She was parked to the side, and Jason didn’t even notice her until he was pulling into the garage. His car slammed to a halt as he stared at her car. He turned off the ignition to his Mercedes, leaving it half outside the garage and rushed over to her door. He opened it and asked urgently, “Claire, what’s wrong? Did something happen to your mother?”

In the dim light of the car, Claire could make out the tight grooves around his mouth. His beautiful blue eyes seemed so much duller than the last time they’d been together. She reached up and ran her finger down the side of his face, feeling the familiar angles, committing it to memory once again. Jason caught her hand and shook it slightly as if afraid she was in shock. “Baby, what’s going on? Talk to me!”

As if a dam has broken, tears poured from her eyes as she said, “Everything is ok, I needed to see you.”

Suddenly, Claire could see his face take on a guarded expression. “Claire, just go home. I can’t do this again.”

As he started to straighten and pull away from the car, Claire grabbed his hand and said, “I love you Jason.”

Jason pulled back from her, shaking his head. “You’re killing me, please just go home.”

Jason walked away from her towards the door in his garage leaving his car still half out of the garage. Quickly getting out of her car, Claire caught up with him as he was unlocking the door. “Jason,” She began, “I know you have been going to see my mother every evening; I know she told you about my father.” Claire waited for his reaction as his shoulders stiffened. As he turned slowly around, Claire was taken aback by the desperate sadness and longing she saw on his face.

“Claire, I’m sorry; I know now that I did everything wrong with you. By loving you so much I turned into everything you’d ever feared. I wanted to take all your pain away, and instead I only gave you more. I drove you away, and I know you will never trust me again, you will always think I’m like him.”

Claire put her finger to his lips to stop the flow and wrapped herself around him. He stood in her embrace, still and resistant. She gently laid her lips against his and whispered, “I love you; you’re everything I ever wanted and was afraid I would never find.”

Beautiful blue eyes searched hers and he couldn’t miss the love pouring from them. Then crushing her in his embrace, he pressed his lips against hers as they shared a tender kiss full of love and promise. Some minutes later, Jason pulled back, his breathing rapid. “Claire, I love you so much and I’m sorry for everything. Please put me out of my misery and marry me because I can’t make it without you. I promise to try to control the urge to solve all your problems. I love you desperately so please be gentle with me if I stumble occasionally.”

Looking up at the man that she loved so much, Claire said, “I would love to marry you but do you think we could go inside now before I rip your clothes off right here?” Never had Claire been pulled through a door in such record time.

One Year Later

Claire was smiling as she walked into her husband’s arms. After a quick kiss, anxious blue eyes searched her face. Claire had been sick on and off for the last few weeks and unable to kick the stomach bug making its rounds. Finally, Jason insisted on her going to the doctor. Despite his protests, she went alone assuring him that he didn’t need to leave work to go with her. Claire knew how hard Jason worked to overcome his constant need to take care of her, and she realized it had been sheer torture for him not to accompany her today.

“Baby, what did the doctor say?”

With her best serious expression, Claire said, “Well, he said that I should be fine… in about eight more months, that is.” Seeing the look of confusion and fear in his eyes, Claire took his hand and gently lowered it to her stomach.

The confusion started to clear, and his eyes lit up with joy. Swinging her up in his arms, he said, “A baby?”

“Yep, Mr. Danvers, all that overtime you have been putting in lately um… in the bedroom has really paid off.”

He rubbed her stomach gently and said, “I love you Mrs. Danvers.” He then put her aside and started to leave the room. “I need to get started on planning our little one's future right away.” Mouth hanging open, Claire looked at him, not believing her ears. He looked back at her and started laughing. “I’m sorry baby; I couldn’t resist. I promise, no planning, unless we’re both in on it.”

Claire swatted his arm and said, “You’re so bad. Now, how about we take a walk on the beach and tell our neighbors the good news?”

With his arm around her, Jason carefully led her down the path to the beach; as if afraid she would break. Lights twinkled from a newly built house in the distance. Soon, they were approaching a house very similar in design to their own, only a smaller version.

Jason held her hand and assisted her up onto the back deck. Through the glass door, Claire saw a smiling Louise coming, her mother not far off her heels. “Hey you two, just in time for dinner, I made a big pot of spaghetti.”

Claire was amazed at everything that had happened in the last year. Her mother still had limited use of her left arm, but her speech had improved so much that the computer was no longer necessary to help her talk. Since being taken off all the medication that she’d not needed in the first place her ‘bad days’ seemed to be a thing of the past. She went to a therapist weekly and although the memories of the abuse she’d suffered would always be there, they were no longer controlling her life.

Jason had offered to design and build a house for her mother and Louise. He asked them what they wanted and their answer… one just like theirs except smaller, and that was exactly what they got. Louise had invited Janet to live with them too, but she had a new boyfriend and was suddenly happy living alone again. Her mother was glowing now and looked ten years younger.

Another person walked in from the kitchen trailing her mother. Jason stepped forward, hand extended and said, “Tom, good to see you again. Making a lot of house calls lately aren’t you?” The older man laughed as he shook Jason’s hand and gave Claire a hug. Her mother and Dr. Mauldin had grown close during her hospital time, but a relationship had only started when they met again a few months ago in the grocery store.

Like her mother, he was also a widower, and they found they had many similar interests. He was now a regular visitor and Claire suspected there might be more good news soon. Her mother made it clear though that no matter what happened, she and Louise were a package deal, and that would never change. As they all walked to the dining room and were seated, Jason lifted her hand and kissed it. “Claire and I have some exciting news.”