I fell silent and turned away slightly to hide the tears rising in my eyes. I just did not want to end this conversation with a tide of mutual emotions/compassion caused by my tears. After a moment of complete stillness, I somewhat heard him take a deep breath and approach the door, "After all this time, beautiful..." he stated sternly, "...there is one thing I have not given up trying, either. Hoping... and believing that it will all be allright for both of us one day since we have suffered enough."