"What about Bobby?" Her question came out as no more than a whisper. "He's the reason this problem started in the first place. He's still a menace, so how can we even think about the future?"

Derrick gave her a light handshake. Sarah, we must not allow him to rule our lives. For our boys and for each other, we must fight for what we want. I'll stop at nothing to ensure your safety and theirs, I swear to you."


There was a fiery drive in his comments that spoke to her. Sarah knew Derrick wouldn't make promises he couldn't keep. Yet, the weight of the unknown loomed large.

"It won't be easy," she conceded, her voice filled with a quiet strength.

"No," Derrick agreed, a wry smile playing on his lips. "It won't. But Sarah, you are not by yourself in this. Together, we'll approach it one step at a time."


For a while, they sat in cozy stillness as the sound of the waves swept over them like a calming melody. The moon created a soft, silvery radiance that illuminated the cove.

Unexpectedly, a shooting star appeared in the sky, leaving behind a brief trail of light.


Whispering, "Make a wish," Derrick jokingly nudged Sarah.

Sarah closed her eyes and imagined a safe, happy, and loving future. A future without the looming worry that would allow her and Derrick to once again be a family.

She opened her eyes to find Derrick staring at her, his empathetic gaze causing her heart to skip a beat.

His voice was gentle as he said, "What did you wish for?"

With a glint of mischief flickering in her eyes, Sarah grinned. "That's a secret," she teased, leaning in closer.

He chuckled, his breath warm against her ear. "Alright, secrets it is. But can I have one small request?"

"Depends what it is," Sarah replied, her voice a playful whisper.

"Just one more dance," Derrick pleaded, his eyes holding hers. "Under the moonlight, just like we used to."

Sarah felt a surge of nostalgia. Her thoughts was filled with images of carefree nights spent in each other's arms, dancing beneath the stars.

"Okay," she gave in, a small smile on her lips. "Just one dance."

Derrick grabbed her hand and felt the lightning shoot through her. They swayed softly to the beat of the waves after he pulled her up. Sarah drew herself closer to him, his warmth a balm in the cool night air.

The world's weight appeared to lift as they danced. Only them, the soft lapping of the waves, and the starry sky overhead. It was then that Sarah gave herself permission to dream of a future in which love would triumph over all obstacles.

'Not to push it," Derrick suddenly said, 'But, I'd love to take the boys and you out to the park tomorrow."

Sarah's brows furrowed. 'Why though?"

'I want us to spend time together as a family. In as much as I want you back, I also want us to be a family. I don't want to exclude the boys. I know I just met them recently but I've come to love them so much already. Please Sarah." Derrick pleaded.

Sarah thought for abit. It's not that she didn't want Derrick to spend time with his boys, it's just that their safety would be jeopadized.

'it's just," Sarah sighed. 'let me explain."

Derrick nodded.

'I'm not restricting you from seeing the boys. Obviously, you being in their lives and being with them is important to me and its important to you and it means alot to me that you even prioritise this." she started, 'But its just that we've been on a low here. No one even knows me from the past or anything here. I'm scared that that will be too out there. I don't know if you get what I mean." She finished, looking at him with pleading eyes hoping he understood.

Derrick nodded. 'I understand. But how long are we going to hide from Bobby and his maniac self? We can still go out even if it's with body guards. I don't mind. Please."

Sarah furrowed her brow, a flicker of worry clouding her previously hopeful expression. "It's not that I don't want you to spend time with the boys, Derrick," she began carefully. "It's just... their safety is my top priority. The last thing I want is to put them at risk, especially with Bobby still out there."

Derrick squeezed her hand, his touch grounding her amidst the swirling anxieties. "I understand completely, Sarah. Their safety is mine too. That's precisely why I want us to be a unit in this. We can figure out ways to spend time together without compromising their well-being."

His words sparked a flicker of hope within her. "But how, Derrick? Bobby seems to have eyes everywhere. We can't just waltz into a public park with the boys without raising suspicion."

