Chapter 1

Kathleen Schwartz looks down at her three year old daughter and kisses her on the forehead.

"Goodnight, little monkey. Sweet dreams."

"Mommy?"

"What is it, Alexa?"

"How come you don't got any family?"

"Oh, sweetie, all I need is you. Nothing else is important. Daddy's gone now, baby, and we have to be here for each other. I love you."

"I love you, too, Mommy." Kathleen gives her daughter another kiss and leaves her bedroom. She sits on the couch and thinks about how things used to be when Michael was there. He had been there for her when she came to Albany four years ago. She was just a scared 16 year old girl and he took care of her. Now he was dead and all she had was her little Alexa. It has been one day since his death and she tries not to show her pain to her daughter. Alexa looks a lot like her father, which makes it harder. She has big brown eyes, beautiful brown hair that's just past her shoulders, and the sweetest smile. Kathleen falls asleep thinking about her precious angel and the past that she can't forget.

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"Morning, honey." Sam says to his wife as she comes down the stairs.

"How are you feeling this morning?" Ivy asks her adoring husband.

"I'm okay. I can't belive that Kay's been gone for four years. After she took off, I thought for sure we'd find her. But we still have no leads.
She's a grown woman now." Ivy wraps her arms around him and lays her head on his shoulder. The phone rings and Ivy answers it.

"Hello?"

"Ivy, it's Theresa. Turn on the tv." Theresa tells her mother-in-law.

"Ok, Theresa." Ivy grabs Sam's hand and takes him into the other room. She turns on the tv. "What's going on?"

"Turn it on channel 3 news and make sure Sam watches." Theresa hangs up and Ivy and Sam wait for the news to come back on.

"What's going on, Ivy?" Sam asks.

"I don't know. Theresa said to watch the news. Ok, it's on." Sam and Ivy watch intently.

We have just been notified that Governor Schwartz's youngest son died of cancer two days ago. He is survived by his wife, Kathleen, and their three year old daughter, Alexa. As Ivy and Sam continue watching, a picture of the Governor's son with his wife and daughter appears on the screen. They look at the screen in shock as Sam sees that the Governor's daughter-in-law is actually Kay.

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"Miguel, thanks for stopping by." Luis says as he opens the door.

"No problem, Luis. What did you need?" Miguel asks as he walks inside.

"I wanted to know if you could give this to Mama." Luis starts, handing him a picture. "I would give it to her myself, but I don't want to leave Sheridan alone with her due date so close."

"Luis! Come quick!" Sheridan yells. Luis and Miguel run into the family room.

"What's the matter, honey? Is it the baby?" Luis asks his wife.

"No, look at the television." Luis and Miguel look at the TV just in time to see a picture of Kay, her dead husband, and her little girl appear on the screen.

Chapter 2

Miguel continues staring at the TV screen in shock.

"Oh my God, it's Kay." He says to himself.

"I'm gonna call Sam." Luis says as he picks up the phone and dials his number.

"Hello?" Sam says as he answers the phone.

"Sam, it's Luis. I'm watching the news right now and you'll never guess who's on it."

"Kay. Ivy and I just watched. Thanks for calling."

"What are you going to do, Sam?" Luis asks his boss and friend.

"I don't know. I think I'm going to go down to Albany."

"That's a good idea. I'll talk to you later."

"Thanks, Luis. Bye." Sam hangs up the phone and sits down next to Ivy on the couch.

"I'm gonna go to Albany to see Kay. Maybe she'll come back with me." Sam tells her.

"Would you like me to go with you?" Ivy offers.

"I would love for you to come with, but Kay doesn't know anything about us. Her husband just died and she's going to be upset. Besides, you should probably stay here with Jessica and Lily."

"You're right. Just be careful, sweetheart."

"I will." Sam gives Ivy a kiss on the lips and then gets up to pack his things for his trip to Albany.

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"Why are we getting dressed up, Mommy?" Alexa asks her mother.

"Well, Alexa. Do you remember how Mommy told you that Daddy is in heaven with God now?"

"Yes."

