I Love You

When Sara was discharged from the hospital, Nick was right there waiting for her. His friend Adam, who had been caring for her, couldn't make it that day—he had an important exam in medical school.

Nick had a surprise ready. Once inside the limousine, he turned to her with a soft smile.

—"My love, I have something to show you," he said.

Sara stared at him, confused. Then the back door opened… and there she was.

—"Our baby girl is alive, Sara. I rescued her."

Sara's hands trembled as she held her daughter, her eyes welling up with tears.

—"My baby… my little girl…" she whispered, kissing and hugging her with overwhelming emotion. "My beautiful baby… Nick, how…?"

—"I wasn't going to let them get away with it, Sara," Nick said as the limousine moved forward. "They hurt you and one of our children. You have to trust me—I won't let them hurt you again, my love."

Nick cradled Anthony in his arms, the boy sleeping peacefully. He watched Sara smile joyfully for the first time in so long.

—"Sara… will you marry me, my love?" he asked.

Sara blinked in surprise. For a moment, she just stared. Then she replied:

—"Yes, Nick. Of course I will."

Nick turned to look at their baby girl, now giggling in her mother's arms as Sara smothered her with kisses and love. But a trace of sadness passed through Nick's heart—Sara hadn't reacted the way he had dreamed she would. He sighed and pushed the thought aside.

When they arrived home, Mr. Archer was already waiting eagerly at the entrance. He welcomed Sara with open arms and asked the nanny to take care of the children for a while, allowing Nick to bring his fiancée to their room for some peace and privacy.

Once alone, Nick embraced her.

As always, Sara tensed at first—but this time, she hugged him back almost immediately.

Nick wasn't naïve. He knew deep down that this beautiful woman might never truly love him. She needed him. That was why she stayed by his side. Why she tried so hard in bed. They had been intimate before—but they had never made love. Sara had given him her body, yes… but never her soul.

—"Sara," Nick said gently, "I'll always protect you. You don't have to fear the agency anymore. They'll never take you or our daughter again."

—"I know, Nick. You prove that to me every day. I know… we're your family now, and you'll protect us. I believe that…"

—"Sara… you still haven't told me you love me. Not even once."

—"…What?"

—"And when I proposed, you didn't react like someone in love…"

—"Nick, please…" Her voice broke. "I was just discharged from a psychiatric hospital…"

—"You don't have to be afraid anymore, Sara. I'll never leave you. I won't let anyone hurt you again. You can trust me."

—"Then…?"

—"Please, Sara. What more must I do to be loved by you? I need you—don't think I don't."

Sara hugged him tightly. She did love him. How could she not love this golden-haired man who gave everything for her?

But she had never learned how to express it.

—"Nick… I'm sorry. I don't even know how to express what I feel. I never did. And the agency… it killed that part of me."

—"Sara… do you love me?"

—"Yes. Of course I do," she said, now crying tears of joy. "I love you, Nick. But… I'm scared and…"

—"I'll protect you, my love," he said, holding her closer. "Please… believe me."

Sara returned his embrace. And for the first time, she truly let him in. She kissed him—deeply, passionately.

Nick guided her gently to the bed.

They undressed one another, not with haste, but with tenderness and need. This time, they didn't just make love with their bodies—Sara gave him her heart. Her soul.

—"I love you, Nick. I love you so much, my love."

—"Sara… you're my whole life."

—"I'll always stay by your side."

Nick lost himself in the woman he adored. His body had longed for her during every sleepless night she spent in the hospital. Now, he wasn't going to waste a single moment.

Sara came back to life in Nick's arms, feeling every touch, every breath, every wave of devotion. With each movement, she felt herself healed—bit by bit.

She soared, overwhelmed by the love she had once feared.

And when it was over, they lay wrapped in one another's arms—safe, calm, whole.

For once, there were no nightmares.

And their children, watched over by the nanny, were safe.

At last… they could rest.