Taylor had a hard time sleeping that night. Everything her mom had told her about Mike kept re-playing in her mind- listen to him….talk to him…follow your heart. And then she was worried about her dad. Steven had been a part of the fire department for a long time and obviously worried about him before. But of course Taylor trusted her dad, and knew he knew his way around a fire.

Sighing, she rose out of bed and began a pot of coffee in the kitchen. Maybe her mom was right. Taylor was feeling miserable and knew she had to talk to Mike more in order for her to feel better. Once the coffee was done, she poured herself a cup and grabbed her cell phone. Just as Taylor began dialing an all familiar number, a dark car pulled into the driveway. She frowned, considering it was only 7 am. Then, the two men who came out of the car were both dressed in firemen dress uniforms. Taylor's stomach began to turn in knots.

"Mom," she called.

Just as Janet was coming down the stairs, the doorbell rang. Taylor opened it, revealing the two gentlemen out of the car. Janet's eyes widened, the two men were Steven's bosses, Mark and Tim.

"Guys, what's the matter?" Janet asked quietly. "Please tell us."

The two men exchanged looks. "Janet, Taylor…we have some bad news. Part of the roof collapsed at the factory late last night. I'm sorry, but Steven didn't make it."

Taylor's jaw dropped as Janet held on to the wall, sobbing. "I don't understand," Taylor began, "Daddy is a captain. He always told me that he looked at building plans and directed firefighters," she said, tears starting to form. "What happened?"

"The smoke and fire was so thick in that factory," the man with short brown hair started. Taylor quickly learned that it was Tim. "Two other firefighters got separated from the group and radio in to your dad. I tried to stop him, but he went in after the lost firefighters. The beams buckled from the roof, and the roof collapsed. We sent in a search party for all three, and they were found a few hours ago."

Meanwhile across town, Mike was packed and ready for the next road trip with the WWE. He really didn't want to go, especially leaving his relationship in the state it was in. As he brought his luggage downstairs, he groaned as pain shot up his back. He fell asleep in his recliner and slept in a strange position for most of the night. As he packed the car, he decided to see Taylor one more time, and had hopes in talking with her.

The drive over there went fairly fast, and as he got no answer after knocking, he sadly sighed. "Come on Taylor, I just want to talk," he called.

A moment later, the door opened, but it wasn't Taylor. Mike frowned when Melissa answered the door. "Melissa what are you doing here?"

"I am here getting a few things for my friend. What are you doing here?" she asked, crossing her arms.

"I need to talk to Taylor. Can I please come in?"

"No," Melissa said.

Mike sighed. "Come on Mel. I don't have a lot of time. Can I please come in & talk to my wife?"

"You can't come in because she isn't here. That's why I am here picking up some stuff for her."

"Where is she?"

"Even if I did tell you where she was, it would not be a good time to talk. You should try again after you get home next week," Melissa said sadly.

Mike frowned. "What's going on?"

"I'm not sure if I should tell you-"

"Do I have to beg Melissa?" Mike asked. "Just tell me what is going on."

Melissa sighed and took a deep breath. "There was a big fire in San Francisco yesterday, and Taylor's dad got called to help. He died in the fire early this morning. Everyone is at Janet's house now."

"Oh no," Mike said as he ran his hand over his hair. "I have to see her," he said, turning in the other direction.

When Mike parked across the street, there were already a few cars, and people coming in and out of the house. Before getting out himself, he grabbed his cell phone. "Nic, hey its me," he said once the call was answered. "I need you to do me a favor."

"Do you want me to tell Vince your father-in-law passed?"

Mike smirked. "Melissa must have told you we talked. Yes, tell him what is going on and if he needs anything, he can just call me. I'm not leaving Taylor after this happened."

"That's probably a smart idea dude. Don't worry, I'll relay the message."

"Thanks man," Mike said as he hung up.

