A/N: An unforgivably long delay, but I just couldn't force this chapter. I hope you're not disappointed.

#*#*#*#*#

Steve heard the front door close, softly and carefully.

"Shit," he mumbled, reaching for his phone. Jax's head was still heavy on his shoulder, the fact that the door hadn't woken her testament to her exhaustion.

He fumbled at his phone, squinting. Eight am, which was the time Mary would need to leave to be at her office well before nine, on her first day. Which meant they'd slept for almost seven hours straight and -

He sat up abruptly, swinging his legs over the side of the bed. Jax was instantly awake.

"What time is it?" she asked.

"Eight am, it's eight, which means -"

"Seven hours? Did you get up with them?" Jax asked, frantically untangling herself from the sheets. "They don't sleep for seven hours."

"I know, maybe Mary did?" Steve tossed over his shoulder. Jax was on his heels as he rushed down the stairs.

They hesitated in the doorway of the babies' room. It was quiet. Steve took a deep breath and tiptoed to the crib. He wrapped his hands around the railing and sagged with relief.

"They're fine," he said, holding his arm out for Jax. She stepped in close, allowing him to hold her tight as she looked into the crib.

Annie regarded them placidly, her fist firmly in her mouth. Billy had squirmed around and was gumming away at Annie's toes. Steve chuckled as he snapped a photo on his phone.

"They're okay," Jax breathed. "I was so scared . . ."

"Me too," Steve said. He kissed the top of her head, breathing in the comforting and familiar scent of her shampoo. "Come on, let's fix their bottles and take them out on the lanai."

"You'll be late for work," Jax said.

Steve smiled and sent a quick message and the photo he'd just taken to Chin as they made their way to the kitchen.

"Somehow, I think they'll forgive me," he said.

#*#*#*#*#

Danny walked off the elevator slowly, smiling as Kono came around the edge of the smart table to greet him.

"Danny!" she said, wrapping her long arms around him, hugging him gently. "It's good to have you back. It's been way too quiet around here for the last few days."

"Good to be back," he said, squeezing her tight on his good side. "And you? You're good?"

"I'm good," Kono said. "Thanks for letting Brian and I come over the other night. I just . . . I needed to know you were okay, you know?"

"I get it. And thanks for bringing over that bar-be-que, that was amazing. We just finished the last of it last night," Danny said.

"Danny, hey," Steve said. He came out of his office and wrapped a hand around Danny's shoulder. "Doc cleared you to come back? You're sure you don't need more time?"

"Cleared for desk duty, anyway," Danny said. "Besides, I need to get up to speed before you head out of town."

"We could reschedule, Danny," Steve said earnestly. "I don't want -"

"No, what no one wants is to be stuck with you and Jax here when you're supposed to be off for the weekend," Danny said. "So, catch me up on what I've missed . . ."

#*#*#*#*#

Danny nodded in satisfaction and tossed his legal pad and pen gently on Steve's desk. The others had said their goodbyes and headed out of the office, leaving it quiet in the softly fading light. Danny stood up, wincing slightly, and helped himself to a water from Steve's office fridge, handing one to Steve as well.

"You're sure you're healing up okay, Danno?" Steve asked.

Danny sat down on Steve's sofa, stretching his legs out in front of him and sinking into the cushion.

"Yeah," he said. "To be honest, my knee's bothering me more than my side at the moment. I twisted it, you know, when we went down."

Steve took a long swallow. "One of the scariest moments of my life."

"Mine, too," Danny said wryly. He took a sip from his bottle and then fidgeted with the label.

"Something on your mind, Danny?"

Danny looked up quickly. "I should let you get out of here, get home to Jax and the twins. Sorry, I didn't mean to keep -"

"Danny." Steve stood up and came around to the front of his desk and leaned against it.

"That obvious?"

"Only to someone who knows your tone," Steve said.

"My tone," Danny laughed. "Fair enough. It's just . . . Rachel, you know, she got spooked in the ER, but she came back."

"Yeah, we were glad," Steve said. He turned a chair around and sat down, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees and giving Danny his undivided attention.

"And she was great, Steve, she really was," Danny said. "Except . . . she's got it in her head that she doesn't want Gracie and Charlie exposed to this part of the job. Injuries . . . it's . . . it's one of the issues we had back in Jersey. I thought she was past it. I mean, she let Gracie spend time with Jax, even, when Jax was pretty beat up. And you. But it's like . . . I don't know, maybe with Charlie, it hit her harder again. Ah, hell, I don't know."

