Miranda brushed out her short cap of shining honey-blonde hair as her new husband watched. Walter crept behind her and kissed the back of her neck. "Hi, Honey."

She giggled like an adolescent girl in the throes of her first crush. Her decision to marry Walter had been a sound one. He was everything she thought he would be and then some. Their relationship was both loving and sensual, and thus far, they were fairly well-matched. It was a fact that never ceased to astound her. That she had stumbled into this family, that she had found a man she loved enough to marry, that he had loved her back the same way.

"Any mail?" Walter asked.

Miranda sighed. What Walter was really asking was whether there was a letter from Nikita. His Sugar. It was obvious to her that Walter was missing Nikita, but he was stubborn about admitting this. Even to her.

"No, love. No mail from Nikita."

Walter smiled tightly and pretended it didn’t matter. But his heart hurt. He was missing his newly-adopted daughter. More than that, he missed having those two grandkids underfoot. And he would never tell anyone, including Miranda, but he actually missed Michael, Birkoff and Declan. He hadn’t realized that the house would seem so empty without all of them here. It had seemed like a godsend, being able to share the house with his new wife. Alone.

But, he thought wryly, you can only make love so many hours of the day, and then you still gotta face each other and the rest of your life. While he had no problems facing Miranda, that was when he realized that the house was empty without the rest of the family. The noise, the activity, the arguments, the making up afterwards. All of it he missed. He was lonely. But he would never confess such a thing to Miranda. She might take it the wrong way.

So he spent long hours working on the renovation of his and Miranda’s quarters. He was almost finished. When he completed those renovations, he was going to start on Declan’s quarters. That made him smile. He hoped that Birkoff was doing all right. He assumed he was. He never heard from him either. But then again, he and Declan were basically newlyweds, in a sense, and Walter understood how that part of the relationship went. Nothing outside of the two of them was as important. Not even him.

Walter sniffed. He was getting sentimental in his old age. Terrible trait. He hated it. He rubbed his wife’s shoulder and left the room. There was more work to be done. There was always more work.

***

Madeline smiled down at her son. He was almost five months old now. Her Connor. Neil joined her at the side of the crib. He wrapped an arm possessively around Madeline and kissed her temple. "I love you, my Maddy."

"I love you, too, Neil." She turned in his arms and settled against his chest.

"I’m so glad you understood about changing the baby’s name, Neil."

He snorted, the puff of air blowing a wisp of hair up from her forehead. "What kind of man, terrorist or no, does that to his own blood? I still can’t quite grasp how awful it must have been for Declan. And to keep that to himself all that time."

"I know, he couldn’t even tell me, Neil." Tears welled up in Madeline’s bittersweet chocolate eyes. "He must have hurt so badly...and so long."

Neil held Madeline as she cried. She was still emotionally labile, even five months after childbirth. As Madeline liked to refer to it, it was ‘that raging torrent of hormones’ that was responsible for her moodiness.

"Good thing Declan has Birkoff, eh, Maddy?" Neil said in an effort to reassure Madeline. "Even though you can’t be with him, at least Declan has someone loving and supporting him."

Madeline smiled through her tears at Neil. "Yes, love. That was the best thing that ever could have happened to either of them. That they found each other."

Neil rested his chin on the top of Madeline’s head. "You miss them, don’t you? Not just Declan. But all of them."

"It’s silly, I know. But sometimes I feel like we’re missing important pieces of each other’s lives because we’re apart this long. I mean, Connor is so big now, and Nikita hasn’t seen him since he was virtually a newborn."

Neil kissed her hair, the color and the texture reminding him of near-black velvet. "You’ll see them all again soon, my Maddy. I just feel it."

***

Birkoff sat on the end of the bed, seemingly lost in thought. Declan wasn’t sure if he should disturb him or not, but curiosity finally won out. "Okay, Sey, what’s weighing so heavy on your mind?"

Birkoff sighed. "Nothing exciting. Just feeling a bit homesick."

Declan scooted over to Birkoff’s side, giving him a quick kiss. "You miss home? Really?"

"Well, it’s the first place I really called home, Declan. The place I grew up with my parents hardly qualifies. And as for Section....well, we both know that wasn’t anybody’s idea of home."

Declan nodded. "You miss your puppy..."

Birkoff broke into a child-like grin. "I do! And Josephine! Nikita’s kitty!"

Declan smiled patiently. "What about Walter?"

