Caroline couldn't shake the feeling of guilt that had overwhelmed her since the nightmare. She hadn't told Tim she was having these dreams more often or how frightened she was that Boden wasn't really dead. She had been complacent before that she would never deal with him again and the horrible reality occured, and now kept recurring even if only in her dreams.

Tim sipped his coffee as he watched Caroline walk along the shoreline, her arms wrapped around herself. She had been distant, preoccupied most of the morning and stated she needed time alone. She stopped and sat down on the sandy shore.

Tim walked over, wrapping a sweater around her shoulders before sitting down behind her. He positioned himself with her between his legs, hoping she would lean against him. She continued to rest her arms and head on her bent knees. He rubbed her back gently before leaning forward, placing his arms around her. Resting his head on her shoulder, he closed his eyes secretly hoping she would talk to him.

Caroline looked straight out at the ocean. The feeling of Tim holding her was comforting. She knew keeping everything to herself wasn't helping at all.

"Please...talk to me" Tim whispered  "whatever it is, let me help you"

"You can't fix everything, Tim" she replied.

"I can try" he responded.

She closed her eyes "please don't hate me" she said softly before finally explaining the dreams and her fear in telling him.

"I could never hate you" he began "I'm sorry you felt afraid to tell me. I've never meant for you to fear me for anything" he said, his voice cracking a bit.

Caroline turned towards him "Im not afraid of you, I'm afraid of losing you after all that's happened"

"I'm not going anywhere and I'm not angry that you didn't tell me. I understand " he replied. "I am angry with him, what he tried to do to you when you were younger and the hell he's put you through now. I wanted it to be me to kill him, not Topher, not anyone else."

Caroline looked at him with sadness, knowing Boden had nearly taken her love from her, in more ways than one. She couldn't let him control her life, their life, any longer.

"I want to forget everything about him, the tumor and I never want to hurt you again either. Can't we just live our life as we've planned?" she stated.

Tim held her closer, "we will,  I promise, we will"

Caroline turned back towards the ocean. She wanted to believe him, something in the back of her mind gnawed at her, that regardless it would never be long enough.

****

Tim had booked a private romantic sunset cruise aboard a spooner for 7 pm. As they arrived, they were escorted to a private area below deck where a waiter and chef stood by to accommodate their dinning choices.

Once finished with their meal they were escorted back on deck to a seated area at the front of the ship. A waitress had prepared an array of fruits and wines to enjoy for the duration of their cruise.

With the sun beginning to lower behind the horizon there was a slight chill in the air. Tim placed Caroline's wrap around her shoulders while she moved closer, leaning her head against him. He held her close as the sun faded and the array of colors emerged across the sky. The gentle rocking of the ship, the warmth of the love of her life beside her made everything perfect. Maybe he was right, they would have the life they dreamed of.