"Well, today we're going to go say goodbye to him." Kathleen finishes dressing her daughter and then the two of them leave for the funeral.

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"I'm so sorry, Kathleen. I know how much you loved my son and how much he loved you and Alexa. If you need anything at all, let me know."

"Thank you. I will." Kathleen says as she hugs her mother-in-law. Everyone leaves the cemetary except for Kathleen and Alexa. Kathleen kneels by the fresh grave and begins to cry.

"Why are you crying, Mommy?" Alexa asks her.

"Oh, sweetie." Kathleen doesn't answer her daughter. Instead she hugs her as if she's afraid to let go. She stands up with Alexa in her arms and just stares down at her husband's fresh grave. Suddenly she feels a tap on her shoulder and she turns around, only to come face to face with her father.

"Oh my God! Dad." Kay is at a loss for words.

"Oh, Kay, I have missed you so much, sweetheart." Sam says as he pulls his daughter into a hug.

"I've missed you too, Dad. How did you find me?"

"The news. I am so sorry about your husband."

"Thank you. I am so glad that you're here. I'd like for you to meet your granddaughter, Alexa." Sam looks at the scared little girl in his daughter's arms and reaches his arms out to her. Alexa is reluctant at first, but then lets him pick her up.

"Hi Alexa. I'm you're grandpa." Alexa just stares at him, confused, and then gives him a hug. "Come with me, Kay. We have a lot to talk about."

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"Ethan. Theresa. What are you two doing here?" Ivy asks as she opens the door to her son and his wife.

"Well, I wanted to check and see how Dad was doing after he found out about Kay." Ethan answers.

"That was sweet of you. And just where is my grandson?" Ivy asks them as she lets them inside.

"We left Matt with Sheridan and Luis. So where is Dad?" Ethan asks.

"Actually, he decided to go to Albany and see Kay. He's hoping she'll come home with him."

"I hope she does. She was pretty upset when she left."

"Yes, she was. But her husband just died and she probably needs someone right now." Their conversation is interrupted by the sound of a baby crying.
Ivy goes into the other room and picks the baby up from the playpin. "Good morning, Lily. Did you sleep well?" Ivy says to her baby daughter.

"Mom, do you mind if Theresa and I wait here until Dad calls?"

"Of course I don't mind. Come on, let's make something to eat while we wait."

Chapter 3

Kay opens the door to her home and she, Sam, and Alexa go inside.

"Alexa, I think it's time for you to take you nap." Kay says as she picks up her daughter.

"Do I have to, Mommy?" Alexa whines.

"Yes you do. You've had a busy day. Come on sweetheart." Kay says as she begins to take her daughter into her room.

"Wait, Mommy. I gotta give grampa a hug fore I go night." Sam and Kay both smile and then Kay hands Alexa to Sam. "Night, grampa." She says as she hugs him.

"Goodnight, sweetheart." Sam hands Alexa back to Kay and she takes her to her room. Kay emerges from there after about 5 minutes and sits on the couch next to her father.

"You have a really great daughter."

"Thank you, Dad."

"I need to ask you something, Kay."

"What is it?"

"Why did you leave?" Kay puts her head down and remembers the day she left.

*Flashback*

"Kay, what's the matter?" Simone asks her best friend as she walks into the Youth Center gym to see her best friend crying.

"'It's Miguel. I told him how I felt and we had a huge fight." Kay says as she wipes the tears from her eyes.

"Oh, Kay. I am so sorry!"

"It was awful, Simone."

"Do you want to talk about it?" Simone sits down next to Kay.

"No. Nothing in my life is going right." Kay says as she starts to cry again.

"Sure it is. You have a lot of people around you that love you a lot."

"Like who, Simone? I mean, when it comes to things, I'm second pick in everyone's life. Miguel's, my parents, Jessica. Even in school plays. For once, I want to be first pick for someone. No one cares about me. Now I've lost Miguel forever and I have no one. I have to go." Kay says as she gets up and runs towards the door.

"Kay! Come back!" Simone yells. Kay just runs faster, all the way home. She notices that everyone is out, so she goes upstairs and pulls out an empty backpack. She puts clothes in it, takes money that she's saved for months, and walks downstairs and out of the house.

