hew draws in a breath in surprise and then hugs her again.

"I love you too, Steph. Truly, honestly love you. I will never hurt you. I swear. I prayn tyou never push me away, because I feel like, as long as we are together, nothing else couldhurt me, but that would."

He hugs her again, and shivers.

"God, I have never been so scared as I have been tonight... that you woujld... that you might..."

he shudders, more tears falling.