"Shit, Danny, I'm sorry," Steve said. "I should have realized there was a third -"

"No. No, this is not on you," Danny said. "Back in Jersey, I knew the job was ruining my marriage and . . . I let it. I just thought that she knew what she was getting into this time, which, in fairness to her, she didn't the first time."

Steve rubbed at his eyebrow with his thumbnail.

"You thinking about leaving Five-O?" he asked softly.

"Leave - no. No, Commander Abandonment Issues, I am not thinking about leaving Five-O," Danny said. "I'm thinking counseling. You know, marriage counseling. I was thinking, if you didn't think it would be too weird, maybe seeing Lieutenant Allen."

"She's good," Steve said. "She's really good, Danny."

"I know, she's made you less of a Neanderthal," Danny said. He smiled at Steve, his eyes crinkling with unmistakable fondness. "So, you wouldn't mind? It's just, there's so much overlap, and I figure, she already understands how Five-O works . . ."

"It's fine, Danny," Steve said. "Lieutenant Allen is a professional. She's not going to betray any confidences, and yeah, she gets that Five-O isn't traditional military or law enforcement. What else can we do? How can I help, Danny?"

"Eh, just try not to get me shot in the next month, if you can manage it," Danny said. "Look, this isn't your problem, really. This is between me and Rachel. We gotta work it out, figure it out. You, my friend, gotta go home and pack for this little get-away. When are the Harts coming?"

"Tomorrow, late morning," Steve said. He went back to his desk and started to shut down his laptop, restoring his desk to its usual immaculate state. "After Jax's checkup."

"Hmm. You're worried," Danny said.

"That obvious?"

"Only to someone who knows your faces," Danny said.

Steve chuckled. "Fair enough. Yeah, I guess I'm . . . I don't know, Danny, maybe I'm feeling a little like Rachel. I just want Jax to be okay, you know?"

"I do know," Danny said. "I also know that I haven't seen Jax look this healthy since her first week out of the academy. Tired, sure, but that's to be expected. I'm sure everything is fine, Steven."

"Danny's Law," Steve said, grinning.

"Damn straight," Danny said. "Why are we still at the office talking about our beautiful wives and children instead of at home with them?"

"You needed my advice," Steve said smugly.

"I need - oh ho ho, no, babe, that is so not how it went . . . "

#*#*#*#*#

It was quiet in the waiting room, the early morning light filtering through the blinds. Steve was hiding his nervous pacing by conveniently pushing the twins' stroller back and forth. A door at the end of the waiting room opened, and Mia smiled at Jax and Steve, making her way toward them.

"Well, both of you look a far sight better than when I last saw you," she said. "And look at these babies. Good morning, Annie and Billy. Look at you guys, all snug in your stroller. Okay, Jax, come with me, and Commander McGarrett, you can chill out here with your babies. You're outnumbered, are you going to be okay?"

"I can handle it," Steve laughed. He kissed Jax on the cheek and she followed Mia.

"Has he looked that smug for the entire six weeks?" Mia asked, gesturing at an open door of an exam room.

"Extra smug today for some reason," Jax said. "We haven't taken the babies out much. I think he likes showing them off."

"As well he should; you both should," Mia said. "Okay, you know the drill; gown up and hop up on the table. Captain Bluedorn and I will be back in a few minutes. Are you sure you don't want Steve here? We can get a nurse to sit with the babies."

"No, I'm good," Jax said. "Thank you, though, Mia. For everything, really. I don't think we would have managed without you."

"You would have," Mia said firmly. "You absolutely would have - but I'm glad that I was able to help."

#*#*#*#*#

Steve looked up in surprise when Jax returned to the waiting room. It seemed like she'd only been gone for moments. They made their way out of the office and into the hallway, smiling at everyone who glanced down admiringly at the babies while they waited for the elevator. No one stepped on with them. He wrapped his hand around hers as the elevator doors closed.

"Everything okay?" he asked softly. "What did Captain Bluedorn say? You're okay? Everything's okay?"

"Well. I am apparently the picture of health. Cleared to resume normal activity," Jax said. "You know, swimming, jogging . . . work."

Steve beamed at her.