*End of Flashback*

"It's just that I thought that no one cared about me anymore. Ever since Charity had come back to town, everyone was fussing over her and I meant nothing."

"Listen to me, sweetheart, you have meant more to me than anyone ever can. You are my daughter and I love you with all my heart. Part of why you left is because you were in love with Miguel, isn't it?" Sam asks as he takes his daughter's hands in his.

"How did you know?"

"Simone told us after you left." Kay just puts her head down as she remembers the last time that she saw Miguel.

"I'm so sorry that I left, Dad, but I had to."

"Why did you have to, Kay?"

"Because nobody loved me." Kay says, barely above a whisper.

"Honey, that's crazy! I know that I loved you and I still do. There's not one day that goes by where I don't think about you and how much I love you."

"Thank you, Dad. I love you, too." Kay says, giving Sam a hug.

"I also know that you were upset about the way your mother treated you. I'm sorry that she did that to you." Kay looks up at him, confused as to why he's not sticking up for Grace.

"Dad, is there something that you're not telling me?"

"Actually, yes. Your mother and I divorced after you left."

"What happened?" Kay asks, in shock. She never thought that her parents would divorce.

"I noticed the way she treated Charity better than you, her own daughter, and I couldn't let her do that to Jessica, too. I know that she drove you away." Sam began. "It was also because she found out that I had a past relationship with Ivy Crane. Your mother turned into a cold, bitter woman consumed with jealousy. Then I found out that when Ivy and I were together years ago, we made a son: Ethan. I had never stopped loving Ivy. I just lied to myself in order to protect your mother and you kids. But when your mother's true color's were revealed, I couldn't hide it any longer. We got married two years ago and we have a 6 month old daughter, Lily."

"Wow, Dad. You have been busy! I have a new brother and sister!" Kay is happy that her father is happy and she has always liked Ivy Crane.

"Yes you do, and they're both great. Sorry to spring everything up on you like this." Sam says, feeling guilty.

"I am happy for you and Ivy. You deserve the best, Dad, and I believe that she can give it to you. What else has been going on?"

"A lot. Sheridan and Luis got married 3 years ago and they have a two year old son, Sean. She is excpecting a baby any day now. Theresa and Ethan also got married 3 years ago and they have a two year old son, Matt."

"What about---nevermind." Kay was going to ask about Miguel, but decides to back off.

"Miguel? Well, he and Charity broke up about 2 months after you left." Sam informs her.

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"Sheridan, Luis, what are you doing here?" Ivy asks as she opens the door.

"We wanted to be here while you wait for Sam to call." Luis tells her. "Well, come on in." Sheridan and Luis follow Ivy inside with little Matt and Sean, in tow. Matt and Sean were born within a week of each other. Sheridan and Theresa went through their whole pregnancy together.

"Hey there, Matthew. Would you like to give your grandma a kiss?" Ivy says as she picks him up off the ground. Ethan comes out of the kitchen followed by Theresa, who is carrying Lily.

"Any news on Kay?" Sheridan asks Ethan.

"No, Dad still hasn't called. I hope he gets her to come home."

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Miguel walks on the beach as he thinks of Kay. He remembers how badly things were when she left.

*Flashback*

"Kay, what has gotten into you lately? You seem distant." Miguel says.

"Gotten into me? What has gotten into you?" Kay is losing her patience with him. She is ready to tell him exactly how she feels.

"What are you talking about?"

"You and Charity. She's all you ever think about and she's all you care about. What happened to us, Miguel? We used to do everything together."

"There is no 'us' Kay. We're just buds. I mean, come on, Kay. I could never be with someone like you." Tears immediately rush to Kay's eyes. Her heart crumbles into a million unfixable pieces.

