Chapter 28: Blossoming

In the wee hours of Saturday morning, when not even a hint of the moon could be found in the dark, cloud filled skies, and the pitter patter of rain could be heard between the claps of thunder, Laura shifted restlessly in Remington's embrace. Eyes blinking open, she was unsure what had roused her, until the next round of piercing screams resonated from the monitor on the table next to Remington's side of the bed. This time, he jolted awake, as well, bleary eyes searching the room, as Laura pressed up into a sitting position.

"Go back to sleep, sweetheart. I'll take care of it." Closing his eyes, he nodded, gratefully, the corners of his lips twitching upwards when she pressed a kiss to his cheek. As she struggled for her feet and fumbled for her robe at the foot of the bed, a smile of her own lifted her lips as she heard the conversation on the monitor.

"It's okay, Sophie," Olivia's voice came over the monitor. A rustling sound crossed the monitor. "I'll sleep with you. It's okay."

Pride infused Laura's heart, making it ache. She had never imagined she could be so proud of one human being, yet it had been the case since Olivia arrived in the world, and with each passing day, she only grew more so. Olivia was bright, funny, good natured – for the most part – and intelligent and articulate beyond her years. Laura suspected the last was a side-effect of having spent three years surrounded by adults at the Agency. But she knew, beyond a shadow of a doubt, where her daughter's compassionate heart hailed. That was her father, through-and-through.

She found the girls in Sophie's bed together facing one another, Livvie patting the other little girl's arm.

"You're a good friend, Livvie Bee," she leaned down and whispered into her daughter's ear, then kissed her on the cheek.

"Sophie's scared," Olivia explained.

"I see that," Laura acknowledged as she rounded the small bed, to sit on the other side of Sophie. She lay a hand on the little girl's trembling back and began to rub. "Sophie, do you want to tell me about it?"

"I… want… my… Mommy," the little girl sobbed.

"I know you do, baby. And I promise you, if she could be here with you, she would be. She loved you so, so much," Laura soothed. Another clap of thunder sounded, making Sophie jump and cry louder. With a nod, Laura made an executive decision. "Alright, girls, let's go get in bed with Da." Olivia sat up and stared at her mother, wide-eyed. It was a very rare treat when she was permitted to sleep with her parents, generally only when she was very sick. "Let's go." She stood and held out her arm towards the door.

Olivia bolted from the bed, tugging at Sophie's hand.

"C'mon, Sophie!"

Sophie crawled out from beneath sheet and comforter and followed behind Olivia into Laura and Remington's room, her feet stalling at the edge of the bed, while Olivia tumbled into it. Remington's eyes blinked open again, staring into a bright blue pair of eyes that matched his own, then looked towards Laura with confusion.

"The storm," she mouthed.

His eyes widened in a silent Ahhhhh of recognition, as Olivia snuggled in next to him, and Laura encouraged Sophie up and in. Soon, the two girls were sound asleep between them, Olivia's back nestled against Remington's chest and facing Sophie, who was nestled against Laura and her expanding stomach. Only when Remington's hand reached for Laura's, their fingers weaving together, did she, too, sleep.


Remington woke to a small hand patting his cheek.

"Da. Da!" Opening his eyes, he found Olivia peering back at him, while her legs restlessly squirmed about. "I have to go potty." With ease, he lifted his small daughter, and turning, set her on her feet on the floor.

"Off with you, then, mo stor," he directed. "Da will be in to help you dress in just a moment."

He watched Olivia half-dance, half-run from the room, then turned to face Laura. At some point during the morning hours, Sophie had turned away from Livvie and to Laura, and now slept with her head tucked against Laura's bosom and hand grasping her waist. Whether consciously or unconsciously, he didn't know, Laura had returned the young girl's embrace, an arm wrapped around the child's back and a hand cradling the back of her head. Leaning down, he touched his lips to Laura's forehead, then rolled out of their bed.

Saturday mornings meant time for he and Olivia exclusively. For two years, bi-weekly early field times at the polo club had meant having to alter their Saturday plans. When he and Laura had decided to have a second child, he'd finally put his foot down: as a longtime member of the club, either field time was changed to mid-day or he'd move his horse, and his hefty annual fees, to another club. These days, his and Olivia's Saturday morning traditions were no longer interfered with, nor were his and Laura's date nights.