Derrick leaned back on his elbows, studying the shimmering path cast by the moon on the water. "We can't live in fear forever, Sarah. We have to find a way to reclaim some normalcy for ourselves and the boys. Perhaps we could…" He paused, a thoughtful glint in his eyes, "enlist Mr. Black's help again."

Sarah's curiosity piqued. "Mr. Black? How would he be of assistance?"

"He's got connections," Derrick explained, a hint of a grin playing on his lips. "Remember how he mentioned the park being a good spot for family picnics? Maybe he knows of a private place where we can spend some quality time together that is hidden from prying eyes."

Sarah felt a surge of relief. It was appealing to imagine a secret sanctuary, a short-term reprieve from the constant menace. "It could actually work," she said, a tentative smile on her lips. But extreme caution would be required. We cannot afford any mistakes.

Reaching out, Derrick tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. He said, "We won't," in a resolute and stern tone. Mr. Black's a seasoned hunter, Sarah. He knows how to stay hidden when he needs to. I trust him implicitly."

For a brief while, they were both in a relaxed silence, with only the soft sound of the waves and the sporadic twitter of a nightbird. The worry wrinkles around Sarah's eyes were heightened by the sparkling shine of the moonlight.

"Derrick," she began softly, breaking the silence. "There's something else I need to tell you. Something Bobby might use against us if he finds out."

Derrick's brow furrowed. "What is it, Sarah? You can tell me anything."

Taking a deep breath, Sarah related Bobby's threats and revealed the truth about their previous existence, which is why they had to go into hiding. She talked about how fear had followed her the entire time, and how she had to be on guard at all times to keep the boys and herself safe.

Derrick did not say anything while she spoke, his eyes listening carefully. His fingers closed around hers in a silent consolation as his jaw hardened with rage at her description of Bobby's brutality. There was a long pause when she was done.

At last, he said in a voice that was both understanding and sorrowful, "So that's why you left, That's why you never contacted me."


Sarah nodded, tears welling up in her eyes. "I had no choice, Derrick. Your safety and the boys' were at stake. I couldn't bear the thought of putting any of you in danger."

He pulled her close, his embrace a haven against the storm of emotions churning within her. "It's alright, Sarah," he murmured, his voice rough with emotion. "You did what you had to do. You protected them."

For a while they sat in silence, deep in contemplation. A sliver of hope, a renewed sense of oneness built in shared vulnerability, coexisted with the weight of their past.

With a gleam of resolve in his eyes, Derrick said, "We'll get through this, Sarah." "Together. We're going to reveal Bobby's true nature and establish a secure environment for the boys and ourselves."

Sarah sank into his arms, taking comfort from his words and his touch's steady dominance. She muttered, "I believe you, Derrick," a glimmer of resolve lighting up her soul. "We won't let him win."

The evening continued, with whispered exchanges and snatched intimate moments. They talked about their aspirations for the future, one in which they may experience fearless love blossoming. They made plans, both immediate and long-term, strategizing ways to navigate their precarious situation.

As Sarah and Derrick gathered the remains of their picnic, the beautiful pink sky was illuminated by the first rays of dawn. After being illuminated by moonlight, the beach now shone with the hope of a fresh day. A day filled with uncertainty, yes, but also a day that held the possibility of a future they dared not dream of just hours ago.

Packing away the picnic basket, Sarah couldn't help but steal glances at Derrick. His firm line of jaw showed how his commitment had become ingrained in him. But she noticed something more in his gaze, a glimmer of tenderness and vulnerability that made her pulse race.

He questioned, a humorous smile flickering on his lips, "Ready to face the real world?"

Sarah returned his smile, a newfound strength resonating within her. "As ready as I'll ever be.":

The drive back was an art of secret preparation and momentarily lost communication. Sarah's knuckles were white from holding onto the steering wheel while she drove through the town. Derrick was sitting next to her, his head glued to the road.