Back in Serenity, Mac and Stella were walking along the beach. Sitting on some rocks, he nestled her between his legs.
"Are you happy I came here, Mac?"
Lowering his head to her ear, he whispered...
"I am love. This is where you are always meant to be. Safe and secure in my arms."
"I was going to send you a letter with Peter, but at the last minute... I couldn't help but change my mind."
"I'm happy you did, love. Do you still have the letter?"
"Mhm... right here in my pocket."
"May I read it?"
Passing Mac the letter, Stella turned in his arms, as she laid her head on his knees.
"My dearest Mac,
I know we left on bitter terms of anger and hurt. Hurt from the pain of my mistake. I understand that now. I only hope you can forgive what I have done to our love. I know there is no excuse as to why, for it would only be words that could hurt you more. I guess I was frightened. Frightened by your anger, your rage, each and every time the pain overtook you.
It was the feeling that you were shutting us all out, as a family. You were pushing each and every one of us away, Mac. Leaving us unsure of how to help you, when you wouldn't open your memories of that day. Instead you replaced them with mine. You were living my memories of that day Mac, not yours. You became angry, bitter, and withdrawn all the time. It took me talking openly about my life with an outsider to realize that. I was replacing Andrew's warmth, and comfort, with things I had been missing from you, Mac.
Falling into the arms of another was easier then facing the truth. The truth that neither one of us have accepted, of the loss, or devistation we suffered that day. As time went on, it became easier to hide myself from the reality of what happened. By taking myself back to the past we once had, allowed the pain to disappear.
For nothing in that time could hurt us. Our love was always bright and happy there. We always had amazing family times, and did crazy things that made our family nights unique. We built a world there that became untouchable to those who didn't belong. Leaving us to always feel safe and secure in our world that we shared.
I only wish I had known, you knew about Andrew and I, instead of allowing us to become closer. I often wish you had spoken up and honestly told me that it did bother you. If you had, we may never have had this anger between us build. Maybe one day you can explain to me why you allowed Andrew and I to share a bond. A bond that we once shared. Why you would allow him to come in and take your place. That is what I can't seem to figure out Mac. Why? Why did you allow it?"
Either way it still should not have happened. Deep down I know I should have been stronger, stronger to face your wrath from your disabilities. Stronger to talk about the blast that tore our beautiful world apart that day. Stronger to allow all those painful memories and deaths, not to haunt us. Haunt us to the point of hiding it far away. Leaving us to carry so much frustration, and angered pain. To take it out on each other. Me by hiding in Andrew's arms, and you by allowing it to pass as nothing more, then friendship.
It took you leaving, and Peter to finally help me come to terms, with why I thought myself in love with Andrew. You see Mac, it was never love. It was me escaping the future, the future that had left us torn. We both lost ourselves that day. We both kept it all locked behind the door of fear, fear to face the fact that everything we lost that day, was a reality.
I can promise you from this moment on that we will open these locked doors. Open them, and help each other face the horror that has mislead us down the path of shadows and devistation. Till we find our way back to the future, the future that we both thought was long lost in our minds.
For this is what our love is Mac. It's an unconditional legacy that has been weaved from the strongest threads. Threads of each memory, each dream, each hope and moment we shared as husband and wife.
So hurry home my love. Home to our future. A future that will be mended one memory at a time. With our passion, strength and love.
Love forever and always,
your Stella.
Placing down the letter, Stella watched as tears formed in her husbands eyes.
"I guess it's my turn now, love. My turn to tell you why..."