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"Or mine," she told him "I’d prefer you wear a tux"

He stared into her eyes "When I attend your wedding?" he asked cautiously

"Oh, no You’re stillto help el You’ll be busy"

He kissed her cheek "I can’t wait"

LARISSA CLIMBED THE stairs to her apartreat She’d been booked solid withwith athletes all these years, taking care of regular people with ordinary muscles was a breeze

She opened her front door only to stop when she saw Jack sitting on the sofa, Dyna draped across his lap

He looked good, she thought wistfully Handsouy with a fluffy cat on his lap? He didn’t see itself to his pants

When he saw her, he picked up Dyna and moved her to the side, then stood

"You’re home," he said

She nodded

She hadn’t seen hi hour, had missed him, ached for him, cried for hi What she hadn’t done was fall out of love with hi toward hi to be closer Nearer Next to

He crossed to her, then took both her hands in his His dark eyes locked with hers

"I’m sorry," he told her "Sorry for what I said and how I acted Sorry for being selfish, immature and stupid I hurt you I lashed out and there’s no excuse for my behavior, so I won’tCo I hurt everyone I care about Worst of all, I hurt you"

He brought her hands to his chest and placed her palms flat on his shirt

"My heart beats only because of you," he said quietly "I breathe for you I exist because I love you, Larissa You are whothat to you"

He seemed toBut happy tears, she thought, trying to take it all in Joyful tears

"I love you," he repeated, then he pulled a small box out of his pants pocket "I know it’s a lot to ask right now, but will you marry me? I want it all, but only with you I want Percy down the hall and cats and chiweenies running around Move in a couple of owls and snakes Whatever makes you happy"

"I wants kids," she said, not sure where the words had corinned "Good Like twenty?"

She shook her head "Three Maybe four"

"I can do that I can do whatever you want Larissa, it was always you I’ I’m sorry I had to hurt you before I understood how lucky I am to have you in my life"

She searched his face and what she saw there healed her broken heart "You sure?"

"Yes Until you I didn’t truly understand what love could be I get it now"

"Then you get me," she said simply