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“Your sister sent nant?”

“She didn’t say If she isn’t, it’s not for lack of trying”

Gabriel wrinkled his nose “I don’t need that kind of ie of you, either But she was almost as happy as me e consummated our relationship”

“I find that hard to believe,” he whispered, pulling her into his ar forward to visiting us in Ca to kiss you”

Julia laughed “Just ahis lips to within an inch of hers

“This is i look “Rachel and Aaron would like us to light a candle for them in Assisi They want us to pray that they’ll have a baby”

“I think Richard’s prayers would befor one htness of hope that shone in his eyes, as if his unanswered prayer were a treasure that he desperately desired

Julia noted the change but said nothing She’d just celebrated her triu out into acade a child Somehow the hope in his eyes ht in his eyes di at me like that?” He released her from his arms

“Like what?”

“Like you’re repulsed by ht of having a child with me so repulsive?” Gabriel’s features hardened

“Of course not” She wound their fingers together “It’s difficult for me to think about children when I’d rather focus on conference presentations and grad school”

“It isn’t an either-or proposition, Julianne I’d never make you sacrifice your dreah” His voice was glacial

“As you reat deal of pain”

“Point taken” He released her hand and gestured to the hallway “Shall we?”

“Gabriel” She placed a light hand on his arht of having little blue-eyed boys with you made me happy It still does”

“Then why can’t we talk about it? God, Julianne If ere going to go to Africa, we’d talk about it If ere going to build a house, we’d talk about it Why can’t we talk about having a child?”

“Because I can’t say no to you, not when you look so happy and hopeful” Her eyes filled with tears “I can’t bear to be the one standing between you and your drea,” hecould be further from my mind”

His hand found the skin of her neck, underneath her hair, and he stroked it tenderly

“This isn’t the best place to have this conversation, but I promise I don’t think of you that way I told you I’d wait I understand you want to finish your progra you yesterday, I don’t knohen I’ve been more proud of you You were fantastic” He pressed his lips to just below her ear “When I bring up the subject of a faing up a topic thatthat it will make you happy too We can talk about the future anda farounds I know that you’ve given thethat we talk about it But we certainly don’t need to talk about it now I’ it up on the heels of your lecture Just promise eneral of terms”