"Well, of course, I miss Walter. He and I were best friends for so many years in Section. And out."

"Before me."

Birkoff frowned. "What do you mean?"

"Before I came along, I mean. I know I made it hard for the two of you to stay as close as before."

Declan looked uncharacteristically somber. Birkoff pulled on Declan’s chin until he was facing him. "Hey..."

"When two people get married, their relationship with their friends changes, right? Agree with me, Declan. I know I’m right about this."

Declan almost smiled. "You saying we’re married now?"

"Aren’t we?" Birkoff’s tone left no doubt how he felt.

Declan nodded. "My heart says we are, Sey."

Birkoff framed Declan’s face with his hands and kissed him gently. "So does mine, Dec," he whispered.

"Maybe we should go home for a short visit, Sey. Just to see how things are going and all." Declan saw his lover’s face brighten, and he knew he wasn’t wrong to suggest they go.

"You’d come with me, Dec?"

"Of course. Walter and I can trade old wives’ tales," Declan said, tongue very much in cheek.

"Hey, who you calling a wife?"

But Birkoff’s loving look made it more than evident that Birkoff cherished the role he had in Declan’s life. Declan kissed him tenderly, wrapping both arms around Birkoff’s neck. "You and only you, Sey."

"Damn right, Dec."

***

"You want to go home?" Nikita sounded surprised, as if she could not see how anyone would ever want to leave this idyllic place they had found.

Birkoff nodded. "Just for a short visit. We’d be back in no time, Nikita."

Nikita reclined in the overstuffed chair that sat in a corner of the sitting room, too comfortable to move. Lying next to her, Michael regarded her, a drowsy smile in place, his hand idly playing with a strand of her hair that had come loose from her long braid.

Nikita pondered. "That would leave us alone with the kids."

Michael nuzzled Nikita’s cheek. "We can handle it, Kita."

Birkoff was so eager to go, he would have promised to do anything in return for their passage home. "We can take them with us!" he blurted out.

Declan stared at Birkoff. "We can?" He caught Birkoff’s warning look and abruptly nodded. "I mean, we can!’

"Sure!" added Birkoff. "Walter would love to see the twins!"

Nikita considered that carefully. "That’s true, Michael. He would. They’ve grown so much in the last few months. They’re walking and talking..."

Michael kissed her cheek. "They’re so interesting..."

Nikita grinned. "Yes. Dad would definitely find them interesting. Wouldn’t he, Birkoff?"

Birkoff smiled, knowing he’d won. "He sure would."

Declan muttered under his breath, "Shouldn’t we at least give him fair warning?"

Birkoff continued to smile, whispering through clenched teeth. "Why should he be any luckier than the rest of us?"

Walter trudged to the door. He didn’t know why he bothered. No one ever came to see him and Miranda. No one ever called. No one ever wrote. He heaved a longsuffering sigh as he opened the door slowly.

"Surprise!"

Walter slammed the door shut without even thinking. Oh, my God! It was Declan and Birkoff! Speak of the very devil! He wrenched open the door again, looking into the very startled face of Seymour Birkoff, who was trying desperately to explain to a tearful Faith that her grandfather did not hate children.

"Gran’pa hate me?" Faith asked Birkoff, her lower lip aquiver.

Birkoff glared at Walter before bending down to pick up his goddaughter. "No, sweetie, Walter doesn’t hate you. He’s just an old grouch sometimes."

Declan held Chris on his hip and asked, "Were you planning to invite us in then? Or did you want to send us away?"

"Oh, for Heaven’s sake! Come in, come in, you both live here, you know! You didn’t forget that, did you?"

Walter waved them in with wild, windmilling gestures, then suddenly stood stockstill. "Oh, God. You do still live here, don’t you? You haven’t decided to move into your own place?"

Declan raised an eyebrow. "You know, Walter, I find it a mite inhospitable having this inquisition on the bloody doorstep..."

"Oh! Of course! Come on inside! And don’t mind...the mess..."

Declan surveyed the kitchen, his mouth dropping open in shock. "I must be doomed to see every vision of kitchen hell that there is, Sey. I swear."

"Is Miranda home, Walter?" Declan asked calmly, waiting for an answer before proceeding.

"No, she’s out shopping. Why?"

"Cause I wouldn’t want your new wife to hear what I think of this kitchen! It looks like you’ve used every bit of silverware as well as every plate we own! Don’t you two believe in washing dishes?"

