"You protected us. You defended me, Hunter and yourself. You protected us from the woman that abused you, that shot me, that kidnapped our son," he breathed. "You are an amazing mother,"

Dakota's eyes flicked to the scar from the bullet wound and, without thinking, her fingertips grazed over it. "It's just hard to see that side after what felt like more than only 6 months of abuse...." She said, trailing off as she noticed she'd said too much

"You didn't deserve any of that jail time or abuse,"

"Well, I did break in and kind of try to kill her so...." She said, a smir on her lips. "I'm sorry to have left you with Hunter on your own....I'll never fully forgive myself for that..."

"Babe, you were protecting us. She kidnapped our son, and shot me,"

"I know.....My mother...."

"I know, baby, I know..." he comforted her.

Dakota slowly broke down in his arms, hiding her face in his neck

Nate held her close, comforting her as she cried.

"I can't.....I don't know if I can.....I hurt, Nate....." She sobbed into his arms