. Oh god this was horrifying.

"Did you remove yourself from my project because of last night's rag debacle?"

It seemed so long ago. Her mind rushed back to that moment the embarrassment flooding her face. "I-um. No. Actually I didn't remove myself from the project."

"Then?"

"Then," Gabriella repeated not sure what to say. Her mouth opened and she brought a hand up to gently rub at the back of her neck.

"Am I not paying you enough?"

Gabriella eyes widen as she let her hand fall, "No, the pay is fine."

"Is it your Husband?" Mr. Prescott smiled, "I know you two are currently separated but from the sound of last night I thought a reconcilement was on the horizon."

Gabriella cheeks flared at the reminder of just how much Mr. Prescott had overheard. "Well, no. My husband isn't the problem either?"

Mr. Prescott adjusted his cuffs as he eyed her cautiously, "Mrs. Bolton, I get the sense there's something you're not telling me."

"Mr. Cross transferred me because I won't sleep with him." It came out in a rushed breath. She wasn't even sure he'd understood it clearly with how quickly she uttered it. However after a moment the frown on his face clearly said he had.

"I see."

It was all he said. Gabriella pulled the ends of her robe shut a little tighter. "I'm sorry."

"No apology necessary," he said tucking his hands into his pockets. "At least not from you anyway. Tell me, is there anything I do at this time?"

Gabriella's hand came up to her throat, "My husband's already dealt with that aspect of it."

Mr. Prescott nodded in understanding. "With all due respect, I believe I can do little bit more." Reaching into his back pocket he retrieved his wallet and removed a card. "Here, consider yourself a free agent."

Hesitantly Gabriella took the card from him holding it close to her chest. "I'm not sure I understand."

"You work directly for me."

"Oh," That sounded breathless, but she couldn't help herself. "I- I'm not sure I know what to say."

"Well," Mr. Prescott tucked his wallet back into his pocket. "I'd hoped that the rumors that I'd heard coming from Mr. Cross's affairs were false. Apparently I should listen to my associates a little bit more when they gossip."

To that Gabriella had nothing to say.

Mr. Prescott however, obviously didn't have that problem. "I hope that you and your husband are alright. I can imagine this was trying on your relationship especially at a time like this, when you're both so vulnerable."

"Yeah," Gabriella let out a labored sigh, "It didn't help, that's for sure."

Mr. Prescott smiled again and reached for his wallet a second time. "Here," he said handing another card. "My wife and I have small get away that located not far from here. When we went through our little separation we spent a week up there. There's no internet, distractions or phone service." He nodded as she took the card. "My wife says I'm a workaholic."

"Oh I couldn't possibly-"

"Yes you can," he said obviously not a man who heard rejection. Ever. "You have supreme talent at restoration and a grave understanding of people and what they need. The work I've seen at Seymour is fantastic. I was going to hire Mr. Cross my future endeavors."

Gabriella looked up at him more than sure her mouth was hanging open.

"Call my secretary and make the arrangements. Take care of your family and then come back ready to work. I have a few more properties in mind for restoration and you and you're husband make quite the team. I'd love to get in contract with him as well."

Speechless Gabriella nodded as she now held two cards in her hand. "Thank you."

Mr. Prescott smiled and held up his hand offering a small wave. The act was so strange Gabriella made a face and turned to see both her girls standing in the living both watching this man in their doorway with wonder.

"Enjoy you're weekend ladies."

"Bye," her girls said in unison.

Gabriella smiled as she said her goodbyes as well and then closed the door. She looked down at the two card in her hands. She felt flushed, excited, overwhelmed and the only person she wanted to talk to was Troy. But he wasn't there.

Later that evening the girls were seated in front of the television watching a movie Piper had brought with her and Gabriella was at the kitchen counter with her laptop. When the doorbell rang Gabriella managed to overcome a flare of anxiety and get up to answer the door. Flooded with relief when Troy was on the other side.

Troy started at her. He wore a T-shirt and pair of blue worn out jeans with a rip in the left knee. His face was stretched far more than normal, dark shadows rested under his eyes and he looked like he hadn't slept at all. He looked terrible and wonderful and exactly like Troy. Every feeling and instinct in her body and heart reached out toward him in absolute need.

"Hey," he said in a low whisper.

"Hey," she replied just as softly.

"I'm sorry if I pressured you or tried to push you into something too fast."

"You didn't-"

Troy held up his hand to stop her. "I know I did. I was just so excited. I've wanted you back so much for so long that I wasn't thinking about how fast we were moving. But I promise I can be patient. I'll wait as long as you need. I love you, Gabriella. I know how hard it is. I know how tired we both are. But baby, I love you and nothing is ever going to change that."

"I'm the one that's sorry," she brought her hands up to her chest. "I resented you, because you had something that was yours and I felt like I had nothing."

"Baby-"

"No," Gabriella held up her hand this time. "Let me finish this." Gabriella glanced behind her as she eyes the three girls still gathered by the television. Quickly she motioned for him to take a step back and she joined him outside on the front steps, quietly half shutting the door behind her.

"For a long a while I thought I wasn't good enough for you."

"Stop it," Troy said with a warning in voice. "I want you to believe me one day. I want you to know for sure how strong you are and sweet and brave and beautiful you are to me." His hands came up to cup either side of her face so that he could hold her gaze.

"I do believe you," Gabriella raised her hands to cover his on her face and was momentarily blinded by tears. "I miss you so much."

"I miss you too."

Neither of them said anything for a moment. Troy's thumbs softly caressed her cheeks as he watched her carefully under the dim lighting of the front porch. "So…Is this the end of us or what?" He looked like someone had punched him in gut as soon as he said the words out loud.

"I love you, Troy." She said lowering his hands from her face and taking them both in hers. "I still love you. I never stopped either. And I know I'm too tired and not strong enough to fight all my old struggles, but I think the real fright has already been won. And the rest I don't have to do alone. I know that now."

Troy was quiet for a moment, "What does this mean?"

Gabriella brought a hand up to wipe at a stray strand of hair from her temple. "It means, you were right about Jason. He was a sleaze ball, and I just wanted a shot at something that was mine so bad I didn't care."

"That's not comforting."

Gabriella bit her lip. "I'm sorry I didn't listen to you."

"I'm sorry if I ever made you feel like you couldn't do something without resorting to something like that."

"I think I finally…" she paused for a moment as she rested her hands on his chest. "I think I finally see it. So I want to love you all the way. If you'll help me. If you'll do this with me. If we can really do this together."

When the words finally processed, he made another one of those strangled sounds and instantly wrapped his arms around her waist pulling her closer.

"I know we still have some work to do. I know we're never going to be perfectly fixed, so I need to stop expecting that. We can still go to counseling for a while, if that's okay with you. But I want to be your wife again. All the way. I want us to live together again. I love you and I want to talk to you all the time and I want to spend evening with you and make pancakes with you and the girls."

He was shuddering against her, beneath her hands. She'd never once in her life seen him like this. If she hadn't known it before, there was no way to deny it now. This man felt deeply. He loved her deeply. And all the depth and power of his passion and devotion was focused on her, was given to her.

Finally Gabriella pulled away from the hug he'd incased her in. "Maybe, if you want to talk about it some more we could go inside. And if you weren't busy tonight, maybe you could sleep over?"

"How does pancakes sound for breakfast," he said gently rubbing the small of her back.

"Amazing," Gabriella as she began to pull him inside.