Her body ached all over; she wondered where she was? How long had she been out? She struggled to open her eyes, slowly she opened them and saw nothing but white. A white room with machines surrounding her, hooked up to her. The TV on the far wall was turned on but the volume was down low so not to wake her. She breathed in, but something was making it harder for her; there was a tube up her nose to give her oxygen. An IV was placed in her wrist, other equipment was attached to her as well. She closed her eyes and took in the moment, then heard footsteps. The door closed and when she peered back up she saw a young girl. A nurse; she had to be.

The nurse wore butterflies on her scrubs. At first she did not notice that she was even awake until she saw her move her arm towards her. "Where am I?"

"You're in the hospital." Startled at first and then she smiled. "I'm here to just check on you. Can I get you anything?"

"Maybe, are my kids here?"

"I believe they're in the waiting room. I can go get them for you if you wish."

"Thank you." She laid her head back down on the pillow, closing her eyes. She opened them back up when she heard the door open again.

"Good afternoon. We are glad to see that you are finally awake. So how are you feeling Addison?" He pulled her chart, reading the updates on her. "My name is Dr. Farris, you've been out for several months now. We are glad to see that you're awake and talking."

"My children?" she whispered.

"Your parents took them to get a bite to eat, they should be back in a little while. Is there anything I can get for you Addison?"

"My name is not Addison."

"It says so." Thumping the clipboard. "Right hear on your chart, Addison Danielle Wittman, birthday December the second, nineteen-seventy-two."

"Wittman.....that was my name a long time ago." She closed her eyes. "What year is this again?"

"Two thousand and eight. Are you sure you are feeling all right?"

"Just confused a little, but I think I'm going to be all right."

"There is a detective here that is wanting to ask you a few questions. He has been waiting a long time to talk with you; I'll go get him for you."

"I don't know if I am up to company right now."

"It might make you feel better and help you remember things." He tossed the clipboard back on the wall.

A few seconds later she saw a vision, a dark outline in the doorway. She didn't have to peer to see him to know it was him because she could smell and feel his presence in the room. He walked smoothly over to the bed and placed his hand into hers. With the other hand he hugged her and kissed her lightly on the lips. "Oh Addison, we've waited so long for you to wake."

She closed her eyes for a split second and thought of what he just said, "You called me Addison."

"Yeah, I did call you that," he sat down beside her not letting go of her hand. " I know people in high places. I thought you would like your given name back." He watched as she looked startled, "You're parents were very helpful and have helped me arrange everything."

"What do you mean?"

"Well for starters you are Ms. Addison Wittman again. I even changed the kid's name back but with your last name of Wittman. Hannah was a little upset at first but I think she will like Bella more."

"And Seth?" she asked.

"Oh, he did not mind one bit; I really think he likes the Wittman name."

"Are they all right."

"Yes. They are all very well. You're parents have been taking good care of them and I have been around a lot to help out as well. They really miss having you around though. I just called your dad to let him know that you're awake."

"I can't wait to see them." One single tear fell on the side of her cheek.

"I hope you don't mind but I took the liberty to do something else for you as well." He paused for several seconds.

She thought she was going have to pour it out of him. "What did you do?"

"Well you have been out for so long and let's just say that I know a lot of people, doctors."

"And?"

"Well, you know I really love you a lot and ...."

"And? Derrick just tell me what did you do?"

"The scars are all gone, maybe not inside of here." He pointed to her chest. "But on the outside they're gone. Every single little scar."

At first she thought he was kidding with her so she raised her hand and started to look at her wrist as if she hand never seen it before, the scar was gone. Quickly she threw the covers off of her feet and looked at her ankle, her hand touched, glided over were the scar use to be. She was overwhelmed and started to cry. "And my back? How...?"

"It's all gone. You had several skin graphs and three intense surgeries but I promise, they are all gone." He hugged her close as she wept. He knew it would still take her time and she may never get over her past but he wanted to help relieve a lot of the pain, the memories of the scars that haunted her. "I also forgot to mention something else?"

"What, now?"

"Your sister came by and took measurements, the dress is going to look beautiful on you."

"Whoa......Wait a minute." She pushed back from him and stared into his blue eyes. She searched for the answers and had a strange feeling of what he had meant but then asked for reassurance. "What measures? What dress?"