After a quick shave then a change of clothing into a pair of jeans, a chambray oxford and tennis shoes, he slipped out of the bathroom to find Sophie sitting up, sleep dazed and trying to assimilate her environment. He plucked her up off the bed before she could think.

"Come along, Sophie, Lady Olivia awaits and should we wait too long she'll call for both our heads," he announced good naturedly, hoisting her onto a hip as he left the master bedroom. He ignored her wide-eyed look. "Do you need to use the bathroom?" At the nod of her head, he dropped her to her feet in the guest bath. "There you go. Have a brush of your teeth while you're at it then come get dressed, hmmm?" The little girl nodded solemnly and he took his leave.

In the girls' bedroom he found Olivia standing on tiptoe in front of her closet, attempting to yank one of her fancier dresses from a hanger.

"And what are you about, Livvie Bee?" Remington inquired, bemused.

"Granddad and Grans are coming," she reminded him excitedly.

"Ahhh, that they are, but not until lunch. And we don't wish for one of Grans' pretties to be soiled by our breakfast and errands, now do we?" he proposed, sweeping her up and plopping her on the bed. "So, for now, what's say we keep things simple, hmmm?" He selected two skirt/shirt combos from the closet for she and Sophie, then retrieved tights from their dresser and shoes from closet. Sophie returned from the bathroom in time to find Remington dressing Olivia, as the latter prattled on about what they might make for breakfast that morning. The little girl stood barely inside the door watching the unfamiliar scene of a father helping his daughter dress, happily so, at that, while conducting a running conversation with her.

"Your turn, Sophie girl," Remington announced turning his blue eyes to her once Olivia was dressed. Warily, Sophie approached him. He made it a point to keep up the chatter with Olivia as he assisted Sophie, trying to put the little girl at ease, pausing when the little girl jerked and what passed as a giggle crossed her lips. He turned a mischievous grin on the little girl. "Ticklish then, are you?" With that he playfully dug his fingers into her sides, and, helplessly, her gales of laughter trickled across the room.

"Me, too, Da! Me, too!" Olivia chortled excitedly, and quick as a wink he had both girls on the floor, laughing and screeching. "Get Da! Get Da!" Olivia eventually gasped, and Remington, per tradition, collapsed on the ground and laughed as first Olivia, then eventually Sophie, took their turns at tickling him.

"You win, you win," he declared after a minute or so, dragging both down for a buss on the forehead. "You girls are far superior ticklers than I," he decreed, before standing and sweeping a little girl up under each arm and carrying them like potato sacks to the bathroom, as Olivia continued to laugh with glee. With both girls' hair quickly, and with ease, pulled back in ponytails, he escorted them downstairs to the kitchen, where he lifted them onto the barstools stationed at the kitchen island for just this purpose.

"So, what's it to be, Livvie Bee? Eggs, sausage and French Toast, or bacon, waffles and fruit, eh?" he inquired as he filled a kettle with water and set it upon the stove.

"Waffles!" she insisted, as he knew he would. Waffles meant she'd be permitted to ladle the batter into the waffle iron, and fill the fruit bowls to her heart's content.

"Waffles it is, then," he agreed easily, stacking the island with the necessary items for the meal. "So, mo stor, tell me all about preschool happenings this week," he requested, as he quickly and efficiently diced and sliced the fruit the girls would then place into the bowls. Olivia regaled him with stories of Belinda spilling paint all over herself, Molly skinning her knee on the playground, and Matthew pulling girls' hair.

"Billy eats all our paste!" Sophie ventured into the conversation. Disguising his surprise, he lifted a bemused brow at the little girl.

"Well, that doesn't seem a tasty snack, now does it? Not unless one, say, uses it for icing on a cupcake." Both little girls' eyes widened in disgust.

"Ewwwwwwwwwwwwwww," the proclaimed in unison.

By the time Laura wandered downstairs, wrapped in her robe, both girls were chattering away. She stumble-stepped at the scene before her. Sophie? Willingly, and happily conversing? Remington caught the look of surprise on her face, and leaned down as she poured herself a cup of tea, speaking in undertones, "Apparently a good round of tickling goes a long way," he informed her, then thought to add, "Or perhaps she finds cuddling up to you a cure for her ills as I do, hmmmm." Laughing, she swatted at his arm, and joined the conversation at the bar.

