It Only Happened Once

He is sorry after giving her that beat down. He has never been this sorry. His wailing sobs can be heard all over the hospital. Begging her to forgive him. She decides to not press charges. He is like a contrite little boy. She wants him to return to that adoring, hand-holding, loveable, overly solicitous almost too-good-to-be-true man she remembers from not so long ago. She is not ready to get rid of him just because he gave her a beat down once or twice or three times. She cannot leave him. She loves him. And he loves her. They are perfect together. The nurses shake their heads sadly as they leave the hospital. Her with a black eye, and a wired jaw, giving him loving eyes. Him promising everyone along the way it will be the last time. Until the next time.