"So . . . all your, ah, normal activities?" he asked, trailing a finger up her arm.

"Hmm. But we have to be really, really, very careful," she said. She schooled her face into a solemn expression.

"Careful," he repeated, his brow furrowing in concern. He cupped a hand around her face and tilted it up, looking into her eyes.

"Careful," she said. Her eyes started to twinkle. "Because, according to Captain Bluedorn, there's absolutely no reason to think that I couldn't get pregnant again. I got a shot. Pills are - things are crazy, my schedule, your schedule . . . this way, there's no forgetting, no risk of antibiotics interfering . . . So, careful."

There was a squelching sound from the stroller.

"Buddy, seriously," Steve said, shaking his head at Billy. He glanced back at Jax. "Okay, yeah, careful. Careful sounds like a good idea."

#*#*#*#*#

The Harts arrived as Steve was swapping out the car seats and stowing small overnight bags in his truck. He waved at them enthusiastically as they pulled into the driveway.

Maureen threw her arms around Steve in a quick hug.

"Good to see you, honey, where are the babies?" she demanded.

"We just gave them a bath, Jax is getting them settled for a nap," Steve said.

"Then I better hurry inside so I can kiss them before they fall asleep," Maureen said. She bounded up the front steps.

Fred looked after her, smiling. "In case there was any doubt as to how happy we are to give you and Jax a weekend away," he said, gesturing after his wife's retreating form. "Let's go ahead and get those seats installed in our car, yeah?"

"Yeah," Steve agreed. They each hefted one seat in hand and moved to the Hart's car. "We really appreciate this, sir. The babies are awesome, they really are, but Jax especially is running on fumes."

"It's our pleasure, and I mean that," Fred said. "Where are you headed?"

"Small resort called the Royal Kona, on the Big Island. We had a case there a while back, and we liked it. It's quiet . . . low-key," Steve said. "All of the contact information is on the fridge in the kitchen, if for some reason you need us and can't reach us on our cells. We can be back here in no time if there's a problem."

"From the Big Island?" Fred asked. He pulled the seat belt tight and checked the car seat.

Steve grinned as he did the same. "I wrangled a helo. Jax doesn't know it. She likes flying, and I've always wanted to take her up, show her the island. This is the first chance I've had to do it. Plus, it will make her feel better. She's a little worried about how long it would take us to get back here if there was a problem."

"New moms, they worry," Fred said. "We understand. Though, with WoFat in maximum security, I take it you're sleeping a little easier at night?"

"It's been a blur, honestly, sir," Steve said. He leaned against the trunk of the car, his arms crossed. "My team took WoFat into custody just as things took a turn with Jax. I raced back here just in time for the delivery - barely."

"And you've had your hands full since then," Fred said. "Still. You know that I won't assume anything, son. We'll keep a sharp eye out."

"I know you will, sir. Appreciate that," Steve said.

"Well, let's get you and that pretty wife of yours sent on your way, then," Fred said.

#*#*#*#*#

Maureen pulled the nursery door closed behind her, latching it softly.

"Jax, darling," she said, wrapping her arms around her. "They are just precious. And they sleep at the same time? How'd you manage?"

"I have no idea," Jax said. "We are so lucky. They seem to just be . . . in sync with each other, you know? But I'll warn you, that includes massive diaper blow-outs. They seem to coordinate those, too."

"Nothing we can't handle," Maureen assured her. "You look wonderful, honey. So healthy. I know you're tired, but that's to be expected. I take it your check-up went well today?"

"It did," Jax said. Her eyes sparkled and she ducked her head.

"Oh, no need to be embarrassed," Maureen laughed. "You and Steve may be parents now but you're still the same people, madly in love with each other. You need and deserve some time for the two of you. And don't you waste any of it worrying about these babies. Have fun, and rest."

"I'm not that tired, really," Jax said. "Mary was wonderful - she's working now, she has a new job that she loves, but she'll be here this weekend - and Steve and I, we're used to not getting much sleep."

"Ummhmm," Maureen nodded. "Because you do what you have to do, and you make the best of it. But mark my words: once your body realizes you're not on baby alert, it's going to demand the rest it's been denied. My advice is to go with it."

"Yes, ma'am," Jax said.

"Besides, I suspect that nice hotel bed is going to look plenty tempting," Maureen teased. "Plenty."