"I’ve been busy," Walter said defensively.

Declan huffed. "I can see that. But not at washing dishes."

Birkoff suddenly put his fingers in his mouth and whistled shrilly. "Knock it off, guys! You’re not setting a very good example for the k-i-d-s."

Chris swiveled his head in Birkoff’s direction and giggled. "Chris!"

Walter stared blankly at Birkoff. "Huh?"

Birkoff shrugged. "Chris thinks whenever I spell, I’m spelling his name. I let him think so. It makes him happy."

Walter took a deep breath, and suddenly all was forgiven. Tears were standing in the older man’s eyes. Real tears. "God, I missed you guys!"

Walter grabbed Birkoff in a tight embrace, forcing him to relinquish his hold on Faith. Birkoff hugged Walter back, feeling his own homesickness and feelings about Walter overcoming any misgivings he might have had about coming home.

"I missed you, too, Walter," Birkoff sputtered out. Faith slid to the floor and stared up at the two men. "Gran’pa? Faith miss, too!"

"You did, sweetheart? That’s wonderful! Grandpa missed you, too! You’re such a big girl now!" Walter realized that it was true. Faith was indeed growing by leaps and bounds. She was going to be tall like her parents. That much was already apparent.

Faith held out her arms to Walter, begging for a hug from her grandfather, and Walter tearfully obliged. "Hello, little Sugar! You look just like your mommy!"

Birkoff sighed. "Actually, Walter, she looks just like Michael. Your eyes going, too?"

Walter straightened up, wiping a tear or two away. "Y’know, one thing I didn’t miss was your sarcastic tongue, Seymour."

Birkoff smiled briefly. "You’re such a liar, Walter. I love you!" He hugged Walter again, and the older man unbent enough to smile back.

Walter went to the door and peered outside, as if he were looking for someone. "You guys--er--came alone? With the kids?"

"Yes, Walter," Declan replied. "It’s so nice to be wanted."

Walter shrugged. "I said hello to you Declan. What do you want? Blood?"

"It’s obvious you’re looking for Nikita. Guess we’re a poor substitute."

Birkoff smacked Declan on the arm. "Stop that, Dec! You’re really pushing Walter’s buttons."

Walter smiled, but the smile never reached his eyes. His tone brittle, he said, "That’s okay, Seymour, I understand how it is."

Birkoff rolled his eyes. "Guys, you make me feel like a wishbone."

Declan nodded. "We’re fighting over you, Sey. Guess who feels like the outsider in his own house?"

"Declan!" Birkoff didn’t know whether to be flattered or outraged.

"You’ve had him all to yourself, Declan, for months. You could be nicer about sharing him," started Walter.

"I don’t see why I have to share him at all, Walter."

Declan was looking daggers at Walter, and Walter was unimpressed. He was just mad enough not to care about how dangerous Declan could be.

"Maybe you could try to understand," Walter offered.

"So could you, Walter. I’m sure you don’t go offering your wife’s companionship to friends who come to dinner. Isn’t that a fair analogy for what you’re asking me to do?"

Walter thought about that for a long moment and decided that Declan was right, strangely enough. He said so.

"Good, I'm glad we got that cleared up. Now, Sey, you two go on and settle the kids. I’ve got major cleaning up to do in here."

"You don’t have to do that, Declan. It was my mess," said Walter.

"Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth, Walter," Declan declared firmly before turning his back on the two men.

Walter gathered up Faith and Chris and left the kitchen, leaving Declan alone with Birkoff. Birkoff hissed at Declan, "What’s the matter with you, Declan? You’re giving Walter such a hard time!"

"I don’t know, Sey. I’m...I’m...oh, God, I’m jealous!" Declan looked stunned at his own statement.

Birkoff laughed heartily. "Now that’s one of the dumbest things I ever heard!"

"I know you don’t fancy him, if that’s what you’re crowing about, Sey. I guess I’m just jealous of how close the two of you are."

"Well, we are--were--best friends, Dec."

"And you will be again, Sey. It’s okay." Declan slammed the cabinet shut, barely missing his hand.

Birkoff grabbed Declan’s hand and kissed it. "And I thank you for that, Declan. But I need to know you’re okay with this."

"As long as you lie down next to me at night, Sey, I can’t complain." Declan resumed putting away things that didn’t need to be washed.

"Declan..." Birkoff drawled Declan’s name. "I’ve never known you to be petty before."