"Damn it you're not going to make this easy for me are you? Addison I want you. I have wanted you since the day we bumped into each other in the library." He started to get on one knee but the door opened and the kids rushed in to hug her.

"Mommy you're awake now!" Gleamed Gabby from ear to ear.

"My how you've gotten so big in the past few months." She wanted to cry but held the tears back, reaching for Seth and Bella she smiled. "I've always been here for you and I will always be, sorry I took such a long nap."

"It's all right mom." Seth looked at Derrick. "He's a great guy mom." He looked at his sisters and the three of them smiled.

"Yeah mom, he has been helping papa and gramma this whole time. He says he really loves you." Added Bella.

"And us toooooo." Gabby jumped with excitement.

"I can see that." She looked behind the children and right by the door stood her dad along with her mother. She could not hold the tears back, for it had been such a long time that she was with her mother. Addison watched her father let go of her mother's hand. She walked up and took her hand.

"My sweet little Addie....." she cried. They held onto each other for a long time.

"Oh, momma, there were so many nights I wanted you to hug me, so many nights that I needed you so close to me...I love you momma." She dug her face into her hair, how she missed the aroma of her, the perfume was still the same over all the years that had passed between them.

Her father reached over for a hug as well. "I'm glad your back, everything is going to be fine now." He shook Derrick's hand. "This fellow here is a wonderful man, the kids love him and I think he has grown on us as well."

"Have you asked her." Seth wanted to know.

"Yea," added Bella, "Have you asked her yet?"

"Not yet, I haven't had time too," replied Derrick.

Gabby reached up for Derrick and whispered into his ear, "ask."

He shook his head a little to the side, dimples appeared as he smiled back at Gabby. "Your children are something you know that?" He sat her back down by Addie. "You see we all have been talking and came to a conclusion."

"You mean about the measurement, the dress, you want me to...." She just could not say the word, 'marriage'."

"Addison Wittman," he kneeled back down not only in front of her but her children and her parents as well. "I want to spend the rest of my life with you, Seth, Bella, little Gabby. I want all of you, I want...."

"Say yes, momma."

"Please." Gabby begged.

"I....I ...." A part of her wanted to say no, but another part of her watched as the children admired him. She looked into his eyes as his hands trembled inside of hers. She could almost feel his heart pound deep inside. She knew he would love her, love her children and take great care of them. That's what they all had needed, she knew they needed him just as much as she did. Without any farther a due she smiled. "yes, yes I will marry you."

He took the ring out of the box; his hands trembled as he placed the ring on her finger. "I love you so much Addison."

"I love you too."

He gleamed from ear to ear as the kids tackled him. "Wait...I have something for the each of you as well." He dug into his pocket and pulled out another box. "I want you to all know how much I really love you and want to be your father. So, I got you all a ring as well. This is a ring that binds us all together, this is a ring that promises commitment to each other." He gave one to Gabby and Bella, then turned to Seth. "I know boys don't wear rings so I put yours on this chain. I would love for you to be my son."

Seth took the ring on the chain and fastened it around his neck. "I would like to be your son, Derrick, I mean dad." He slapped his hand and Derrick patted him on the back.

*****

Six weeks later, she was wearing the beautiful backless silk dress, laced with pearls. Her children stood on both sides of her along with her sister. They heard the music and started to walk down the old dirt path. She stopped briefly and took a big breath of fresh air. Her father reached up and took her arm and he smiled and reassured her this was the right decision, one of the best decisions of her whole life.

"Are you ready?" he asked.

She smiled as her eyes filled with water. "I dreamed of this day daddy and I am so glad that you are here to lead the way." And with that they started to walk the old dirt path by the river where she played as a child. The leaves crunched under their feet, birds chirped high in the trees, butterflies flew around them.

She watched him as she got closer. Dressed in black. His dimples were so deep, as he gleamed ear to ear. As her father let her go, Derrick took his place. His hands were still trembling as he held on to her. During the vows he started to cry, the tears fell silently as he looked into her eyes and toward the children that would now become his new family. As she started to cry she placed her hand over her mouth to hold in the cries but then he took her hand and held it close to his heart, he starred into her eyes and promised, "Forever....I do....forever Addie."