Acceptance

I was so scared to tell her the truth. After all we'd been through, all we'd shared, how could I explain that I wasn't the man she'd fallen for. 

I still loved her but I was never going to turn back into him now. 

How could she ever accept that this is who I really am?

Still, I felt I had to try and justify my decision so I forced myself to launch into the sad little speech I'd prepared. Trembling and nervous, as I stumbled through the words I'd been rehearsing in my head.

I kept expecting her to stop me. Stand up and storm out or slap my face and call me all the terrible things I'd called myself in the darkest nights.

Except she didn't. She just sat there listening while I poured my heart out. 

Afterwards, she took my hand and I finally found the nerve to look directly at her. I looked into her beautiful eyes and saw nothing but love and compassion there. That's when I knew we'd  always be together no matter what.