"Oh, I am, boyo, I can be real petty. I’m...dammit, I want to say I don’t mind, Sey, but the truth is...I feel like I just came along to watch the kids." Declan closed his eyes, annoyed with himself for acting like this, but totally unable to help it.

Birkoff blinked. "Declan, you missed him, too! You’re ticked cause he didn’t admit he missed you! God, you two are unbelievable!" Birkoff grabbed Declan by the hair and pulled him around to face him again.

"He’s never going to admit he missed you, Dec! You know how he is!"

"Yeah, I guess I do." Declan sighed.

Birkoff wrapped his arms around Declan and kissed him, hard, on the mouth. "You still have me, if that counts for anything."

"Oh, it does, Sey. You know that’s the most important thing to me."

"Then kiss me back, quick, so I can go help Walter with the kids."

Declan slid his mouth over Birkoff’s in a kiss that took Birkoff’s breath away. Birkoff gasped when Declan released him. "Wow..."

"Just so you don’t forget me, Sey."

Birkoff’s eyes grew even darker, if that were possible. He reached up and tugged on Declan’s ear, whispering, "I love you, Declan."

Declan nodded. "I love you, too. Now go on with you..."

***

Miranda let herself into the house, both arms laden with groceries. The bags were so much bigger than she was, the tiny woman was literally dwarfed by them. The first thing she noticed was that the kitchen was spotless. How did that happen? She had been harassing Walter to clean up the kitchen for days, no, make that weeks. He always found some excuse or some work to do. But this...was amazing.

She put down the groceries on the kitchen table. Before she could put them away, a strong hand reached out and nearly tickled her nose. "Hi, Captain. How’ve you been?"

"Declan!" Miranda flung both arms around the much taller man. "How are you? When did you get here? Is anyone else with you?"

"Whoa, Captain! One question at a time, please. I’m fine. We got here about an hour ago. Birkoff and I brought the kids with us. How’s that?"

Miranda’s eyes were shining, not unlike her hair. "You don’t know how wonderful this is, Declan! Oh, Walter would never admit it, but he’s missed all of you. Terribly."

"He has, has he?" Declan gave Miranda a considering look. "Even me?"

"Certainly, Declan. He and Birkoff have always been close, the way I understand it, but he seems very grateful that the two of you are making each other happy."

"He does?" Declan looked almost surprised. He shrugged. Well, live and learn. He would just have to find some way to make up for his gross error in judgment. Now what would make Walter truly happy?

Walter could not believe how much the twins had grown. Not just in size, but in every possible way. Two distinctly different personalities. Faith had the look of her father, all right, but her restlessness and her impulsive nature were all Nikita. Even if she did learn how to utilize her father’s blank stare. The first time Faith did that totally disconcerted Walter.

"Sheesh, what a kid! She must be a real handful sometimes, eh, Birkoff?"

Birkoff smiled. "Yeah, she is. But I wouldn’t change a thing about her. She’s so...real."

Walter laughed shortly. "I actually understood that, Birkoff. Jeez, it’s great to have you back."

Birkoff sat on the floor, cross-legged, and played with his goddaughter. The two of them were building a tower of blocks, but Birkoff was convinced that the only part Faith really liked was knocking it down when they were done.

"How’s Madeline? Neil? The...baby?"

"Maddy comes over once in a great while. She’s so wrapped up in that kid of hers, she hardly ever leaves the house."

"You actually miss her?" Birkoff grinned.

Walter grumbled for a long time before actual words came out of his mouth. "Well..........yeah. A little."

Birkoff placed a hand over Walter’s. "Walter...I don’t know how to say this without sounding like...I don’t want you to take this the wrong way, okay?"

Walter nodded soberly. "Sounds serious, Birkoff. What is it? Things okay between you and His Irish Majesty?"

Birkoff almost smiled at that. He would have to remember that one. It suited Declan. "That’s just what I wanted to talk to you about..."

Walter nodded. "So? Talk," he barked.

"Maybe you don’t like him. And that’s your prerogative. You don’t have to like him. But...could you at least treat him civilly? Whether I’m around or not? I just want Declan to have the respect you would give anyone else. I’m not asking for special treatment."

"Good, I’m glad to hear it." Walter frowned. "But where did you get the idea that I don’t like Declan?"

"You’re always teasing him and putting him down and..."

