Elizabeth smiled brightly when Dembe opened the door. Red stood waiting, and smiled when he saw her.

"Look at you! You're absolutely radiant! She's glowing, Dembe. Isn't she glowing?"

"She is glowing."

She hugged Dembe and then went to Red and hugged him as well.

He squeezed her tight.

"How are you? How was your trip?"

She tilted her head. She knew he knew.

"Mrs. Elizabeth Spader."

Elizabeth sat down, as did Red.

"Actually, it's Elizabeth Reddington-Spader," she smiled, and Red grinned.

"Oh, Lizzie," he said, hugging her again, "thank you."

"Jimmy's at work, or he'd have come, too."

"I understand."

Elizabeth looked down and then back up. "Look…I want to apologize, for the last time I was here. I was upset, and confused." She paused. "We're family. I can't walk away from that."

Red looked at her, swallowed, and then nodded.

"Lizzie, I'd understand, if you wanted to-"

"I don't want to. I love you."

Red smiled. "I love you, too, Elizabeth."

The moment felt profound, for everyone in the room, including Dembe, who was sitting nearby.

"Would you like some lunch?" Red asked, breaking the silence. "I've made a wonderful risotto with some of those lovely little baby potatoes…"

"Um, sure…" Annie smiled.

"Serve it warm. I find that a nice red, pairs perfectly."

Annie smiled and nodded, taking the leftovers out the door.

Red walked to the couch and sat down and sighed, smoothed his pants and crossed his legs.

"What a lovely visit!"

Dembe looked at him.

"When will you tell her?"

Raymond chewed the inside of his gum.

"I won't."

"Raymond, you are finally in a good place with her."

"And I won't chance losing that."

Dembe stood up. "If she finds out…"

Red watched Dembe leave the room. He crossed his arms and closed his eyes. When he was almost asleep, he heard the cell phone ring, and Dembe brought it to him.

"Yes," he answered.

A pause, and then, "Well, isn't today just full of surprises! Of course, I'll be there."

Red closed the phone and handed it back to Dembe. "Have Edward ready the jet. We're going to Nanterre."

Red carried two dozen roses through the Ecoles de Danse opera house. When he heard his name, he turned with a smile.

"Raymond! Darling!"

"Misha, Dear! You look ravishing!" Red cooed, handing her the roses.

Misha laughed and took the flowers. "Oh, my! Thank you!"

She looked at Dembe.

"And this is?"

"My associate, Dembe Zuma."

"Bonjour, Monsieur," she said, extending her hand to be kissed. Dembe glanced at Raymond and then shook her hand.

Red laughed, as did Misha.

"I take it you're top-notch?"

"Oh, yes. Your doctors are miracle workers! I am lead in La Veuve Joyeuse!"

"Congratulations!"

"Well, let's not stand out here. Please, come into my dressing room."

"Let's do!"

Raymond and Dembe followed the pretty prima ballerina into a large room adorned with racks of costumes, a large lighted vanity, and flowers everywhere. She added the roses alongside the rest of the flowers.

"I have to practice in half an hour, but I wanted to meet with you to discuss your tickets, as promised." She leaned closer to Red, "And, of course, to apologize for that silliness at that horrible 'acquisition'."

Red laughed heartily. "My Dear, I consider being 'acquisitioned' a great flattery."

Misha laughed, and Dembe looked at him.

"Well," she said, going to her vanity and writing something down and handing it to Red, "here is where I am staying. I would love to have dinner with you tonight, if you are free."

Red took the paper and folded it. "I would love that!"

"Very good," she said, and then kissed him on each cheek.

"Mr. Zuma, it was a pleasure to meet you," she said as she gracefully left, and Dembe nodded.

Red smiled and put his hat on, and the two left the opera house and went back to their hotel.

Red arrived at Misha's room at eight o'clock sharp, carrying a bottle of wine. It was a bit late for dinner, he thought, but no matter. Misha opened the door wearing only a bathrobe, and Red was only half surprised.

"Raymond, come in, please."

He kissed her on the cheek and handed her the wine.

"Thank you. Always bringing me such lovely gifts."

"Only the best for the best."

"Oh…you are all dressed up. I am not ready." She paused. "I thought we could stay in?"

"Whatever you like."

"I have some delicious fruit for us."

"Lovely!"

Red sat down at a small table and opened the bottle of wine as Misha sat two glasses on the table and joined him.

He poured the wine as she picked up a piece of papaya and held it to him. He opened his mouth and she placed it on his tongue and then licked her fingers and took a sip of the wine.

"Mmm…delicious. So fresh! Rare, this time of year."

Misha pulled the hair pins out of her hair, letting her long locks fall around her.

"So, tell me all about your recovery."

Misha shifted in her seat and raised her leg, placed her bare foot between Raymond's legs.

"See for yourself."

He cleared his throat and looked down.

"No scars. Beautiful." He paused. "So, you'll be outstanding for your comeback performance!"

Misha laughed and stood up.

"Raymond," she began as she untied her robe and let it fall to the floor, "I didn't really invite you here for dinner. Or conversation."

Red hesitated.

"Yes, I can see that."

"I want to make love to you."

Raymond looked at her and sighed.

"I can see that, also."

"Please don't say no," she said, letting her lips brush his, "or you may just hurt my feelings."

Raymond touched her hair. "Well," he said softly, "we wouldn't want that, now would we?"

Misha smiled and tugged on his tie, pulling him from his chair, and leading him into her bedroom.

Raymond fell happily back onto the bed. "Now…I happen to know that they didn't teach you that in dance class."

Misha laughed, laid next to him.

"You are a very…attentive lover, Raymond," she said, trailing her fingers up and down his chest. "I like that."

He kissed her tenderly. "I'm very glad, my Dear," he whispered.

"I don't know why you wouldn't take your shirt off, Darling."

"I'm more…portly than I was six years ago," he chuckled.

Misha playfully tapped him on the chest. "You are wonderful."

"It's plainly been a life of decadence. What can I say?"

Just then, his cell phone rang.

"Oh, damn these things!" he scoffed, raising up and pulling the phone from his suit jacket. "Yes?" he answered. "I see. Well, send the car. I'll be down in ten minutes." He slapped the phone shut and turned to Misha. "Business. You have my number, yes?"

"Yes."

Red kissed her once more, and then began to get dressed.

Red hurried into the jet.

"Where's Elizabeth?"

"There's no answer at the beach house."

"Tell Edward to get us there yesterday."

Dembe nodded, quickly went to the cockpit. Within minutes, they were in the air.