#*#*#*#*#

Steve smiled indulgently at Jax as she peered out the window of the helo, finagled through the governor's office and on loan from Pearl Hickam.

"I've been wanting to do this," Steve said. "I'm sorry it's taken me so long."

Jax stared, unashamedly entranced, at the lush landscape unfolding beneath them as Steve curved them effortlessly in a lazy sweep over the island. He pointed out significant features: Diamond Head, the North Shore.

"It's even more beautiful than I realized," Jax said. "How is this possible? How do I live here? Holy shit."

"Not a pineapple infested hell-hole?" Steve asked, laughing.

"I was afraid Danny wasn't going to forgive me for loving the island immediately," Jax said.

"I was afraid Danny wasn't going to forgive me for loving you immediately," Steve said. "Hey. You wanna fly this thing?"

"Oh, hell yes."

#*#*#*#*#

"Welcome back to the Royal Kona, Commander Mcgarrett, Mrs. McGarrett."

The owner had come to personally greet them and check them in.

"Thank you," Steve said. "We appreciate the shuttle from the airstrip."

"The Royal Kona will always be indebted to Five-O," the owner said. "It is our pleasure. We're honored that you returned for a visit. I understand that congratulations are in order for expanding your ohana?"

"Twins," Steve said proudly. He held out his phone, displaying the picture of Annie sucking her thumb and Billy gumming Annie's toes. "Annie and Billy."

"Yin and yang. Delightful. Come, let me show you to your room."

Steve hefted their two small overnight bags easily, and they followed the man to the elevator. He smiled at them as he pressed the button for the top floor.

"We took the liberty of placing you in the honeymoon suite," he said. "My wife and I remember those early days of parenthood. We wanted you to be as comfortable and . . . undisturbed as possible. So you can rest, of course."

Steve smirked and wrapped his hand around Jax's.

#*#*#*#*#

Jax wandered onto the balcony as Steve stowed their bags. He stepped behind her, his fingers slipping under the edge of her tank, caressing her shoulder.

"You remembered I like this," he murmured. He bent and kissed her shoulder, his lips grazing over the scar there.

"That, and I'm still all . . ." Jax gestured at her stomach, still softly rounded.

"You're still all curvy and sexy as hell? Yeah," he said, brushing feather-light kisses up her neck. Her breath hitched as he worried the delicate skin behind her ear with the tip of his tongue. "So, there's the whole resort at our disposal. What do you want to do?"

Jax paused. Steve was an insanely active person; she'd known that before she met him. Danny's had told her of how Steve had filled his lonely weekends with hiking, surfing, taking Gracie to the zoo, teaching them to paddleboard. The last six weeks had passed in a blur of diapers and bottles. She was sure he was probably going stir crazy by now, itching to get out and burn off some nervous energy.

She was also sure that she was not ready to face the world in swimwear.

Quick, think of something not-swimming, her brain suggested.

"We could check out the hiking trails," she said. "Or the gardens, it's shady, and you could run."

His fingers ghosted down her arms and wrapped around her waist, and he nuzzled his face into her neck.

"This balcony is shady, and it has lounge chairs," he said, murmuring softly into her ear. "I promised Maureen I would make sure you took a nap."

She leaned back against him and his arms tightened around her, holding her securely.

"I'm exhausted," she admitted.

"Then why did you suggest hiking, ku'uipo?" he asked. "What, I ask you what you want, and you try to guess what I want?"

"Um . . . maybe?" Jax responded. She was too tired to really follow his logic.

"Yeah. I don't want you to do that," he said. "Let's try that again. What do you want to do, right now?"

"Sleep," Jax said. She was surprised at the hint of desperation in her own voice. "I'm so fucking tired."

He chuckled.

"Let me tell you a secret," he whispered. "I'm fucking tired, too. Come 'ere."

He stepped back, wrapping his big hand around hers and tugging her gently to follow him. His other arm went around her waist, and his foot hooked around her ankle. A tug and a twist and they were both toppled gently into the plushly cushioned lounge chair.

"Glad to see you putting your SEAL training to such good use," she said. "There are two chairs, you know."

"Unh. Too far away," he mumbled. He sighed contentedly and settled into the cushion.

She snuggled against him, nestling her head in the just-perfect juncture of his shoulder. Her practiced hand pressed gently over his ribs, the fabric of his t-shirt soft beneath the pads of her fingers.

