Mr. Dixon said, 'Now, you have my card if you have any questions or if you need any legal advice.'

John said, 'Yes.'

Paula said, 'Yes we do. Thank you.'

Mr. Dixon said, 'You're welcome' and left the apartment.

With all the paperwork, Paula and John were officially divorced. It was as easy as it  could be under any circumstances. Paula still had to pack a few more things from the apartment. John was like a man waking up from under anesthesia and he didn't feel anything. Paula didn't want to ask what to do with the old memorabilia she and John collected over the years; stuff like their wedding pictures, sea shells from their first anniversary at the beach, their romantic music cd's Philip burned, and even their family portrait with John, Paula, Philip, Franzi, Emily, and Daniel.

Making around the clock trips to the hospital and the apartment, the weekend passed by very fast. She went over to the apartment when John wasn't there. Paula was atleast decent enough to not drive the knife through his body. Paula had dinner with Franzi every night. Sadly, Franzi was stuck on hospital food while Paula had regular salad and Lo Mein chicken in front of her.

Franzi gave Paula the look and said, 'How can you eat that right in front of me?'

Paula gloated and said, 'Mmmmm' and finished 'quite easy' with a noodle between her teeth.

Franzi responded by growling at Paula like a hungry bear smelling fresh meat. 'Is John handling everything well; with you moving in with me?'

Paula held back but said, 'He's..uh....He's taking it one step at a time. One giant jump down to Earth and then one step on the ground.'

Franzi asked, 'Do you think he blames me for everything?'

Paula answered, 'I think he's more contempt with me than he is mad at you.'

Franzi asked, 'What?'

Paula said, 'I don't think he's all mad at you. Mostly with me for leaving him a second time.'

Franzi said, 'Philip told me he had an attack when you left before; that he fell on the floor at the train station.'

Paula said, 'Yes.'

Franzi observed, 'I'm only thinking that...well, if he blamed me for your leaving the first time, who's to say he doesn't blame me for this?'

Paula replied, 'I am to say.' Paula held Franzi's hands together with her own and continued, 'Franzi, I told him that THIS was MY decision. I wasn't influenced by lust, confusion, or guilt. It was ALL...ME.'

Franzi exhaled and said, 'I'm only saying all this because my doctors told me there might be some residual guilt or anxiety after going through...what we went through.'

Paula said, 'Aye. But there's no need to judge yourself or to put yourself in other people's feelings toward you. It was there and I know how I feel about you.'

Franzi looked at Paula's face and asked, 'How do you feel about me? Knowing what I did..and..why I did it.'

Paula didn't treat this like a loaded question with a bullet for an answer. She answered in a simple manner.

Using sign language and talking, Paula said, 'I...LOVE...YOU.'

Franzi exhaled through her nose, smiled, and said 'I believe you.' Then Franzi said, 'Umm, is it alright if I make one request before you go?'

Paula answered, 'Of course.'

Franzi said, 'Since you'll be living in the flatshare, with me, do you think...that..maybe we could....finish everyday' then Franzi gulped and finished in a clear voice 'dancing to romantic music?' She just got that last part out looking at Paula's face half expecting Paula to drop her jaw.

Instead of dropping her jaw, Paula put her hand palm to Franzi's and said, 'I would love to.'

Franzi asked, 'Really?'

Paula nodded "Yes" and said, 'Really.'

Franzi said, 'Ich Liebe Dich, Paula.'

Paula kissed Franzi on the lips. 'Ich Liebe Dich, auch Franzi.' And they kissed each other on the lips 5 times before calling it a night. Each time, before a kiss, one of them would say 'Ich Liebe Dich'; back and forth, taking turns saying 'I Love You' in their own way.

Franzi's psychological checkup came normal. Her session took an hour while Paula was away in the day. Among his questions, the doctor asked Franzi if she was only answering the way she thought he wanted her to. She denied it whole heartedly with an "I can't believe you just asked me that" look on her face. But Franzi was as sane as the next maniac in love.

Dr. Burke commented, 'Speaking as one who spent time in the lunatic asylum, I can assure you that being crazy isn't as bad as it is made out to be.'

Franzi giggled and Burke responded, 'Ah. The patient reacts well to humorous stimulation. A good sign.' And he dabbled on his chart.

Franzi asked, 'So, what's the verdict? Can I go home?'

Dr. Burke answered, 'Miss Reuter, you're healthier than anybody I've known who had their lungs filled with smoke.'

Franzi said, 'That's not really a regular thing for me.'

Dr. Burke wrote and said, 'Good. Smoking will kill you worse than a gunshot to the head at point blank range.'