After another week, Camille realized that she could no longer stand by and watch this current situation. It was bad enough that she was constantly homesick for her little family, but even worse was the fact that her mother sat in this hospital room from day to day and night after night, in the bizarre hope that her husband would wake up soon. And that's exactly what Camille wanted to change now. In the early evening, she packed up her needed things. Before she left the hotel and made her way to the hospital, she sent Logan a text.

Even if it sounds strange, but I need a clear mind tonight, no distractions. So please do me a favor and don't send me any texts and don't call me. Because if you do, I may not be able to get through this night.

His answer was short but loving:

No matter what happens, I'm here for you.

That evening, Camille's mother was also sitting in the hospital room. Camille entered slowly, they hadn't spoken since their first meeting. "Mom . . . It can't go on like this. We need to change something."

"Since when do you care if we need to change anything?"

"I'm worried about you. You need a break, you need to clear your mind. You don't help Dad if you neglect yourself. And he wouldn't want you to sacrifice yourself so much for him."

"Really? Would you say Logan wouldn't want that either?"

"For sure."

"Would that stop you from doing the same thing as I do? If it was Logan lying here, wouldn't you want to stay with him all the time? Especially since he can wake up at any moment."

This was the worst thing for Camille. The fact that her mother was actually convinced that her husband would wake up in the next moment. The doctors had a different opinion by now, and they had told Camille and her brothers about it. They had also tried to talk to Camille's mother, but she wouldn't admit it and continued to refuse to leave the hospital.

"Mom . . ." Camille tried again. "Maybe he won't-"

"Besides, he can't be here alone. Someone must be with him when he wakes up."

Camille took her chance. "Mom, that's why I'm here. I'm going to take care of him tonight. You can go home, rest, and tomorrow morning you can come right back. But please take this break, Mom. After all, we don't want both of our parents to perish."

"You want to stay here?" her mother asked in surprise. "After everything he-"

Camille shrugged. "He's still my dad."

"I didn't think you'd care . . ."

"Mom, if I didn't care, I'd already be back in California, or wouldn't have come here in the first place. But I am here, and if you don't want to do this favor for me or the boys, then at least do it for Dad."

Camille took quite a while to convince her mother, but finally she found herself alone in the room, with no other sounds than the beeping and humming of the devices and her father's breathing. She sat down on the chair next to the bed and took time to look at her father's face. How could this have happened? Not only the accident, but . . . just everything that had happened in the last few years. Camille knew what she had to do, but strangely enough, she felt anxious at that very thought. Still, that's the only reason she'd come here. She took a deep breath before she began to speak, her eyes fixed on his face.

"I bet you didn't think I'd ever come back, did you? All this drama between us could have been avoided. And maybe you think that all the good times have been forgotten, but that's not true. Sometimes I wish I had forgotten them, because that would make the pain more bearable. But I can't forget these times, these memories and I don't want to. Dad . . ." She hesitated for a moment. "We . . . we were so close. You were always my role model, my rock. I remember how I always sat on your shoulders as a little girl, I was never afraid to fall because I knew you would hold me. I always looked up to you, idolized you. Sure, you could be strict, but you were always fair. And you supported me when no one else did, you believed in me, told me that I had what it took to become anything I wanted. And when I was scared or sad, you were there, cheered me up, took away my fear. And whenever I rushed too far ahead, you were there to bring me back down to earth. You always looked out for me, showed me the right way. And I loved you, Dad." She didn't notice how the tears rolled down her cheeks. "But then everything was destroyed. From the day Logan came into my life, you've changed. And I had hoped that one day you would realize how great he is. I wished so much that you would see how much I love him and that you would accept him because he makes me happy. You always wanted me to be happy, but you just couldn't jump over your shadow and started hating him. You've had so many chances, but you've always been too stubborn to take them. And then, on that one day, you managed to destroy all my dreams and wishes. You have spoken words that I will never forget . . ."

She ran down the halls, her father's words haunting her mind, tears running down her face. People stared at her, but they didn't say anything, assuming she was practicing for a new part, not knowing that these tears were real this time. Real, and full of pain. And there was only one person in the entire Palm Woods who would be able to make those tears go away. Until now, there had always been two people, but this had changed now. Finally, she reached the door and stormed in. Kendall and Carlos sat on the couch playing video games, Katie helped her mom do the dishes, and James and Logan sat at the counter eating sandwiches. But the cheerful mood vanished instantly when Camille showed up. Everyone stared at her, but she only had eyes for Logan. She moved towards him, at the same moment as he slid down from his stool to receive her. And then she was in his arms, pressing her head against his chest, letting the tears run wild. In the background, she heard Carlos ask, "What's going on? Is she practicing again?"

Then Kendall could be heard hushing him. Logan's hand stroked her back reassuringly, his voice was in her ear, "What happened?"

"My father . . ." was all she could get out before the tears came back and she couldn't do anything but cry for another few minutes. But at some point the tears dried up, and she took a deep breath of his scent before she looked into his warm, brown eyes, and into the face she loved so much, and which was now furrowed with concern for her.

"We . . . we had a fight, a really bad one, worse than anything before. And he . . . he said . . . no, he forced me to . . . to choose between him . . . and you."

Before Logan could reply, Carlos asked, "So? Who did you choose?"