"You're okay, though?" she asked quietly. "Your ribs still tender?"

His hand rested gently on top of hers. "I'm okay, ku'uipo."

A breeze drifted across the balcony, tossing Jax's curls over her face and making her shiver. Steve brushed her hair away then reached back over his head, snagging the oversized beach towel that was draped across the back of the lounge. He snapped it open, draping it across them.

"Comfy?" he murmured.

She sighed in contentment, that little sound that he absolutely adored.

"I love that sound," he whispered. "You make that sound when I hand you coffee. I noticed it right away. Made me wonder . . . made me want to be the one to get that sound out of you. Made the mistake of mentioning that to Danny . . ."

"Oh, no," Jax groaned.

Steve laughed. "I was right, though," he said. He kissed the top of her head, his fingers trailing up and down her arm.

She chuckled and relaxed against him, falling silent. He thought perhaps she'd fallen asleep, until she spoke.

"I was so afraid," she said quietly. "I was so afraid I was going to have to do it without you."

"Have the babies?"

She nodded, her pert nose rubbing gently against his neck. "Deliver them, raise them . . ."

"You don't have to," he said.

She pulled back and turned her face up to his.

"You know you can't promise that," she said.

He kissed her, slowly, tenderly, one arm wrapped around her, resting on her hip, and his other hand coming up to cradle her face gently in his hand.

"I promise I will always do everything in my power to come home to you," he said. "To you, to Annie and Billy. I can promise that. Is that enough?"

"It has to be," Jax said. "It isn't, but it has to be. That's the best you can promise."

He kissed her again, unhurried, as if they had all the time in the world. Her eyes drifted closed and stayed that way. He chuckled low in his throat and tucked her head back into the crook of his neck.

"'M'sorry," she mumbled. "Did'n mean to ac'shly fall asleep - not when we - it's -"

"Shhh," he said, his long fingers stroking idly over her shoulder. He tugged the oversized towel up around her back, as the breeze started to pick up and turn cooler with an approaching storm. "We have an entire weekend. Sleep."

He stared out at the waves for a bit, as always, hypnotized and calmed by the gentle roll of surf. The gentle, even puffs of Jax's breath, soft and warm against his neck, pulled him the rest of the way under.

#*#*#*#*#

She was aware, first, of the sound of his heart. Racing . . . pounding.

She blinked awake, her arm instinctively tightening around him. His hand gripped her hip and he mumbled, a distressed incoherence, the sound reverberating as her head rested against his chest.

"No . . . sweep for . . ." he murmured.

She heard thunder, blinked more, rubbed a hand over her face. The sky was dark, a streak of lightning cutting through the distant clouds.

"Steve," she said, "you with me?" Her lips brushed the syllables over the pulse point in his neck.

"Jax." He sighed, pulling her snug against him. She felt his heart slow, his chest rising and falling in slower, measured breaths. "Hey."

"Y'okay?" she mumbled.

Thunder rumbled again, low and rolling.

Thunder, Steve processed. Not heavy artillery.

"I'm good," he said. He kissed the top of her head, his fingers brushing gently up and down her arm.

She stretched contentedly in his arms, her toes brushing against his calf. He shifted, tangling a hand in her hair and tilting her face up to his, his thumb stroking over her jaw.

"Hey," he said, smiling softly at her.

She grinned back at him, running her fingers over the heavy scruff on his jawline. "Hey, yourself. How'd I miss this new silver, hunh?" Her fingers wandered into the soft hair at his temple.

"We've been a little preoccupied the last six weeks," he said. He kissed her gently, still cradling her face in his hand.

"And before that -"

"Before that, we took down WoFat, and he's locked away," he murmured. "That's what matters."

"You came back to me," she said. "That's what matters."

She closed the distance between them, her slim hand wrapping around the back of his neck as she kissed him. Her fingers tugged on his hair.

"Hair's out of reg," she teased.

"Like I said, busy," he said, smiling and brushing another kiss over her lips.

"I like it," she whispered, carding her fingers through his hair, rubbing absently at his scalp.

Thunder rumbled again, closer, and lightning danced across the darkening sky. Steve sat up, his big hands wrapping around her hips and shifting her easily to straddle his lap. Her hands rested on his shoulders, then slid down, fingers trailing over his biceps and tucking underneath the edge of his shirt sleeves to brush over the ink.