A few minutes later, Melina joined the fray, and soon the family was seated at the dining table enjoying breakfast with one another. Both girls continued the regale the table with stories of preschool, when suddenly Olivia sat up straight remembering something. Wiggling down from her seat, she ran to the entryway then returned with her backpack.

"We're having a Balentine Day party!" she declared.

"Valentine's Day," Laura corrected gently, emphasizing the 'v'.

"We have to bring cards and treats," Livvie continued, pulling a red sheet of paper out of her bag and shoving it under Laura's nose. Skimming it, Laura passed the paper on to Remington.

"Then perhaps while we run our errands today, we should see about buying those cards?" he suggested. Olivia's face lit up, and she nodded enthusiastically, while Sophie sat quietly. "Sophie? Do you not wish to?" he asked gently. Realizing she, too, was to be included on this excursion, she nodded happily. "Then off you both get," he ordered, with a relaxed wave of his hand. "Hands washed, teeth brushed, and then we'll leave." The two girls scrambled from their places to run upstairs.

"The difference in Sophia today is remarkable," Melina observed, as the three adults cleared the table.

"Goes to show how well a goodnight's rest can bode a person," Remington answered. Melina narrowed her eyes at him.

"I suspect you've a hand in this, Xen." He shrugged a careless shoulder.

"I've done nothing more than include Sophie in my and Olivia's morning antics," he dismissed.

"And in doing so, showed Sophia not all men will pretend she doesn't exist or threaten to harm her," she nodded her approval.

"A lesson Marcos taught me well, if you recall," he reminded her.

"Papa's a good man, Xen," she wrapped her arms around his neck, "And so are you. I'm proud to have you as my brother." Embarrassed, he quickly bussed Melina on the cheek, then grasping Laura's hand drug her from the kitchen under Melina's knowing laughter.

"We'll be back in plenty of time for Father's arrival," he told Laura, drawing her to him. "Perhaps now would be a good time to discuss with Lina your plans for helping other women in Clarissa's situation?" he suggested with lifted brows.

"I'd planned to," she answered, then gave him a pert grin. "Are you sure you're up to two three-year-olds for this little excursion of yours, Mr. Steele?" she teased, toying with the hair on the back of his neck.

"Mmmmm, if you see it as such a challenge then perhaps I should expect a reward for a job well done this evening if successful?" he suggested, whilst toying with a tendril of hair. Warm brown eyes smiled up at him.

"I imagine that could be arranged," she agreed, stroking a hand over his shoulder, then down his back.

"L'Ornate or Chez Rives for dinner this evening?" She tilted her head and gave it consideration.

"I was thinking the club? It may be our last chance for an evening of dancing before the baby arrives." He lowered a hand to rest on her stomach.

"And how is Baby Steele this morning?" She lifted her brows at him.

"Sleeping, would be my guess, and hopefully remains that way so I can get a few things done around here this morning." He leaned down and stole a kiss from her lips, then gave her bottom a teasing smack, which earned him a feigned glare.

"I'll make the reservations from the car," he promised, as Livvie and Sophie came charging down the stairs, then leaned in for one more quick kiss.

"Alright, girls, you be good for Da," Laura instructed Livvie and Sophie before leaning down and giving each a hug and a kiss. "I'll see you when you get home."

"Yes, Mommy," Olivia answered, while Sophie nodded her head in answer. She stood back and watched as the threesome departed, then rejoined Melina in the kitchen.

"Melina, in case I haven't said it lately, thank you for all your help with the children," Laura told her sister-in-law she took her position in front of the sink and began rinsing plates and placing them in the dishwasher while Melina wiped down table and counters.

"It is family," Melina replied, dismissively.

"Still, I know you came here looking for time to clear your head, figure things out. That can't be easy to do while chasing two active preschoolers around." She pursed her lips, then plunged in. "Have you figured anything out yet?" Melina stopped wiping the counter, and stilled for long seconds, before resuming to the task.

"As much as I miss my family, I can no longer envision my future in Oia," she answered quietly. "Before Giorgos and I met, I had been making plans to move to Recco or Marseille. To find a career, a future for myself. Oia is not large, and so long as I remain there, I will work for Papa, and likely never meet the man I am intended to marry, have a family with." She sighed. "I will spend my last years as an old maid, never having accomplished anything more than working for my father."

"It sounds like you've made a decision," Laura observed. Melina nodded her head slowly.

