And there she was. Not quite the same as before, but none the less she is here. She stands there, colder, hardened...more broken. Disheveled and unkempt, and yet still as beautiful as she ever was the last time. Here eyes catch mine and she takes a cautious step forward. I begin her way in return. We meet in the middle, and I can see her eyes. Wide open and yet shuttered, darting around in fear and uncertainty. She has walls upon walls built up inside to hide from the rest of the world, but I know her too well. Dark shadows stand out beneath her eyes, and despite the strength she portrays on the outside, she exudes an air of damaged fragility. Someone could break her, countless have tried; someone could fix her, if she could let them. Our fingertips touch, then palms meet as fingers intertwine. As I rest my forehead on hers, I can feel her trembling. Fearful eyes full of questions meet mine before easing shut as our lips collide. It is soft and gentle...comforting. Her anxious shakes begin to cease, and I know she is here to stay. My heart swells, for at last she is back. She is here, and she is mine.
