“I am not my mother. I love her, but I am not her.”

“I shake my head. "Remember, Mother. There are no mistakes." She smiles through her tears, leaning in to kiss my cheek "No mistakes, my angel.”

“He's a clever little thing, isn't he?"She leaned in to drop a kiss on the kitten's soft head, reaching to move him off Griffin's chest. He reached for her hand, stopping her."And what about me?" he asked, his eyes burning into hers."What about you?""Am I not clever enough for a kiss?" His voice was gruff.She favored him with a shy smile."You're more than clever enough, Griffin Channing.”

“I think I should learn to jump on my own soon, don't you?''And deprive myself of the opportunity to be near you?' His voice was husky in her ear, his breath tickling the tender skin of her neck. 'That seems foolish on my part, but if you'd like to learn, I'll teach you.'She nodded, her voice stuck in her throat.'Very well,' he said. 'But not tonight. Tonight you'll stay with me.”

“You've become my friend, and I love you."It was right and true and that made saying it easy.She heard the surprise in the intake of his breath."And I, you, Helen. I think I've loved you since the moment you first stood on my doorstep." He paused. "But now, I really must insist that you sleep. My love will still be here when you wake up.”

“I'm not very good with anything physical...' she began as they turned down a hallway she had never seen.He flashed her a grin as they walked. 'I find that hard to believe.'She caught the innuendo in his voice and felt a blush creep to her cheeks.'You know what I mean.”

“I must confess I will miss your... proximity when jumping together.''Well,' she said, answering his smile with one of her own.'There's always sickle training in the ballroom.''That there is.”