While love is a beautiful thing, it?s also a force of nature. For Stephen Trono, the intense love of his wife and family is the only reason he?s alive today.

(911 call:) Dispatcher: what's going on out there? Caller: my mom just accidentally shot my dad.

Several years before that early July morning in 2010, Stephen Trono was single and developed property in Bend.

Then one day, Angelique came into his life.

?So he came down to introduce himself and welcome me to the neighborhood, but I definitely did feel, that I felt like he was checking me out, gosh what is with this guy,? Angelique Trono said recently.

Stephen offered her a job, but during the job interview, Angelique says she knew something was up.

?Finally I just stopped and said are you really interested in hiring somebody?? Angelique said. ?He says, 'Not originally, I'll make a position for you. But to be honest, I'm more interested in dating you.'?

They bonded almost immediately.

?I always loved her attitude, her heart,? said Stephen Trono.

?It was just his charm and his enthusiasm for life,? Angelique said. ?I mean he's just one of those people, I always tell people he's only got two speeds: it's stop and go.?

They got married, raised four boys together and made a home in Bend.

Stephen continued his work as a property developer.

Angelique helped home school their children.

Then in 1996, their home in Redmond caught fire.

And 11 years later, their large Bend home also caught fire.

That ignited some suspicion from authorities.

?The insurance company, Safeco, has many resources, and all I can say is that they voluntarily settled a claim for more than the claim was, and they're insuring us now,? said Stephen.

?They went through everything,? added Angelique. ?They have unlimited resources. We've gone through many psychological profiling sessions, they went through our finances.?

The family moved into rental homes.

While the family debated moving into a more permanent home, life went on.

Angelique threw Stephen a surprise 60th birthday party around New Year's Eve of 2010.

At that private party, they say, an intruder attacked Angelique in the facility?s bathroom.

?There was somebody standing on top of a toilet seat and they assaulted her,? Stephen said.

The assault left Angelique with post-traumatic stress.

It also made Stephen angry.