The next morning, Claire awoke to the sound of a cheerful song. Owen pushed through the door with her breakfast on a tray.

"Good morning! Good morning! Sunbeams will soon smile through. Good morning, good morning, to you!"

He punctuated his song with a kiss. Claire smiled and rubbed her front horn against his nose.

"Good morning, Owen. You're looking very chipper . . ."

"So's your breakfast."

Indeed, the oranges and banana on the tray were arranged in a smiley face. Claire grinned and nuzzled Owen's chest.

"I'm really glad we worked things out."

"Yeah. I was starting to worry that you were serious about leaving me."

Claire gave a sad smile.

"I don't think I'd ever want to leave you for real. But that just means you're stuck with me."

Owen hugged her neck.

"I'm glad I'm stuck with you."

"Even though I'm a dinosaur?"

Owen nodded.

"No one said this was going to be easy, but it's what I want. I love you."

They shared a kiss. Claire took a deep breath and closed her eyes.

"Owen, I want to apologize. I know I'm always going on and on about how much I hate myself, and sometimes I forget that you have problems too."

"Oh, Claire, don't worry about me. I can get by."

Claire ran her front foot over his head.

"Even so, I don't mean to be so . . . gloomy. I guess I just worry that if I get too comfortable with myself, I'll lose what made me human."

Owen frowned sadly.

"If being human means feeling bad about yourself, I don't think it's worth holding onto."

Claire sighed.

"I don't know. I can't imagine ever liking the way I look."

Owen rubbed his chin thoughtfully. After a moment, he snapped his fingers.

"I have an idea. Wait here."

He sprung out of bed and pattered down the stairs. Claire looked down at her smiling breakfast, trying to decide whether to eat it while he was away. She placed her front foot on the banana and turned it upside-down so that it was a frown. With a doleful sigh, she swallowed it in one gulp. Owen returned shortly after, holding a small book.

"I found this in the basement while I was cleaning it out. I've been saving it for a special occasion."

Claire cocked her head.

"What is it?"

"A diary."

Claire blinked.

"Okay . . . But how does that help me?"

Owen placed it in her lap.

"Write down everything you don't like about yourself."

Claire laughed.

"That'll take forever."

"Then you'd better get started."

Owen handed her a stegoceratops-sized pen. She gave him a sardonic look and started writing. He peeked over her shoulder while she worked.

I hate my horns. They get in the way whenever I try to turn my head.

I hate my frill. It's heavy and it makes it hard for me to walk through small doors.

I hate my scales. They're green and ugly.

Claire could feel her eyes prickling. She continued to write, ignoring the sensation.

I hate my beak. It clicks when I eat, and whatever's inside of it causes me to moo.

I hate my feet. They aren't useful in the slightest, and I have to ask the dragons to make me special tools so that I can accomplish the most menial of tasks.

I hate my belly.

Claire stopped writing. She had been fighting back tears of frustration, but now, they were starting to flow. She sniffled helplessly and closed the book. Owen put his hand on her shoulder.

"Keep writing. I promise it will help."

Claire gave him a bitter glare and turned back to the diary. Her pen dug deeper into the page as she grew more and more spiteful.

I hate my belly. It's massive and wobbly and it makes me hungry all the time.

I hate my plates. They clatter around and weigh me down.

I hate my tail. It's gross enough having an extra appendage, but it's covered in spikes, which means I'm a danger to everyone around me. Everything about being a dinosaur is terrible. Of all the animals I could have ended up being, a stegoceratops is the worst possible one. I am repulsive. The world would be better off without me.

Claire dropped the pen. She flung the diary to the side and let the tears flow down her cheeks. Owen leaned against her, then stood up. As he walked across the room, he picked up a regular pen and the discarded diary. He sat down on a chair in the corner of the room and began to write. Claire sniffed angrily, then buried her face in the covers, placing her front feet over her eyes. She could feel her massive tears making the mattress wet. Everything was bigger when she was stegoceratops, especially her problems. Now that she had written down most (not all) of the things she hated about herself, she realized just how little confidence she had left. She had thought that she was over her self pity, but . . .

Claire was snapped out of her reverie when Owen sat down beside her and tapped her shoulder. He handed her the diary and flipped to the page where he had started writing. As Claire began to read, she felt the knot in her stomach fade away.

I like your horns. They're long and majestic.

I like your frill. When the sun shines behind your head, it glows like stained glass.

I like your scales. They're radiant and shiny.

I like your beak. It's very good for kissing, and when you moo, it means you're enjoying yourself, which makes me even happier.

I like your feet. I can tell where you are by your footsteps, and I take comfort in knowing that you'll always be near.

I love your belly. It's warm and cuddly and good for hugs.

I like your plates. When you have enough courage, they help you fly.

I like your tail. Whenever it swings back and forth, I know you're happy. The best part about it is that it's covered in spikes, and one of those spikes carries a ring. That one is my favorite. I know you think no one likes you because you're a dinosaur, but that's not true. You're one of a kind. There is only one Stegoclaireatops, and I'm lucky enough to be her husband. All of your friends are proud to know you. You are beautiful. The world is a better place, because you are in it.

Claire placed the diary on the bed and gave Owen a hug. He ran his hand down her back slowly.

"If you ever need to be reminded of why you're the best, just turn to this page. I have so many reasons to like you. Now you have them in writing."

Claire smiled. She was still crying, but now, it was out of joy.