Bernard caught Marissa and held her tightly to himself as her body got wracked with shudders, and she sobbed as she clung to him.

"Oh my God. Oh, my God," she said repeatedly as she held him tightly. "I thought…I thought I would never see you again. I was…I couldn't... oh my God," she said brokenly as tears and relief gushed out of her.

Bernard seized her lips in a kiss. "I know, I know. Hush now, my love. I am so sorry for making you worry so much."

Marissa moved back from the embrace and gave him a thorough look before holding him tightly to herself again in a...