“This might work. We might survive. We might not have to eat cat food.”

“Out past isn't who we are. I'm me and you're you and that's who we need to be.”

“Must have been some kind a nightmare.”“Yeah,” I answer, my usual calm, vacant voice returning. “Can’t wait to wake up.”

“What the hell do I have to do to get your attention? Do I need to get up there?” I throw an arm toward the stage. His eyes swell for just a second, in shock. He reaches forward to hold my hands, but he catches himself in time and instead folds them across his chest. “Believe me, you have my full attention.”

“There’s something different about him, and I don’t have to think hard to see it. Something about the way he takes over a room, the way he looks at me, like he has already identified and can disarm every one of my defense mechanisms with no effort, like he sees through them to the disaster lying beneath. And he wants it.”

“And you must be Princess Mia? I've heard about you."Her lips pucker and she leans out just a bit further from Storm's cover. "You have?!He nods. "Well, I heard about a Princess Mia who likes ice cream. That must be you, right?"She nods slowly and whispers, "Did you hear that, Mommy? People know I'm a princess!”

“I want to make you smile. For real. Always. We're going to go for dinners, and see movies, and walk on the beach. We'll go hang-gliding, or bungee jumping, or whatever you want to do. Whatever makes you smile and laugh more. Let me make you smile.”