"I’ve done that to you for years, Seymour. It’s the way I am. I do it to Sugar, too. Though in a slightly different way, I’ll admit. Only person I never tease is Michael. Man in black’s got no damn sense of humor, I can see."

"So you mean you are treating him like everyone else?"

"Well, yeah. I wouldn’t ever tell him myself, but Declan is a good man, Birkoff. You waited a long time to be happy...and I guess what I’m saying is, I’m glad you two found each other."

Birkoff let out a deep breath and whooped. "You have no idea how great you are, Walter!" Birkoff embraced the older man and kissed him on the cheek.

Walter sputtered nervously. "Now don’t go getting mushy on me, Seymour! You know how I get!"

"Yeah, yeah....I do." Birkoff could hardly wait to tell Declan. Acceptance into the family was important to both of them. It wasn’t that they needed Walter’s approval, but it made things so much better.

Faith didn’t understand the grown-ups’ conversation, but she liked it when her Uncle Sey was happy. He was not only kind to her, he talked to her without patronizing her. He told her stories. He had dancing eyes.

***

Chris would have felt left out, but Declan refused to let Faith hog all the attention. Declan entered the living room with Chris at his side, Miranda following close behind him. "Hey, Walter. Let me re-introduce you to your grandson. The little prince."

"Hey, Declan," Walter said avuncularly, causing a muscle near Declan’s mouth to twitch.

"You’re being nice." Though it was a statement, not a question, Birkoff heard the note of uncertainty in Declan’s voice.

"Yeah, well..." Walter gave him a sheepish grin. "C’mere, you big Irish potato-head. I’m under orders. From the boss here."

Declan’s eyes flashed for a second, then quieted. "Oh, I see. You wouldn’t know to be nice to me unless someone told you to be."

Walter stood up and grabbed the taller man, hugging him tightly. "You damn clod! I missed you, too! What happened to you, Declan? You used to have a great sense of humor!"

Declan finally relented, relaxing his body against Walter’s. "Yeah, I did. I still do. I guess I just temporarily misplaced it, that’s all." He wrapped his arms around Walter. "You’ve been good to me in the past, Walter. I’m sorry we got off on the wrong foot coming back here."

Birkoff jumped up and embraced the two of them, yelling "Group hug! Group hug!" Miranda laughed and extended the embrace one more person. Faith and Chris hopped up and down. "Hug! Hug! Me too!"

***

Madeline hung up the phone, a secretive smile creeping across her beautiful countenance. "Neil! Neil!"

He came running, on the double, his lab coat flapping behind him like a great white flag. "What? What is it, Maddy? Bad news?"

"No, my love. Very good news. Guess who just came home?"

***

When the doorbell rang this time, Walter was prepared. He flung open the door, and there stood Madeline and Neil. Madeline cradled her new baby in her arms and smiled beatifically at Walter. "Heard you’ve got company, Walter."

Walter grinned at Madeline. "Good news travels faster than bad."

He invited them inside, with considerably more aplomb than the previous time he opened the door, indicating that everyone was in the living room, getting re-acquainted.

Madeline saw the twins and exclaimed at once, "Oh, my goodness! They’ve gotten so big!"

Neil broke out in a genuine smile, admiring his handiwork. The twins were living proof of his skill. That was one of the things he loved about his work. It had very real consequences, but it also had some tremendous perks. "They’re beautiful, both of them."

Declan saw Madeline and his heart leapt into his throat. "Maddy!" he cried hoarsely. "It’s so good to see you!"

Declan ran to her and hugged her, belatedly realizing that she held the new baby. "Sorry. Is this Just--er, Connor?"

"Yes, Declan," she said, a patient smile tracing her lips. She reached out and stroked Declan’s hair. "This is your namesake."

Declan was totally overcome by runaway emotions. He couldn’t detach himself from them quickly enough to maintain a calm facade, they were that strong. Declan refused to let the anger and the pain he felt towards his late brother, Justin, take over. He fought for control and allowed the sweeter, kinder emotions full rein.

He would never have a child of his own. He loved Chris as if he were his own son, but he knew Chris belonged to Michael and Nikita. As did Faith. But this child was named for him. This child was as close to that kind of immortality as he might come. He already claimed Maddy as the mother of his heart. Connor, in that sense, felt like blood kin to him.

