Page 49 (1/2)

Our tiether

"I think I understandTho him in her delicate arms "Why he was hoiththe back of her neck gently

"How do you mean?"

"He was older when I was born He knew he only had ten, s I would need to know I think that’s why he treated hter" She runs the tip of her finger down Thomas’s round cheek "If I knew ht be hard on hi, like steel, so no one could ever hurt him So they couldn’t bend him or break him This life, Edward--it’s so easy to be broken by it"

Thomas’s little mouth stretches into a yawn Lenny kisses his cheek, then leans her head onat hi We’ll have years and years and years with Thoo to school and have friends And he will run and play and laugh"

"And he will swing," I finish for her

When she looks atin every corner of the gardens so you and our boy can swing anyti days are past, Edward"

"Not if I have anything to say about it" I press a kiss to her pretty lips and wrap , Lenny"

Two years later

WE SIT ON A YELLOW checkered blanket, a full picnic basket and a bottle of chilled Cha nearby I’ red polka-dot swilih away that it doesn’t feel like they’re really here

It feels like it’s just us

Our fa the waves, with Nanny never far behind The air is warh he doesn’t care Our little Prince plays hard, swings high, laughs loud and swiasp and turn just in ti into the ocean I chuckle, and Lenora does too

"He is utterly and co amusement

Then she closes her eyes, tilts her face up to the sun and breathes deeply, a contented shly loved, and it’s a fantastic look on her My chest tightens with my own soul-deep happiness--and pride--because I like to think I had sohts?"

Lenny turns her se toward Anthorp Castle, out to the forest, then back down across the beach and rocks and crashing waves

"This is my favorite place in the whole orld"

She says it with a sigh, almost reverently

I rest down on h to feel the heat on her sun-warmed skin and smell the lilacs in her hair

"This old place? Why?"

"Close your eyes"

When I don’t immediately comply, she puts her hands over my eyes--and I nip at her thuht up there with Thohterit’s my very favorite sound

"Close your eyes"

When I do, she tells me, "Now listen"

I do as I’ her soft gaze

"I don’t hear anything"

"Exactly Nothing but waves and birds and the swaying trees No people or duties, no ca for milesbut space I can think here, I can breathe here, I can be myself here"

She lifts her hand and presses it tenderly tomore than to be with you and Thomas every moment, of every day, for always"