"I like Los Angeles. There are many opportunities here, and the water is near at hand." She sighed again. "I cannot imagine living anywhere without the ocean, the sea nearby. And I like having time with my brother… and you and Olivia as well. I feel I am at last making up time for all those years Xen was lost to us."

"And Marcos and Elena? Will they approve?" Laura wondered. The Adrokus family was bathed in Greek tradition, and generally an unmarried woman remained at home.

"They know Xen will watch over me, be certain no harm befalls me, that I bring no shame upon our family. They would entrust me to him, the same as they would Zeth or Christos." She paused again at length. "If I have overstayed my wel—"

"No!" Laura cut in, adamantly. "God, no. We love having you here with us, and so does Olivia – despite what her behavior at times might suggest." The two women laughed. Turning off the water in the sink, Laura turned and leaned her backside against the counter. "Actually, if you were planning to remain in LA, there's something I'd like to speak with you about. A job proposition." Melina's green eyes glimmered with interest.

"A job?" she queried. Laura nodded, then filled her in on their plans to aid women and families in crisis. "And you wish me to work for this foundation?"

"Actually, Xen and I were thinking more along of the lines of you and Jocelyn, if she's interested, in running it. How you divvied up the responsibilities would be up to the two of you, although I suspect Jocelyn's interests would lay towards furnishing the homes, providing wardrobes for the families, making certain holiday needs are met." She mulled it over further. "Which means you would be working hand-in-hand with the attorney we hire, vetting families, assisting with job placement, making sure the families are meeting long and short term goals. Xen and I would establish the foundation, locate and purchase the homes, and make certain any maintenance needs are addressed." She lifted her shoulders and dropped them. "With the Agency, we just don't have time to run the foundation as well."

"And the children? Who would care for them?" Melina questioned. Laura's brows knit together, it was a matter she and Remington hadn't even discussed. "Baby Steele, like Olivia, will be with Xen and I at the office until he or she begins preschool. As for Olivia…" She shook her head slowly "I guess we'll need to start looking into hiring a nanny." She groaned inwardly. How had they come to the point that they were one of 'those people' who needed a Nanny for their family to run efficiently?

"Olivia…" Melina let the name linger for a long second. "So, you do not intend for Sophie to remain here with you and Xen?"

"I don't know. We don't know," she answered, as a stab of guilt pricked at her. "With the Agency, Olivia, Baby Steele on the way. Would it be fair to anyone if we did?" Did she imagine the flash of disapproval in Melina's eyes? She wasn't sure.

"If you choose not to do so, I will take her. I will raise her," Melina volunteered. Laura stared at the younger woman, flabbergasted.

"You'd do that?" she asked, unable to keep the surprise from being heard in her voice. Melina gave a definitive, affirmative nod.

"I would. I, my family, spent a decade worrying about Xen. I will not do the same for Sophie," she explained. "I will love her as though she were my own, same as Mama and Papa did Xen."

"I…" Laura stumbled. "I don't know what to say." Melina waved her off with a flick of her hand.

"Tell me more about this foundation…"


Remington and the girls returned forty-five minutes before his Father and Catherine were due to arrive. In year's past, it had been tradition for the Steele's to meet the Marquess and Marchioness at the airport upon their arrival. However, even the limo, which sat five comfortably, would be a stretch with a very pregnant Laura and now Sophie in tow as well. As such, Fred had been dispatched to LAX on his own, while Laura and Remington waited in the Holmby Hills home.

"Mommy," Olivia ran into the living room excitedly, when they'd returned home, Sophie close on her heels, "Sophie and me got Balentines!"

"Sophie and I got Valentines," Laura gently corrected, emphasizing the 'v' once again. "Did you pick them out yourselves?"

"We did! Da said we could get whatever we wanted!" Olivia answered.

"And, quite an ordeal it turned out to be," Remington added, with a lifted brow and half smile. "Who knew there would be some many types from which to pick? It's preposterous." Laura laughed in answer.

"I think that speaks more to how often you'll deign to shop in a discount store, than it does as a reflection on the retail sector of America," she teased, the returned her attention to the girls. "So, let me see. What did you finally settle on?"

"I got Snow White," Olivia offered, pulling the thing cardboard box from her bag and shoving it at Laura, "'Cuz she and I got the same color hair."