"Hello, Connor," Declan said, his voice nearly breaking. Birkoff came up behind Declan and ran his hand along Declan’s back. Declan turned at Birkoff’s touch, and Birkoff saw the unshed tears in Declan’s eyes. He was trying so hard to be brave, but this had to be hard. Birkoff was afraid that Declan would lose control if he touched him any further, so he held back. He didn’t think that Declan would thank him if Birkoff made him lose face in front of everyone. Especially now.

Still, Declan’s lower lip trembled ever so slightly, and Birkoff wondered if he was doing the right thing. Madeline became the catalyst, setting things in motion. She lay her infant son carefully in Declan’s arms, beseeching him silently to acknowledge him in any way he could.

"He’s beautiful, Maddy," Declan said almost inaudibly. "So big now."

Madeline nodded, unable to speak.

Neil affectionately regarded his son in the arms of the man Madeline considered family. "He looks comfortable with you, Declan," stated Neil.

"Aye, he must have Irish blood in him somewhere, Neil." Declan half-smiled.

He leaned down and held out the baby boy for Faith and Chris to see. "Look, Chris, a baby. See, Fee? This is how little you were not so long ago."

Chris stared at the baby, his thumb in his mouth. All at once, a bright smile broke out on his face. "Bay-bee."

Faith looked at the baby, her brows knitting together as if she were plotting something.

Declan quirked an inquiring expression at Faith. "What is it, Faith? Do you see the little baby?"

Oh, she saw it all right. Just what they needed around here. More competition.

Michael led Nikita through the forest, much as he had so many months ago, when they first came to the chateau. "Michael, it’s so beautiful out here at night."

Forget the night. Or the moonlight. Though it now danced splendidly throughout the forest, dappling Nikita’s body and hair with bright flashes of unearthly light. Michael only had eyes for Nikita.

It was now...as it was in the beginning....

There were only the two of them.

Michael stopped at the entrance to the wishing bridge. He took Nikita’s hands in his, running his fingers over hers, almost compulsively. "You’re wearing everything I asked for?"

She nodded.

It was true. In addition to her wedding ring and her engagement ring, she wore the diamond eternity ring and the melded hearts necklace he’d given her. Michael claimed he was not superstitious, yet he believed in all these things as talismans. Physical, even spiritual representations of their love.

Michael held her lightly, his fingertips tracing a lazy pattern over her bare arms. She shivered. "Are you cold, doucette?"

"Just the opposite, Michael."

He smiled, but he was strangely nervous, as if this were the first time they had ever made love. It was important to both of them, this night. It was the right time, the right place. Everything was right.

Nikita felt Michael’s hands tremble, and she wondered what he was thinking. She would have been surprised to know that he was nervous at all. He looked as calm as he normally did. Even during a mission. In a sense, he had performance anxiety. He wanted this night to be memorable. For both of them. But because it was beautiful...and poetic...and romantic...not because he couldn’t make love to her.

"Michael...are you putting pressure on yourself again? Please...if it doesn’t happen tonight, it will happen some other night. I swear, you’re more worried about me conceiving than I am." She smiled gently and stroked the side of his face, knowing how this soothed him.

"Michael...if it’s meant to be...now...it will be."

He kissed her tenderly. There was no sense of urgency in either of them. They had all night long. All summer long. It would take as long as it took.

"I want you to remember tonight...like we remember making the twins...on the rooftop that night."

"My wonderful dark knight," she whispered to him, caressing his neck and his shoulders. "I remember all our nights..."

And so it was...as it should be...

When he slipped the nightdress from her warm body, it pooled at her feet in a silken puddle. He stared at her in total awe. His arms slid down her thighs and back up again, his eyes following his hands in their journey. "Si belle..." he whispered. So beautiful.

When he finished disrobing himself, Michael looked shyly into Nikita’s light blue eyes. The love and desire he saw reflected there paled in comparison to what he still held deep inside his heart. As often as they made love, as much as he told her how he loved her, it could never approach what he truly felt, in his heart of hearts. Ten lifetimes would not be enough time to tell her or show her.

All he could do was hope that her heart heard and understood what his heart wanted her to know. I love you, doucette, more than mere words, more than these talismans you wear, more than your physical being. The essence that is you is eternally entwined with the essence that is me...and we can never be separated again. There is no you...no me...there is only us....

...and when he made them one...

Their spirits danced above them, twisting and turning, this way, then that way, until there was simply a blurring, an indistinct haze of the essence of them.

And when it was over...they lay together in each other’s arms, their breathing erratic, their hearts racing but in synch somehow...for this was how it was...with them.

And so it would be...always and forever.