"Guess we won't hit the beach this evening," he murmured. He wrapped one arm around her waist and reached up to cup her face in his hand again.

"Pity," she said. "We so rarely have beach access."

"I knew it. You only love me for my ocean front property."

"Our ocean front property, thank you very much, Commander McGarrett."

"I like the sounds of that. I stand corrected, Mrs. McGarrett."

"That still sounds weird," she said.

He kissed her, pulling her close.

"Jax," he whispered, his lips brushing over hers, and then grazing down her neck.

Fat raindrops started to pelt at them, the wind driving them sideways onto the covered balcony. Steve stood, easily shifting Jax's weight against him, as she wrapped her legs around his waist.

"Holy hell, woman," he murmured.

"I know, I still weigh -"

He stilled and raised an eyebrow at her, grinning wickedly.

"Definitely not what I was getting at," he said, his voice dropping a register as he deliberately pulled her body flush with his.

"Oh," she breathed.

He carried her easily into the bedroom, one arm firm around her waist while his other hand tangled in her hair, tilting her head back and kissing her soundly. Thunder clapped, closer, startling her. She tightened her grip around him, and he groaned quietly in response.

"Jax - shit - please," he murmured, pressing a frantic kiss against her neck.

"You don't have to ask -"

"Yeah, yeah, I do, because I have to know that you're okay," he said. His lips brushed against her neck, across her collarbone.

"The doctor said -"

"No." He paused, took a shuddering breath. "You have to say, Jax. Just because the doctor said -"

"Yes. Yes, I'm fine, Steve," Jax answered. Her lips found the soft patch of skin behind his ear and brushed against it as she whispered yes, over and over, tickling him and making him laugh softly.

He deposited her gently on the edge of the bed and stepped back, reaching a hand overhead and grabbing the back of his shirt, yanking it over his head with one smooth motion. Jax deftly unbuttoned and unzipped his cargos, smirking up at him when he let out a huff of relief. The spark in her eyes made his heart stutter almost painfully in his chest, and he knelt down in front of her, cupping her face and kissing her again, gently.

"God, I've missed this," he whispered.

"I'm sorry -"

"No, ku'uipo," he said, pulling back and smiling at her, brilliant and open and so full of joy that she couldn't help but smile back. "No, no, it's - my God, we had babies, you had babies, it's fine, it's fucking amazing and six weeks - six months - whatever, I don't care. They're amazing, they're healthy and you - you're okay, you're healthy and okay and -" He stopped, swallowing hard.

Her hand wrapped around his neck, soft and warm. "I know. I know, Steve. Until you walked into the delivery room, I didn't let myself believe that - I was preparing myself for the worst, I was - I still can't believe it. Sometimes I'm afraid that I'm dreaming, that it's not real."

"It's real," he said. "I'm right here."

Her arms looped around his neck as he toyed with the straps of her tank, his favorite, the blue batik print still setting off her golden skin, exposing her strong shoulders. He slipped his hands under the fabric, to the waist of her shorts, slipping the button open.

She ducked her head, biting her lip.

"I'm not even back in regular clothes, yet," she mumbled. "I need to - when I start back to work, I'll go to the gym, I'll work with a trainer, maybe, I'll -"

"Jax, look at me," he said. She tilted her head up and he tugged her bottom lip out with the pad of his thumb. "I told you, a long time ago, there would never be a time that I wouldn't want you, and nothing has changed."

.

"I've changed," she said. "My body has changed, and I -"

"Yeah, okay," he said. He slowly, carefully, pulled her tank over her head and tossed it aside. She leaned back on her hands as he looped an arm under her knees, lifting her and easily pulling her shorts down, slipping them over her feet and tossing them behind him with a grin.

"You have changed," he said, brushing his fingers reverently over the ink on her hip. "You added this. For me." He slid his fingers against the waistband of her simple cotton underwear. "You went through months of being tired, feeling sick, giving up - God, your career - risking your health - your body changing, yeah. You're . . . softer. And stronger. And more beautiful to me than ever."

He slid a hand back under her knees, and behind her shoulders, and placed her gently in the center of the bed, following her body down and covering it with his own.

"Let me show you," he whispered. "Let me show you just how beautiful you are to me, how much I will always want you . . . "