"She and I have the same color," Laura corrected automatically. "They're a very good choice, Livvie. You did well." Livvie smiled from ear-to-ear at the praise.

"And Da bought us lollipops to stick to them," she added, holding her bag open for Laura to peek inside.

"So he did, Laura confirmed, then turned to Sophie. "Soph, what about you?" A smile lighting both lips and eyes, Sophie pulled a box from her own bag and held it out. Laura's brows lifted in surprise, fully expecting Sleeping Beauty. "Kittens?"

"Mommy said she'd get me a kitty for my birthday," Sophie explained, voluntarily, surprising both adults.

"She did?" Sophie nodded vigorously. "What type of kitty did you want?"

"Like this," she turned over the box, and pointed to a raven colored, long-haired cat with eyes bordering on orange.

"That's a very pretty kitty," Laura complimented, as she lifted her eyes to Remington in question. Peering over Sophia's shoulder, he shrugged one shoulder, having no idea what breed the feline was. "You made an excellent choice with your Valentines, Sophie." The little girl beamed. "Alright, girls, take your Valentines up to your room and I'll be right up to get you dressed for Granddad and Grans arrival." Laura accepted Remington's proffered hand. He helped her to her feet, then watched as she ascended the stairs in the girls' wake.

By the time the doorbell chimed an hour later, the groceries were put away, Remington was putting the final touches on the lunch table and a lasagna was baking in the oven. Melina puttered about the kitchen, placing the salad in the refrigerator and turning her attention to the task of preparing the garlic bread for the oven. Two little girls sat on the floor, coloring, dressed in their Sunday best, their hair French braided and bows, matching their dresses, tying their hair at the end. Laura, descending the stairs with Melina, opened the door to welcome their guests.

"Granddad!" Olivia screeched, as she raced across the living room, then skittered across the entryway, throwing herself into Thomas arms as he knelt to greet her. Easily, the tall, lean man lifted her in his arms, exchanging hugs with her. If there was any man who owned the little girl's heart second to her father, it was her Granddad, with her Pappouli coming in a close third.

"You must have grown an inch since last I saw you, young lady," Thomas exclaimed. He and Catherine had departed a month before, after their stay for the holidays, in order to attend to business back in England. Olivia clasped Thomas's cheeks between her small hands.

"Sophie and I went Balentine shopping with Da this morning. Wanna see?" Thomas smiled down at his granddaughter.

"There is little I can think of that I'd enjoy more," he told her, seriously. "But first, perhaps, you should say your greeting to your grandmother, don't you think?" Olivia nodded enthusiastically than wriggled to be put down.

"Grans!" Olivia greeted just enthusiastically, throwing her arms around Catherine's neck when she squatted down, demurely. "Do you wanna see my Balentines?" Catherine bussed the little girl on the cheek, then nodded.

"I should think that I do," she agreed.

"Wait right here and I'll go get them!" Olivia ordered, then turned and ran up the stairs.

"Father," Remington greeted, giving Thomas a hug. "Business matters all situated for the moment?"

"They are, they are," Thomas confirmed. "I imagine our presence won't be required back at home for six weeks or so, although it'll be nose to the grindstone when I return. Well worth the cost to spend some time with Olivia before the birth of my second grandchild, I must say." Taking Laura's hands in his, he bussed her on both cheeks. "Laura, you look lovely, as always. You must have—"

"Don't you dare tell me I've grown an inch since last you saw me," she teased.

"I wouldn't dare," he agreed, somberly, though humor twinkled in his eyes.

"Who have we here?" Catherine asked, her focus directed on Sophie, who stood wide-eyed in the doorway between the entry way and living room. "One of Olivia's little playmates?"

"Actually, no," Laura answered, drawing Sophie to her side. The little girl wrapped her arms around Laura's legs, and pressed her face into the side of them, shy and uncertain of the people who had just arrived. "Sophie, this is Olivia's grandmother and grandfather, come all the way from England to visit," she introduced the little girl, while giving Thomas and Catherine a look that clearly said we'll explain later.

"Well, hello, Sophie," Thomas offered, bending over to take one of the girl's hands in his, and bussing the back of it. "It is a pleasure, indeed, to meet you." Sophie's eyes only widened further at the greeting.

Blessedly, Olivia charging back the stairs ended the awkwardness in the room. Carrying both her and Sophie's bags, she grabbed at her grandfather's hand, tugging at him.

