Elizabeth's POV:

I stretch and yawn. I convince myself to get out of the bed and walk into the kitchen. A note is sitting on the counter.

"I work early this morning. Feel free to make yourself breakfast. I'll be home around 5:00.

-Adam"

I pull out some a bowl and a pan and start making pancakes. I carefully study the contents of the refridgerator and pull out blueberries. Once I get the pancakes start sizzling, I walk back into the bedroom to walk up Stephanie.

"Good morning sweetie." I smile warmly and kiss her on her forehead.

"Good morning." Stephanie yawns.

I carry her out of the bedroom and sit her down in a chair.

"How does pancakes sound for breakfast?"

"Good." Stephanie says quietly.

I place a few pancakes on a plate for each of us and pour syrup over them. I lick my finger and put the syrup back in the refridgerator.

"Mommy, where are we?" Stephanie says after taking a mouthful of pancake.

"We're at Adam's house. You remember Adam, don't you?"

"Yeah." Stephanie frowns slightly. "Mommy, when are we going home?"

I almost choke on my pancake. This is the first time Stephanie has mentioned home.

"We aren't going back home, Stephanie." I place a hand over hers.

"Why not?" She asks innocently, eyes shimmering with curiousity.

"Your father..." I sigh, not knowing how I'm going to explain this to her, "Your father...is sick. Your father is sick."

"What do you mean?" Stephanie asks.

"He," I pause, "Isn't himself. This...sickness...it makes him a different person. I know it's hard for you to understand, but we can't go back. There isn't a cure for him, sweetie. He'll be sick for the rest of his life. The sickness makes him act mean and it isn't good for us to be around him anymore, okay?"

"Okay." Stephanie nods and quietly goes back to eating her pancakes.

I think about John. I wonder what he's doing right now. Is he scowering the country for me, or has he gotten over the fact that we are over and I'm never coming back? Suddenly, I'm afraid, especially being in the house all by myself.

After breakfast, I turn on the tv for Stephanie and take a quick shower. I throw on my usual outfit of jeans and a t-shirt and tie my converse.

"Stephanie, would you like a walk?" I call from the bedroom.

"Yes!" She shouts back at me and runs into the bedroom. I smile and change her out of her pajamas.

I take her hand and we head for the park. I swing her arm back and forth and she laughs in happiness. I smile and we start to skip. The wind is harshly blowing but it feels good against my skin. I finally let myself go and I'm a child once more.

I'm laughing as loudly as Stephanie as we skip to the park. I'd imagine the cars passing us probably think we are crazy, but I don't care one ounce.

After a bit, Stephanie gets tired and I pick her up until we reach the park.

I set her on the ground and take her hand.

The park is stunning. I'm really starting to like Denver. The park is peaceful and quiet. I walk along the paths with Stephanie. She points at the occasional dog and I smile. We stop by a flower bush and I pick one and put it in her hair.

We continue along the paths until we get hungry. I grab us sandwiches from a nearby deli and we find a park bench to sit on and eat our lunch.

"It's not so bad being away from home, is it?" I gently nudge Stephanie on the shoulder.

She smiles back at me. "Nope. I like it here." She says between bites.

We continue eating for a while. A couple birds fly by and I smile. I feel so light and happy right now. Despite the recent events and heartbreak, I'm in a fairly good mood.

I stand up and throw away our trash. Suddenly I'm being grabbed and twirled around.

"It's about time you showed up." Travis says before hungrily grabbing my face and shoving his lips into mine.

At first I struggle, furious at him, but his kiss melts my heart and it's impossible to be mad at him. The hurt drifts away and I feel myself falling even harder for him. My senses finally kick in and I pull away.

I open my mouth to say something but he holds a finger to my lips.

"Don't. I was an ass. I'm sorry. I kept trying to tell myself that you were nothing, that these feelings were nothing. But they aren't. Elizabeth, you are my whole world, and I'm nothing without you. I love you." Travis stares right into my eyes. With his tone of voice and look in his eyes, I know he's sincere.

I've been waiting to hear those words. The shock of it all nearly knocks me over, but my immense joy steadies my body. Instead of replying, I pull Travis's face to my own. All of the longing and hurt burns in the kiss. I run my hands through his hair, the hair that I didn't even realized I had missed. Finally, out of breath, we pull away.

"I love you too." I breath out. "If you ever do something stupid like that again I'll-" I raise my hand threateningly.

Travis laughs. "You're too nice and this face is too attractive for you to do me any harm. But don't worry, I've learned my lesson."

I roll my eyes but I can't help but laugh. I smack Travis's shoulder. Just like old times.

"So you're really choosing me over her?" I whisper.

"Yes." Travis pulls me into an embrace and kisses my forehead.

My eyes water and I try to hold in sobs but it's no use.

"Is this real?" I ask.

"If it's a dream, I hope I never wake up." Travis whispers in my ear.

Travis takes my hand and we walk over to Stephanie. Travis gives her a big hug and tosses her in the air. I smile at the sight of the two of them. We could be a family. I shake my head; it's all so surreal. I can't believe this is really happening-I keep waiting for someone to pinch me so I'll wake up and this perfection will end.

Travis carries Stephanie with one hand and takes my hand in the other. I look up at him and our eyes lock once more.

"Let's go home." He says.