"Go to hell, Miguel! Don't you get it by now? I love you, and not just as a friend. I'm in love with you. I have tried for so long to get you to notice me, but nothing works. You just want Charity and nothing else matters. You don't care if you trample over anyone who gets in your way. Well, you can have Charity! As far as I'm concerned, our friendship is over. You and everyone else in this town prefers Charity instead of me, so you can all have your damn wish!" Kay doesn't wait for an answer. She immediately runs as fast as she can and lets the tears fall. Miguel just stands there, unsure of what to do. *End of Flashback*

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"So you'll come home with me?" Sam asks his daughter in a hopeful tone.

"Yes, Dad. Alexa and I will come home."

Chapter 4

"This is so great, Kay! You won't regret this!" Sam says as he hugs his daughter.

"I know I won't. It's about time I went home to face my fears of seeing everyone again." Kay says, thinking of Miguel.

"Why don't we start packing you up right now? I can't wait to take you and my precious granddaughter home with me."

"Ok. Let's start packing. We can leave for Harmony early tomorrow morning."

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Miguel walks over to the Bennett house, somehow drawn there. He knocks on the door and Sheridan answers.

"Hey, Sheridan. Any news on Kay?" Miguel asks in a hopeful tone.

"No, sorry. Why don't you come in. We're all waiting for Sam to call." Miguel walks inside.

"Where's Sam?"

"You haven't heard? He went to Albany to find Kay. He's hoping she'll come back with him." Miguel's face turns from gloomy to hopeful immediately.

"I sure hope she comes back with him." Luis, carrying Sean, comes into the family room and greets his younger brother.

"Hey, Miguel. Why don't you take your nephew so I can steal my wife away for a second." Luis says, handing Sean to Miguel.

"Sure, Luis." Luis pulls Sheridan over to the side.

"He's here about Kay, isn't he?" Luis whispers.

"Yes. I think he's in love with her."

"So do I. I just hope that they can work things out."

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The Bennett house is quiet. It was getting late and no one wanted to leave until they heard news about Kay, so Ivy let them all stay the night. Ivy gave her room to Sheridan and Luis, due to Sheridan's impending due date. Ethan and Theresa decide to take the guest room downstairs. Matt and Sean sleep in the nursery with Lily. Jessica is staying at a friend's house, so Ivy takes her room. Miguel, not wanting to sleep on the couch, decides to sleep in Kay's room. He lies on her bed and burries his head in her pillow. It still smells like her sunflower perfume. He misses her so much. 'Why was I so stupid?!' Miguel scolds himself. He finally drifts off to sleep with thoughts of Kay in his dreams.

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"Are you ready, Kay?" Sam asks as he, Kay, and Alexa get off of the plane.

"I'm as ready as I'm going to be. We better go now before I change my mind." Sam puts his arm around his daughter and they walk towards the baggage claim. After retrieving their bags, Sam calls a taxi. Ivy had dropped him off at the airport the day before, so he didn't have his car. He and Kay decide that they are going to surprise everyone with Kay's arrival. Sam, Kay, and Alexa get into the car and drive towards the Bennett house.

Chapter 5

"Good morning, Sheridan. Did you sleep well?" Ivy asks as Sheridan joins everyone around the table.

"I slept great. Where's Miguel?" Sheridan asks, noticing that he's the only one not at the table.

"He's still sleeping. We decided to let him rest as long as he can. This situation with Kay has been rough on him." Luis says as he stands up and gives his wife a kiss.

"So, Sheridan, do you think the baby will come soon?" Ethan asks.

"The doctor says that it will be any day now."

"Good. I cant wait to have another baby around. Theresa and I are thinking of having another one soon." Ethan smiles at Theresa and she smiles back.

"We can't either."

"Breakfast is ready." Ivy announces. Theresa gets up from the table and helps her serve it to everyone.

<><><><><><><><><><>

"Ok, Kay. We're here." Sam tells her as they approach the Bennett house. Kay's thoughts are filled with memories as she gets out of the car and looks a the house that she grew up in. Kay gets Alexa out from the back and starts to walk towards the house, but stops.

"I can't, Dad." Kay says as she starts to get tears in her eyes.

"Yes you can, sweetheart. Like you said ealier, it's time to face your fears." Kay smiles and nods and they approach the door. They enter the house and Sam starts to walk towars the kitchen. Kay looks around. Not much has changed, except that she can tell that the decorations are done by a woman that knows what she's doing. They get to the kitchen door and they open it.