"C'mon, Granddad. I'll show you." With a shrug of his shoulders, as though to say, 'What can I do', he followed behind her, the other adults and Sophie following in his wake.

"So tell me, son, how have you and Laura come to be in care of little Sophie?" Thomas inquired, as he and Remington enjoyed a brandy after dinner was finished.

The afternoon had been passed enjoyably, with lunch followed by time sitting around the fire outdoors while Olivia and Sophie played on the playset in the rear yard. Thomas and Catherine had excused themselves in the late afternoon, to head to the Rossmore for a quick nap to help shake the jetlag then to prepare for dinner at the Club. Fred, as was tradition when Thomas and Catherine were in town, was on-call, fully at their disposal, happily collecting the overtime their visits always meant. The topic of Sophie had purposefully been avoided throughout the afternoon, and Catherine had, wisely, decided to forgo bestowing Olivia with the gifts she'd brought to shower upon their granddaughter.

Fondling his brandy snifter, Remington glanced at Laura, whose slight inclination of her head gave him her blessing to tell them the entirety of the story.

"My Lord," Catherine exclaimed, lifting a hand to lay at the base of her throat, "You mean to say that poor child not only witnessed her mother's murder, but that her own father may try to harm her as well? What is this world coming to?" Thomas lay a hand over Catherine's free one, giving it a gentle squeeze. While Catherine's own brother had turned out to be a serial killer, The Whitechapel Ripper, her sheltered upbringing still led her to see the world through rose colored glasses, and news such as this tended to make her very nervous.

"And what will happen to little Sophie, son, once you and Laura have managed to place this madman behind bars?" Thomas wondered, his eyes laying intently on his son and daughter-in-law.

"It's a question we've asked ourselves," Remington answered honestly, clasping Laura's hand in his and stroking the back of it with his thumb. "She is, of course, under our guardianship, for now, but as to her future, we'll have to sort that out once the threat has been eliminated."

"You mean to say you won't keep her?" Catherine ventured. Laura schooled her features, mentally wincing as, for the second time on the day, guilt assailed her.

"I wish it were as simple as all that," Remington replied. "We've already our hands full with the Agency, Olivia and our child due any day. Would we be doing all three children a disservice if we stretch ourselves too thin, can't give them each what they need?"

"And given your own childhood, can you make your peace with that?" the Duke inquired. Remington took a long draw on his brandy, then studied the snifter at length before answering.

"Laura and I certainly wouldn't toss her to the wolves, as was done to me," he finally answered. "We'd make certain that wherever she lands, she'd be in the hands of kind, loving people who wish for nothing more than a child to love."

"Thomas…" Catherine's hopeful eyes alighted on her husband.

"Not now, Catherine," Thomas cut her off. As far as he was concerned, there was no place for discussion for what Catherine had in mind until his son and daughter-in-law had made their decision. Catherine, who had been raised under the archaic notion that a woman is obedient to her husband, spoke no further of the matter.

Remington sat down his snifter and held out his hand to Laura.

"I believe I promised my lovely wife a dance this evening," he announced, effectively ending, abruptly, further discussion of Sophia's future. Seeing the strain about his eyes, Laura swallowed the comment she was about to make, and forced a smile upon her face.

"That you did," she agreed, standing, then with a nod at Catherine and Thomas, followed him to the dance floor.

"In case I haven't said it before, you look beautiful this evening, love," Remington murmured against her ear, as he embraced her on the dance floor. She tilted back her head and smiled at him, caressing his shoulder with a hand.

"You've made mention of it a time or two." And he had. She was wearing a red, empire waist, floor length gown that emphasized her rounded stomach and enlarged breasts. While she felt she resembled a whale someone had left to soak in Kool-Aid, she had a husband who truly appreciated her pregnant body, so had dressed for his pleasure. In her mind, if you can't please yourself, please someone else.

"What's say we make our excuses," he hummed, drawing the back of two fingers down the skin bared by the back of her dress.

"And your father?" she reminded him.

"I'm sure he'll be relieved. Jet lag, and all that," he bobbled his head from side-to-side. "Whereas his son, needs time alone with his wife." They were words that never failed to catch her attention. He was struggling, emotionally, and reaching out.

"Then let's make our excuses," she suggested. Closing his eyes, he bussed her on the forehead and nodded.

"Let's."