Chapter 33

Martha lay, her head resting on Jack's chest. He brushed his fingers through her hair. He wanted to talk to her, but he couldn't seem to find the right words. He knew that at one time, she loved Justin and he understood that she was saddened by his death. He just wanted to be there for her. She gently lifted her head and looked at him. "Thank you for being so good to me" she smiled. He ran his fingers through her hair. "You know I love you don't you?" he said. This time she had no worries. She lifted her body up and sat parallel to him, holding his hand in hers. "I love you too" she replied. He didn't have to speak, but she could tell how happy he was. He sat up and met his eyes with hers. "I'm always going to be here. You know that, don't you?" he asked. She smiled.

"Yeh, I know"

"I want this to be a fresh start, Martha. We've been through so much, we deserve some happiness" he said, seriously. "I don't want to have to live in Justin's shadow, or have to worry that things are going to go wrong. I want us to take things slowly. Enjoy our time together. Just me, you and our baby" he said. She felt tears well up in her eyes. It was clear he was there to stay. "We have to make this work Jack. I can't screw things up. Not now I'm going to have a baby" she said. He nodded.

"I know. We won't. We'll be a perfect little family. I don't care what other people might think or say, you are my family. Both of you" he said. Martha smiled at him, struggling to hold back her tears. This time, and for what felt like the first time in weeks, they were happy tears. She pulled his arms tightly around her, and secured her head gently back on his chest. There was a silence in the room. One that was peaceful and relaxed. She looked back up to the man besides her. He was perfect. Like a fairytale, they were together again, the way it should be.

Noticing her looking at him, he kissed her forehead again. She wrapped her arms gently around his body and slowly closed her eyes. She didn't know what the future held but she knew one thing:

Maybe everything was going to be all right after all.