"Hey everyone! Guess who's home!" Sam exclaims as everyone looks at him. Kay steps out from behind him with Alexa in her arms.

<><><><><><><><><><>

Miguel wakes up and looks around him and remembers where he is. 'Kay's bedroom'. He thinks to himself. He climbe out of bed and walks down the stairs. He approaches the kichen and prepares to open the door.

Chapter 6

"Kay!" Ivy says as she runs up to hug her new step-daughter. "We have been so worried about you. I know that you don't know me very well, but I care about you a lot and I hope that eventually we'll get to be friends. Look at me, I'm rambling on."

"No, you're not. I think we can be more than just friends. Thank you for making me feel welcome." Kay smiles at her. "Everyone, I'd like you to meet my daughter, Alexa." Everyone looks at the beautiful little girl in Kay's arms and gathers around her to greet both of them. Sheridan takes Alexa from Kay's arms and Theresa hugs Kay.

"It's great to have you back, Kay." Just then, Miguel walks into the kitchen and immediately sees Kay. She looks up after hugging Theresa and the two of them make eye contact.

"Hello, Miguel." Everyone notices Miguel and Kay staring at each other.

"Well, why don't we all go into the lving room and get to know Alexa. This will give Miguel and Kay some time to talk." Ivy suggests as she ushers everyone out of the kitchen.

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"It's so great to have you back, Honey." Ivy says as she kisses Sam.

"It's great to be back with you and everyone. Where's Lily?"

"She's in the nursery taking a nap with Matt and Sean. I'm glad that you got your daughter back."

"So am I. Where's Jess?"

"She's at Simone's. I'll give her a call and tell her about Kay."

"Thanks, sweetie." Sam gives Ivy a quick kiss and she calls Jessica

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"So how have you been?" Miguel asks, trying to make small talk.

"I've been okay, until recently." Kay says, putting her head down.

"Oh, Kay, I didn't mean to bring that up. I heard about your husband...I'm so sorry." He puts a comforting hand on her shoulder and she looks up at him.

"Thanks, Miguel. I need to get over it for my daughter. When she sees me in pain it confuses her."

"I'll do whatever I can to help."

"Thank you. That means a lot to me."

"I know that this is probably a bad time, but we need to talk about what happened before you left."

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"Kay!" Jessica exclaims as she runs into the house. Since Kay has been gone, Jessica has changed and now appreciates her sister. She regrets the horrible way that she used to treat her.

"She's in the kitchen talking with Miguel." Luis tells her.

"Hey honey." Sam begins. "I'd like you to meet your niece, Alexa." Sam hands Alexa to her.

"She's so adorable!"

"I think she has your eyes, Jess." Ivy says. As everyone is talking, Sheridan feels a sharp pain in her stomach. Luis is talking with Ethan and Sam and doesn't notice the cringing look on her face.

"Ummm, Luis?" Sheridan says, tapping him on the shoulder.

"What is it, Honey?" Luis asks, finally turning around.

"I, ah, think I'm in labor."

Chapter 7

"Kay! Miguel! Sheridan's in labor!" Jessica shouts as she runs into the kitchen. Kay looks at Jessica and then runs up to hug her.

"Jess! I have missed you so much!"

"I've missed you, too, Kay! I am so sorry for everything I ever said and did to you. Will you ever forgive me?" Jessica asks, looking at her big sister.

"Of course, Jess. I'm sorry, too."

"I hate to break up this little reunion, but Sheridan's going to have her baby." Miguel intervenes. "Let's go." Jessica and Kay nod and then walk out of the kitchen with Miguel.

"Alright, Luis is taking Sheridan to the hospital. The rest of us can gather up the kids and head over there." Sam says.

"Theresa, let's go get Sean, Matt, and Lily." Ivy suggests. Theresa nods and the two of them go into the nursery to bring in the children. They come back into the living room, Theresa carrying Matt, and Ivy carrying Lily and holding Sean's hand.

