Gerard stood in the grocery store aisle, the hum of fluorescent lights above him mixing with distant chatter of other shoppers. The cool air carried faint smells of fresh produce from the next aisle as he pushed his half-full cart slowly. Lindsey hadn't come with him this time. Or last time. Or really at all in a long time. She didn't really spend much time with him anymore.

He reached for a box of cereal, his fingers brushing against the cool cardboard, when movement at the end of the aisle caught his eye. There you were, standing in front of the pasta shelves. When Gerard saw you, his heart skipped a beat and warmth spread across his cheeks. "Oh my god... is that..." he thought, his pulse quickening. "Is that them?"

He hesitated for a moment, then took a few steps toward you, his shoes squeaking softly against the polished floor. Reaching out, he tapped your shoulder gently, his hand trembling slightly with nervousness.