“You're strong—you're so, so strong. It's why I love you.”

“You can," he said. There was a tremulous note in his voice. "You're strong—you're so, so strong. It's why I love you.”

“No," Dimitri interrupted gently. He moved his face toward mine, our foreheads nearly touching. "It won't happen to you. You're too strong. You'll fight it, just like you did thistime.""I only did because you were here." He wrapped his arms around me, and I buried my face in his chest. "I can't do it by myself," I whispered."You can," he said. There was a tremulous note in his voice. "You're strong—you're so, so strong. It's why I love you.”

“You and I are very strong, and so is your Poppa, but you're not so strong as a brick. When things happen, you will have to feel them. You can't try to avoid that; if it's your nature, go along with it”

“You're too strong to ever lose yourself. I believe that. Why can't you?”

“Everyone thinks you're so strong and self-confident, but inside you're a frightened child, waiting to suffer betrayal again from those who should love you most.”