"Is this my little sister?" Kay asks as she notices the baby that Ivy is carrying.

"Yes it is. Kay, I'd like you to meet your sister, Lily. Would you like to hold her?" Kay nods and Ivy hands Lily to her. Ivy feels a tug on her jacket and she looks down to see Alexa staring up at her. "What is it, sweetheart?" Ivy asks. Alexa just puts her arms in the air, motioning for Ivy to pick her up. Ivy picks her up.

"Okay, ladies, let's get to the hospital. At this rate, Sheridan will have the baby before we get there. Let's go." Sam orders. They all walk out the door and head to the hospital.

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"It's going to be okay, Sheridan. Just breathe." Luis says, trying to comfort his wife.

"Okay? You did this to me!" Sheridan yells back. Luis holds back the laughter. He always finds it funny when women are in labor and they blame everything on the husband. Dr. Russell walks into the hospital room.

"So, how are you feeling, Sheridan?" She asks as she walks by Sheridan's side.

"I want drugs! Please, Eve, give me drugs!"

"I'm sorry, Sheridan, but it's too late to give you anything. You're almost fully dilated. I think it's time to take you to delivery." Eve says as she walks out of the room to get things ready.

"It's going to be okay, Sheridan. I love you so much." Luis says as he places a hand on her cheek.

"I'm sorry I snapped at you, Luis. I love you, t---Awwwwwww!!!" Sheridan squeezes Luis' hand as another contraction comes.

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Everyone is impatiently sitting in the waiting room. Sam and Ivy are sitting on the couch with Ivy holding Lily . Kay is sitting in between Miguel and Jessica and Theresa and Ethan are sitting across from them. Alexa, Matt, and Sean are on the floor playing with some toys that they brought.

"Kay, after this is all over, we need to finish our talk." Miguel says.

"Okay, Miguel. I need to take a walk. I'll be right back." Kay gets up, leaving Miguel and Jessica confused, and walks outside. She sits on the bench outside and begins to cry, remembering the last time she was at a hospital. It was less than a week ago that her husband, Michael, was in a hospital dying. She had loved him so much and thought that they would be together forever. She continues to cry when she feels a hand on her shoulder....

Chapter 8

Kay looks up to see Miguel looking at her. "You didn't have to come out here. I'm fine."

"I know that you're not okay, Kay. I can see it in your eyes. Do you want to talk about it?" Miguel asks as he sits down next to her. Kay hesitates at first, but then decides to open up to him.

"I was just thinking about my husband. He hasn't even been dead for a week." Kay begins as she pust her head down. "I just miss him so much." Miguel pulls her close to him and she puts her head against his chest. "Thank you for being here for me, Miguel."

"I'll always be here for you. The truth is, I love you."

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"It's a girl!" Luis yells as he enters the waiting room holding his baby daughter. Everyone jumps up and gathers around him.

"Oh, Luis! She's beautiful!" Theresa says as she gently touches the baby's head.

"Yes she is. She looks just like Sheridan." Luis states proudly.

"Well, what's her name?" Sam asks.

"Kathleen Pilar Lopez-Fizgerald."

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"You love me?" Kay asks, making sure she heard him right.

"No. I'm in love with you." Miguel says as he takes her hand in his. Kay doesn't really know what to say. She has spent her life pining away for Miguel and now he wants her. The truth is, she never really got over him. Her heart has and always will belong to him.

"I don't know what to say, Miguel. I have wanted you to be in love with me for so long."

"I have always been in love with you, Kay Bennett. I just didn't know it until I lost you. I know that you just lost your husband, but I want to be here for you. Even if it's only as a friend. I just know that I can't live without you."

"I want you in my life. You would be a postive influence on my daughter and on me. I have to tell you everything, Miguel. I never got over you. Even after I married Michael, you still had my heart and you always will. But I don't know if you and I would work out."

"Of course we will. You and I have always been a team and we will keep on being a team....until death do us part. I just want you to give us a chance. Can you do that?" He asks, smiling at her with hope in his eyes.

"Yes I can. I want us to work, too. I love you."

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THE END