“Spence? When did I turn into your teddy bear?” Ashley giggles as she wakes me up. What? Ashley woke me up? That never happens. What time is it?

            “Ash, what time is it?”

            “It’s about 11 o’clock.”

            “What!? Wow. I never sleep this late. Wait. You’re up before me. That never happens.”

            “That’s what happens when you’re a sleepy head. Plus someone was squeezing me and it woke me up.” I realize then that I was still holding Ashley. I immediately let go and roll over and stretch so Ashley can’t see my face. Did I really just hold Ashley through the night? It has been a long time since I’ve slept that well. Does she know what happened last night?

            “Sorry about that. I like to snuggle. I usually do have a bear or something that I hold on to while I sleep.”

            “It’s okay. I like to snuggle sometimes too. I’m usually the one doing the holding though.” I instantly blush when she says this. I try to hide it but she lifts my chin up so blue meets brown in the most intense stare. I want to look away but I can’t. In that moment I know she sees everything I have been thinking. I know she sees the love I have for her. She leans close to me and my heart begins to race as I think she is going to kiss me. Instead she leans to my ear as I close my eyes.

            “Save me Spencer.” She softly whispers into my ear and my eyes spring open. I stare at her wide eyed not believing what I just heard. Does she know what happened last night? “I know. I remember the dream. I also remember that you were there to hold me. I believe that you are the one that can save me.” I see the tear fall and instantly reach out to wipe it away. When my hand touches her cheek she grabs it with her own hand. She leans into my hand and sighs.

            “I will do my best to save you. I’m not perfect though. There will be times that I will let you down and possibly hurt you. I’ll try my hardest to help you.”

            “You have already done so much to help me. I’m not worried about you hurting me. I’m worried about me hurting you.”

            “Ashley, I can handle it. You wont hurt me. You have already helped me with so much. I wouldn’t understand or know who I am without you. You helped me find myself. You made me realize that it’s okay to be who I am. I didn’t think that before. I was too worried about what everyone else thought about me and then I met you and you showed me how to be free. You are such a great person.” I lean in and wrap my arms around her as she starts to cry softly.

            “You bring out the good in me Spence. You make me feel like I’m a better person. That is better than any drug or alcohol has ever made me feel. This is something that lasts. I wish I would have met you before I did all of that. Then I would be a really great person. Not the mess you see now.”

            “Ash, you are not a mess. You are a wonderful person who is way to hard on themselves. Everything happens for a reason. You went through all of that to make you stronger.”

            “What if I’m not strong enough to make it through it all?”

            “That is what I’m here for. Whenever you feel like you can’t make it you lean on me and I will carry you through it until you are strong enough again. Let me help you Ash.”

            “Are you sure you can handle this? Can you handle me?”

            “Yes. There is not a doubt in my mind that we can do this together. I’m not going to leave you Ash.” She hugs me again this time a little tighter as if she is clinging to me. I feel her melt into me as I hold her and I know that in that moment she trusted me fully.

            “I love you too Spencer.”