“I love her because she has become something more to me. She become my life.”

“Jack Force was more than she had ever dared wish for, and he was better than a dream or a fantasy because he was real. He was far from perfect, moody and distant at times, and burdened with sharp temper and an impulsiveness that was part of his dark nature. But she felt more love for him than she thought possible. He wasn't perfect, but he was perfect for her. (Schuyler Van Alen)”

“Prove it!" she hissed. "Prove you are who you are!""We don't have time for this! You really want me to prove who I am?" he asked."Yes!" she challenged.In answer, he took her in his arms, lifting her up and against the wall. He pressed his lips against hers, and with each kiss she could see into his mind, into his soul. She saw a year of hate...saw him alone, alienated, hurt. She had lied to him and had left him. With every kiss he made her see, made her feel...every emotion, every dream he had of her...every ounce of his wanting and his need...and his love...his all-consuming, life-affirming love for her. In the darkness they found each other again...and she kissed him back, so greedily and hungrily, she never wanted to stop kissing him...to feel his heart against hers, the two of them intertwined together, his hands in her hair, then down the small of her back. She wanted to cry from the overwhelming emotion that engulfed the two of them...."Now do you belive me?" Jack asked huskily, pulling away from a moment so they could look into each other's eyes. Schuyler nodded, breathless. Jack. Every fiber of her being tingled with love and desire and remorse and forgiveness. Oh Jack...the love of her life, her sweet, her soul...”

“If she loved him the way she said she did, she wanted him whole. Maybe this was what love meant after all: sacrifice and selflessness. It did not mean hearts and flowers and a happy ending, but the knowledge that another's well-being is more important than one's own.”

“Inside the church, the bondsmaids were walking slowly down the aisle,with the little petal girls. Trinity turned to give Mimi her last words ofmotherly advice: 'Walk straight. Don't slouch. And for heavens's sake,smile! It's your bonding!?' Then she too walked through the door anddown the aisle. The door shut behind her, leaving Mimi alone.Finally, Mimi heard the orchestra play the first strains of the 'WeddingMarch.' Wagner. Then the ushers opened the doors and Mimi moved to the threshold. There was an appreciative gasp from the crowd as they took in the sight of Mimi in her fantastic dress. But instead of acknowledging her triumph as New York?s most beautiful bride, Mimi looked straight ahead, at Jack, who was standing so tall and straight at the altar. He met her eyes and did not smile.'Let's just get this over with.'His words were like an ice pick to the heart. He doesn't love me. He hasnever loved me. Not the way he loves Schuyler. Not the way he loved Allegra. He has come to every bonding with this darkness. With this regret and hesitation, doubt and despair. She couldn't deny it. She knew her twin, and she knew what he was feeling, and it wasn't joy or even relief.What am I doing?"Ready" Forsyth Llewellyn suddenly appeared by her side. Oh, right, sheremembered, she had said yes when Forsyth had offered to walk herdown the aisle.Here goes nothing. As if in a daze, Mimi took his arm, Jack's words stillechoing in her head. She walked, zombie-like, down the aisle, not evennoticing the flashing cameras or the murmurs of approval from thehard-to-impress crowd.”

“Almost halfway down the aisle, she saw someone she wasn't expecting, and she almost stumbled on her satin heels.Kingsley Martin stood at the end of a pew, his arms crossed. He was wearing a tuxedo as well. Just like any other guest. What was he doing here? He was supposed to be in Paris! He was supposed to be gone!He looked directly at Mimi.She heard his voice loud and clear in her head. Leave him.Why should I? What do you promise me?Nothing. And everything. A life of danger and adventure. A chance to beyourself. Leave him. Come with me.”

“It didn't help that she was painfully shy and kept to herself, because then they just thought she was stuck-up, which she wasn't. She was just quiet.”