“Brigan," she said, annoyed that he had not understood."I’ll always be beautiful. Look at me. I have one hundred and sixty two bug bites, and has it made me any less beautiful? I’m missing two fingers and I have scars all over, but does anyone care? No! It just makes me more interesting! I’ll always be like this, stuck in this beautiful form, and you’ll have to deal with it."He seemed to sense that she expected a grave response, but for the moment, he was incapable. "I suppose it’s a burden I must bear," he said, grinning.”

“Minor detail. I’m going to kiss you, Marlie—”“I’ll bite you again,” she swiftly warned.He shrugged. “I always have had more guts than sense,” he said, and very gently brushed her mouth withhis.”

“Looks like I’ve found myself a handy man,” I smiled. “Oh yeah,” he grinned, “I’m as handy as they come.”“I can see it now,” I fantasized, “leaky faucets, fixing lights, painting walls.”Caeden’s laugh filled the woodshop classroom. “And let me guess, you’re not going to help me, you’ll just watch.”“It’s what I do best,” I laughed.Caeden stood the cabinet upright and grabbed some trim pieces for detailing. “That’s okay, at least I’ll have something pretty to look at,” he winked.“And I’ll always be there to hand you tools,” I said.“Just not the power ones,” he grinned crookedly.”

“Tell me something, Toru,” She said. “Do you love me?”“You know I do.”“Will you do me two favors?”“You can have up to three wishes, Madame.”Naoko smiled and shook her head.” No, two will do. One is for you to realize how grateful I am that you came to see me here. I hope you’ll understand how happy you’ve made me. I know it’s going to save me if anything will. I may not show it, but it’s true.”“I’ll come to see you again.” I said. “And what is the other wish?”“I want you always remember me. Will you remember that I existed, and that I stood next to you here like this?”“Always,” I said. “I’ll always remember.”

“You're beautiful, Delaney, and you could have anyone you want. Why me?" She knew she wasn't beautiful, not like her mother. But the way he looked at her and touched her, and the tone of his voice when he said it made her almost believe him. He made her believe anything was possible. "Because you make me not want to say no.”

“I just want you, Trevor,” she said, knowing nothing else mattered as long as she had him. “You have me, sweetheart,” he said, pulling away just far enough so that he could look into her eyes. “I promise you will always have me.”