[ He wouldn't dare blame her for that fear. It had been entirely his fault and he knew it. He had thought so naively that if he gave in to Regina that she would actually make their lives better, but in hindsight he was disgusted at himself for entertaining her proposal for even a second let alone going through with it. He had been so firm in his refusal the first time. Why had he been ignorant enough to stray from that resolve?

In a way he knew that he had deserved what the queen had done to him. To ruin his life for having a hand in ruining hers was only justice. But Grace... she didn't deserve any of the pain she had been put through because of the horrible things he had done.

When Grace pulled back he studied her with a palpable regret written all over his face. He wiped at his face with the back of his hand, a heavy swallow preceding his words. ]

Grace, I... [ He had never even considered how hard it would be to explain things to her. ] I didn't mean to be gone for so long. I thought that if I could give you the better life that you deserved that I would be giving you your best chance too. But I trusted the wrong person and did the opposite. I know I hurt you.

[ He looked down, the shame he felt almost unbearable. He forced himself to look into her eyes again, a hand brushing her hair away as he lovingly caressed her face. ]

I don't know how I'm ever going to make it up to you, Grace, but with you is the only place I want to be. I've spent too long trying to get back to you to do anything but stay. So... can we make a new promise? A promise to never leave each other?