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Lyric Wheel Challenge - "Your Winter" by Sister Hazel
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Carly held the frame within her cold palms. It had been taken three months ago while her, Sonny, and Michael had been out for an afternoon in the park. Michael had been real adamant on playing in the sand while Sonny had wanted to keep his designer slacks and shirt as clean as possible. It had been a Kodak moment so to speak, so she'd had Johnny take the picture after hopping behind the two men in her life, who happened to be fighting over a shovel at the time. Carly smiled.

She wished she could return to that day. Everything had been perfect. The weather was nice, not too cold and lots of sun. Michael had been in an agreeable mood, except for the shovel-bout with Sonny, and was all smiles the whole afternoon. And Sonny... Well, he'd been great. Attentive, caring, and interactive with not only Michael, but her as well. Looking down into the frame that held the photographic proof of day, Carly knew she couldn't wish it back for all her life. And the only person to blame for that was herself.

Placing the frame atop of the clothes that had been haphazardly thrown into the nearest suitcase, she flipped the top down and zipped the bag shut. One last look around the room was all she could stomach before stepping out into the hallway and signaling Johnny inside. "I'm finished," were her only words to him as she turned and made her way downstairs. She didn't even know what to say to him before she left. Sh'ed already pleaded with him, asked for his forgiveness, and he'd still shut her out. The only difference was that this time, it might be forever.

The old picture on the shelf,
it's been there for awhile
Frozen image of ourselves,
we were acting like a child
Innocent and in a trance,
a dance that lasted for awhile

He heard her footsteps come down the stairs, but didn't turn to meet her eyes. How could he? And better yet, what was the point? She had choosen her path which had led them to this moment. It was funny, actually. Sonny had always believed that it would be his fault if she ever left. Either something he did or something he failed to do would end in them being separated by some great length of distance that he knew, deep within his heart, he'd walk just to see her again.

But not this time. Not with the situation she had unknowingly placed him in. He wasn't angry about her getting him arrested. Hell, by now, he should be used to Carly's antics ending with him behind bars. The only thing that had sparked his anger was her refusal to accept him for what he was. He didn't know why it was so easy for her to accept Jason knowing the life that he lived, but when it came time to show that same acceptance for him, she always failed. He couldn't change the man that he was and would never do so for anybody, no matter how much he loved them.

So, the only choice left was to let her go. She couldn't imagine what this did to him. It had taken a lot for him to accept the fact that she was the one that had betrayed him. It had been even harder to come to the realization that she couldn't love him for the man that he was. But the decision to send her away... God, he didn't want to send her away. He'd never needed someone as much as he did Carly. It was if she was the missing piece of his soul. Whenever the two were near, he felt his life was complete. Sending her away would only hurt him, yet it was the only thing he could do.

Well, I'm not a beggar, but once more
If I hurt you, then I hate myself
Don't wanna hate myself, don't wanna hurt you
Why do you choose that pain?
If you only knew how much I love you-no

"I'm ready to go," she whispered, unsure if he would even open himself to listening to her. She hated that there were tears streaming down her face when his own was probably cold and impassive.

"Good," was his gruffly answered reply. He couldn't make himself turn around, though everything in him said that this was his last chance to say goodbye. Heaven help him, he wasn't ready to say goodbye. He wasn't ready to watch her walk away and frankly, he didn't think he'd ever be ready for that day.

A small sob escaped her, but she quickly choked the remaining down. Crying would make no difference. It wouldn't make him see she had done it for them, for thier family. It wouldn't change the fact that in his eyes, she had done the worst thing anyone could ever do to him.

"I just wanted to say..."

"Don't," came his clipped voice. It was then that he turned to look at her. She looked just about as miserable as he felt. "I don't want to hear anymore excuses. You should go. Johnny," Sonny called, knowing the guard was upstairs collecting her things.

A moment later, Johnny appeared, carrying Carly's numerous suitcases. And that was just the stuff she'd had time to throw into a bag.

"Put the bags in the elevator and hold it Johnny," Sonny spoke quietly

"Yes, sir." Johnny threw a forlorn glance in Carly's direction before exiting the Penthouse.

Watching him walk away with her things, the true nature of her situation hit. She was leaving. Her home, her life, and most importantly, her husband. Her love. Determination replaced any sorrow or anger that she should be feeling. She had something to say, and she would damn well say it before he threw her out of his life.

"Well, whether you want to hear it or not, I'm going to say this. I mean, I'm leaving right? I should get a few last words, don't you think?"

He shrugged, not caring if she spoke or not. Nothing she said would change anything now. Their paths were set, and sadly, those paths did not coincide. She would go her way and he his own. Deciding to give her the respect she deserved, for she was still his wife, he looked into her eyes and waited.

"I love you Sonny. I know you don't believe me when I say that because of my actions, but it's true. And... And I just want you to know that this won't change how I feel about you. Ever. I know you're upset and I understand it, really I do. But when you're ready to forgive me, when you're ready to give me that second chance, don't feel like you can't because of today. Because the truth is, I'll be waiting. I'll be waiting for you." Finished, she walked over to him. Hesitantly, she placed a soft kiss on his cheek. "Bye Sonny." And with those whispered words, she was gone.

Sonny watched the door shut behind and immediately sunk to the floor. He hoped she was right. He hoped to God one day he'd be able to forgive her. But until then, he would have to live the emptiness her not being here would leave in his heart.

Well, I won't be your winter
And I won't be anyone's excuse to cry
We can be forgiven
And I will be here