"Um..."

Gale opened her mouth but found herself unable to give an accurate answer.

Yes, how long would it take? A month? Three months? Six months or even longer? Could Shawn endure such a long time?

"You see, Gale, you don't even know." Shawn sighed. "I don't have to rush you. I can give you time to slowly emerge from the shadow of the past. But you must understand, we are forever husband and wife, forever able to do the most intimate things without reservation."

"I'm sorry..." She tried to apologize again, but her words felt weak as they reached her lips.

Sorry was truly the most useless phrase in the world.

"Shawn, don't push me, don't..." Gale shook her head, still holding onto his neck. "I know you want me to move on quickly, but I can't do it. I also want to go back to how things were before, but can we really go back?"

He answered firmly, "We can."

She looked into his eyes.

Her reflection was mirrored in Shawn's pupils.

"Thank you, Shawn. You've always been on my side,