Another couple walked out of the house as Mike neared the door, so he just allowed himself to walk inside the house. He instantly looked into the living room and could see Taylor's mom looking at some pictures with another woman.

He knocked on the wall. "Hello Janet."

She turned, and smiled toward her son-in-law. "I'm glad to see you here," she said as they hugged.

"I am so so sorry," he whispered.

"Thank you. He passed away trying to save two men. He was always my hero and this just solidifies it," Janet said wiping away a stray tear. She then turned toward the woman. "Lynn, I don't think you've met Mike- Taylor's husband. Mike this is my sister, Lynn."

"Pleasure to meet you," he smiled as Lynn nodded in return. "Speaking of Taylor, do you know where I can find her?"

Janet nodded. "She is out on the porch. I'm sure she'll be glad to see you. She really hasn't wanted to see anyone all day."

Mike nodded, and went in the direction of the back porch. He opened the french sliding doors out of the kitchen and turned toward his left, toward the patio set. Taylor had her back toward him, running her manicured nail over the rim of her coffee mug. He watched as she picked up her phone, and started dialing a number. Both of them jumped when they heard Mike's ringtone begin to play.

"Hey," he softly smiled.

"Hi," she replied. "W-What are you doing here? How did you know?"

Mike shrugged as he walked toward her. "I was on my way to the airport and decided to see you before I left. Melissa told me. Baby, I am so sorry."

Taylor smiled before breaking down, and Mike instantly took her into his arms. "Shh, it's ok baby I'm here. And I am not going anywhere," he reassured, running his hands through her hair.

Breaking the embrace a little, Taylor looked into the eyes of her husband. "Your not leaving? Your staying?"

Mike nodded. "Yea. I've already left a message with Vince. This is more important, and wouldn't be anywhere else."

It was then that her mom's words from the previous night came to mind: he may have caused the pain, but I needed him to make the pain go away. And in that moment, Taylor knew exactly how her mom felt. Because that was how she was feeling at that moment. "I love you," she finally voiced, just above a whisper.

Even though Taylor couldn't see it, Mike smiled as he hugged his wife tighter. "I love you too Taylor. You have no idea how much I love you. And I am so sorry for everything."

Taylor broke the embrace, and cupped Mike's face. "I know your sorry, but I really don't want to talk about that this weekend. There is going to be so many people coming and going, and I just want to get through the visitation and funeral. After all of that is said and done, then we can talk. And this time, I promise I am going to listen. But I just…I want things normal for now. I need things normal right now," she explained as more tears escaped her brown eyes.

Mike nodded, enveloping Taylor in a hug again. "We can be normal right now. Anything you need, I will do," he said, kissing her temple.

Then, without warning, Taylor lightly pressed her lips to Mike's. Without a doubt, he kissed her back and for Taylor- it felt like she found her way back home. "I've missed being home with you," she said once the kiss was broken.

"It hasn't been home without you in it," he replied.

Throughout the rest of the day, the house filled with different visitors giving their condolences. Steven's side of the family made their way to the house, as well as other neighbors, friends and family members. Also, some firefighters came by with Steven's personal possessions from his locker and other materials. But it comforted Taylor during everyone she talked to, that Mike wasn't too far behind.

It was late in the night, and after Janet had gone to bed, Taylor went in search of her husband. When she found him in the kitchen washing dishes, she smiled to herself. "You didn't have to do that," she finally said after a moment.

Mike looked over his shoulder and smirked. "It's no problem baby. I'm happy to help."

Taylor nodded as she began drying and putting the dishes away. "And I also want to say…thank you. Thank you for not going on the road, thank you for being here with me, just…thank you for everything," she stated as tears formed in her eyes.

Saying nothing, Mike dried his hands and wrapped his arms tightly around Taylor. "You don't need to thank me," he whispered, still holding on tightly.

Unbeknown to the couple, Janet had originally come down for a drink of water, but stopped when she saw the interaction. "Good," she said out loud before turning in the opposite direction. "It's a start."