-Alice POV-

I twirl my wedding ring around my finger, my gaze never darting from it.

Steve and I haven't been talking very much. He's never home anymore. He's either trying to find James or he's trying to forget his past by beating up the punching bag.

He's been so focused, that he hardly talks to me. He comes home in the evening, usually around 10 at night. Then he showers, and he goes to bed.

Then, when I wake up, he's gone. Not a word, and not even a note.

I sigh. The diamond on my ring shimmered from the light coming from my bedside table lamp. Maybe it's a sign. Maybe Steve will change soon, but he just has a lot on his mind right now. Maybe he hasn't forgotten about me.

Maybe he still loves me.

I hear the main door open and the shut right after. It must be Steve.

I pull my knees up to my chest and lower my head. I turn my head and glance at the alarm clock to my left.

It's almost midnight.

The bedroom door opens and Steve steps in. He sets his shield by the door and tosses his gym bag next to his nightstand.

He notices my silence and practically does a double take. But instead of asking me what was wrong, he gathers clean clothes and leaves the room. I hear the bathroom door open and then shit behind him. Followed by the sound of running water coming from the shower.

I fight back my emotions and lay down in our bed. I face the opposite wall and sigh.

Steve enters the room about ten minutes later. He sits down on his side of the bed and turns off his bedside table lamp.

"Do you still care about me?" I ask from out of nowhere.

Steve turned over on his side until he was facing me, "Why would I stop caring about you?"

I quickly sit up and turn on the lamp on my nightstand, "Steve, for the past few weeks, you haven't said a word to me. You're never home, and I can't tell you when the last time you kissed me was. I've spent these weeks wondering if you still love me." I say.

"Why would I ever stop caring about you? I married you because I love you. I want to be able to wake up every morning and see you looking back at me. I want to see your smile and hear you laugh every day."

"All you ever do is go to the gym and search for James. I miss you, Steve."

Without warning, his lips land on mine. I've really missed him. His words. His voice. His laugh. His smile. His lips.

His love.

"You don't have to ask me if I still love you. The answer will always be yes. Forever and ever." He says.

I kiss him again.

I reply, "Always."