"Carlos!" Kendall and Katie said aloud. Before a heated discussion could take place, Logan took Camille's hand and led her into his and Kendall's room, closed the door behind them and locked it so that the others wouldn't think of disturbing them. Then he led her to his bed, sat down and gently pulled her onto his lap. She snuggled up to him, felt exhausted and tired, closed her eyes.

"You know if you don't want to tell me, you don't need to. And if you don't want me to ask, then I won't. But . . . just tell me one thing, because I'll go crazy if I don't know. This . . . this isn't . . . a goodbye, is it?" The fear in his voice was all too clear. She opened her eyes and looked at him for a long time before putting her arms around his neck. "I could never decide against you. I love you." She kissed him, and he kissed her back, but only for a brief moment before he reluctantly asked, "And your . . . your dad?"

A shadow fell over her face, and she looked down. "I . . . I don't know if anything can ever be okay again . . ."

Logan pulled her into a warm hug. "It can, and it will. You'll see."

"It's just . . . right now, I don't feel able to face the truth, to deal with reality. I just want to forget about it . . . at least for a while." Her hands stroked his shoulders, shaking slightly.

"What can I do?"

She gave him a weak smile. "You can love me."

"Always do, always will," he said softly, putting a hand to her cheek, kissing her. A kiss that promised her the longed-for break from reality that she needed so much.

Later, they lay on his bed, cuddling. Her head was resting on his chest, and she listened to his heartbeat, his breathing. "He will be gone by tomorrow," she said quietly.

"He's leaving you behind?"

She nodded. "His words were very clear."

Logan sat up a little. "What did he say to you?"

She looked at him, wondering if she should tell him. Finally she leaned forward and whispered in his ear the words she had sworn never to say out loud. His eyes widened with shock and sympathy, and when she was done, he pulled her into his arms, holding her tight. "I'm so sorry . . . Somehow I feel like it's all my fault."

"No, honey, it's not your fault, it's his alone."

"I will never forgive him for that."

She kissed the crook of his neck.

"Can you?" he asked quietly. "I mean, will you ever be able to forgive him?"

"I don't know," she answered honestly.

He ran his fingers through her curls. "Whatever happens, you can always count on me. I will always be by your side when you need me."

"Promised?" she asked, hating herself for how uncertain and fragile her voice sounded.

"Yes, I promise."

"At that time, Logan didn't know he was going to break his promise and make the exact same mistake you've already made twice. I couldn't understand it then, and I was so hurt because of him, but now I understand his motives. We both behaved terribly, and we both regret the mistakes we made to each other. But you? Have you ever regretted your decisions towards me? Or were your hatred and disappointment always greater than your insight? For so many years I wondered what your motives were, why you could never accept him. So long have I tried to understand it . . . And now I know, Dad. I finally understand. But that doesn't make things any easier. Logan asked me at the time if I would ever be able to forgive you. And today I'm here to tell you . . ." New, hot tears filled her eyes. "Dad . . . I . . . I can't forgive you. I'm sorry, but one part of me will always be broken. And I owe it to Logan and our friends that I didn't completely break down because of it. I still love you, Dad, and I don't want to lose you, but that doesn't change the fact that I can't forgive you. The fact that you rejected me is one thing, that you didn't show up for my wedding broke my heart, but what finally became too much for me is the fact that you were never interested in your grandchildren. Not because you don't get along with them – you'd have to get to know them first – no, the only reason you avoid them is because they're Logan's kids. And that's why I'm so grateful for Logan's parents, who show so much love and devotion to the children, even though I have also made mistakes, and they should actually despise me for it. But they don't, they accept me as a member of their family, appreciate me. Everything you could never do to Logan and our children. I wonder if you will ever make your peace with your decisions, or do you regret them, and are just too stubborn to admit it? Maybe I'll never find an answer to that, maybe we'll never be able to talk about it. But at least I made my peace with my past tonight, Dad, and from now on I won't look back. Still, I will never forget our happy memories, just wish there would be more of them. I hope Mom is right, and you will recover. I will stay here tonight, I promised her and myself. But I can't say what will happen after that."

Camille had dozed off and when she woke up, she was confused, and when she finally realized where she was, she began to feel lonely. Her neck and back hurt from the chair and the uncomfortable position she had taken while sleeping. Without really thinking about it, she took her phone and texted Logan.

It's done.

She knew that it could take a while before he would answer. He had probably been asleep for a long time and wouldn't notice her text until much later. But as usual, he surprised her.

I'm proud of you. Are you okay?

She hesitated with her answer, not wanting to worry him.

No . . . but I will be.

I wish I could do more for you. It tears me apart that I can't be with you.

But, honey, you are. Right now, in this very moment.

But that's not enough. I want to hold you, cuddle with you, want to be close to you again.

Soon, my love.

Come home, Cami. We need you.

I can't . . . Not yet. Give me another week, okay? If nothing has changed by then, I'll come home. Is that acceptable for you?

No . . . But I guess I have no other choice.

I'll make up for it.

You don't need to do that. After all, it was my idea to tell you to fly over.

Fine, then I'll thank you for your wise advice instead.

I don't think that's an advice you should thank me for.

Do you know what I would do now if you told me that in person?

Tell me.

I would put my arms around you, kiss you, and tell you to shut up in a very sweet and charming way, of course.

You just actually managed to put a quick smile on my face.

That's what I was going for.

I should have known.

Logan?

Yes?

Please tell me that everything will be okay.

Everything will be okay, you'll see.

Promised?

Yes, I promise. I love you.

And I love you.