The question was gibberish as Rosie fought to hear around his raspy breathing, now hot against her ear. She sank her fingers in his hair and pulled when those perfect lips sucked recklessly at her neck. He forced her to the floor and covered her body with his. Passion poured from his kisses, ravishing her mouth as they both fought to get him out of his clothes. Finally managing, he gripped her inner thigh with a hand and shoved her open, entering her with absolution.

It was suddenly as though she'd never made love before, the feelings so new and powerful. He used his arm to force her leg up as he thrust into her with hungry groans, his mouth right on hers as though he intended to feast on every sound he forced from her.

"What else, Rosie," he shuddered in her mouth around his brutal kisses. "What else do you want from me, what else?"

She wanted to think. She wanted to answer him; it seemed important. But only sharp moans came from her, over and over, each one louder. Then it came back, the words came back, the truth, the answer. "Live for me,” she managed between cries. “Live for me, William!"

Rosie raked her nails into the scars on his back and his orgasm gripped him, sending him into a frenzy of savage thrusts. "Live for me, live for me!" it made her scream.

She repeated the words mindlessly as his strokes slowed. He finally collapsed and laid his forehead on her shoulder, hot breaths raising goose bumps along her skin. Rosie relished in the feel of their slick bodies pressed tight together. Such a beautiful connection. So beautiful, so amazing. She didn't even care about getting pregnant anymore. She wasn't even ashamed that she didn't care. If she would ever have a child, she'd want it to be with him and she’d not let the past dictate its fears with him.

Pain stole her breath then. "Live for me," she strained, stroking his head. "Just please ... live."

"Rosie," he whispered, his voice thick with regret, like she would ask him for the one thing he couldn't do. He finally lifted his head and stared down at her. "You're crying," he murmured with the same awe from the first time she'd heard him say it on the helpline. But this time there was more than awe coloring his words. He touched the tears like a man seeing a miracle, experiencing it with his own hands and eyes. "You're crying," he said again before giving a light, amazed laugh and smothering her face with tiny kisses. Like he finally got it. He got that she did care; she did love him. He pulled up and aimed the most troubled look at her. "Rosie ..."

"What? What William?" She stroked his face, praying he'd just believe.

"I don't know how." He shook his head a little, like he was so sorry. "I don't know how to even want to live. I’ve only known how to want to die."

Rosie let out a small sob at those sad words. She captured his face between her hands and made him look at her. "We'll learn together." She nodded and let out several more sobs before pulling him down to hug him tight. "We'll learn together, please. Please try. For me."

He stroked her hair and kissed her softly, tenderly. "For you Rosie," he whispered. "I'd die trying, anything for you."