Moriah took a deep breath, opening the door to her husband's hospital room. It had been nearly two years since they'd been told he had to stay there constantly. Now, Micaiah was 18, and getting ready for college. She went in, the same hope still filling her, the hope that he would know who she was.....And he wouldn't forget.

"Joel?" She asked quietly, sitting down beside him. He slowly opened his eyes, blinking.
"M....Mo?" He whispered, and her breath caught in her throat.
"Joely?" He smiled weakly at her, the little twinkle in his eyes coming back.
"Hey, Mo. Where....where are the girls?" She sighed sadly, gently squeezing his hand.
"Nayamiah.....she's gone, remember?" He nodded slowly, leaning back, tears in his eyes.
"But....Micaiah....Is she alright?" Moriah managed a weak smile.
"She's okay. She misses you, though." Confusion crossed his face, and then realization.....And then shock, pain, and grief.

"Why would she.....Oh. Oh, no. No, no, no. The last two years.....I've been....Oh, God no. Please, no. No, not her too, God. I can't lose her too." He remembered almost every day of the last two years, and she could see that. He started crying, his whole body shaking with sobs as he realized what had happened. Moriah moved closer, wrapping her arms around him, and he hugged her back.

"What have I done, Mo? What have I done?" He whispered. She blinked back tears, holding him close.
"It wasn't your fault. It really wasn't, Joel." She said quietly, and then there was a knock at at the door. They pulled back, looking towards the door as Micaiah came in.

"Caiah....." He whispered, and her eyes widened in shock.
"D...dad?" She asked quietly, looking at her mum, who nodded. He patted the bed beside him, and she went over, crawling on and scooting close to him. Joel wrapped an arm around her, holding her close as tears slowly slid down her cheeks. She choked down a sob, burying her face in his shoulder. Moriah smiled, feeling like her heart was about to burst. She'd dreamed of this day for so long, and now it was reality.

A couple hours later, Luke came in, and he froze, his heart pounding. His hands were shaking visibly, and he grabbed the wall, his legs nearly giving out.

"Moriah? Is...is he.....?" She nodded, and Joel looked up from where he was playing a game of checkers with Micaiah. Tears welled up in Joel's eyes, and he felt a lump in his throat.

"Luke....I'm......I'm so sorry. I don't know what happened to me, Luke. I just......I'm sorry." He whispered. Luke managed a smile, coming over and hugging his older brother.

"Don't you ever do that to us again. Don't you dare." He whispered, holding him close. Joel nodded, blinking back tears.

"I won't. I promise." About ten days later, he was finally allowed to go home, and it was the most wonderful thing ever for his wife and daughter. They got home, and Micaiah turned on the radio....And Missing was playing.

I threw your picture in the fire
I watched you melt away
You turned to smoke
You burned my eyes
But I couldn't escape
My love for you remains
So why was I afraid?

When you were next to me
Why didn't I tell you
You were so good to me
And why didn't I just
Take back everything I said to you
And take back everything I put you through
Why didn't I tell you?

They said we never would survive
And I believed the lies
And then their words were verified
And I replaced my heart for your demise
But you were always on my side

When you were next to me
Why didn't I tell you
You were so good to me
And why didn't I just
Take back everything I said to you
And take back everything I put you through
Why didn't I tell you

I love the way you understand
The way you love
When no one was looking
That you were beautiful
And you were worth it all
And you're everything I need
You capture my attention, did I mention
I think you're beautiful, darling
If I could tell you now
I'd tell you how my world is dark
Now that you're missing
Now that you're missing

When you were next to me
Why didn't I tell you
You were so good to me
And why didn't I just
Take back everything I said to you
And take back everything I put you through

Why didn't I tell you

They found Micaiah in her room a little while later, giggling at a video for that same song.

"What's so funny?" She showed them the video, and it was a fan-made video.....With stuffed animals. They all laughed, watching it with her. As they sat together, laughing and thinking about how far they'd come, Joel smiled. The last two years would haunt him for the rest of his life......But he had his family back now. He was no longer missing.