I love you too, Jake... More than anything in this world. You've shown me what true love and kindness really are, and I will always be grateful to have you in my life.

I love you too, Jake. You've given me hope when I thought it was lost, and shown me that there is still goodness in this world. I promise to cherish our love always and do everything in my power to make you happy.

For a moment, she hesitates. It takes everything in her not to shrink away from him and run back inside where it's safe and familiar. But something about the look in his eyes tells her that he won't hurt her... that he might actually understand what she's going through.

Slowly, shakily, she steps forward into his embrace, pressing her tear-streaked face against his chest.

Her body trembles slightly as she holds onto him tightly, feeling the warmth of his skin beneath her fingers. The smell of him - clean linen and something uniquely masculine - envelops her, making her feel strangely safe despite being exposed like this. She buries her face deeper into his shirt, trying to block out everything else except for the sound of his heartbeat under her ear.

"Thank you," she whispers softly after several long moments pass between them. "I-I've never felt safe before..."