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"You're serious about this?"

"I am," I said "I'm sorry I was so resistant I'm sorry I made you feel like you had to say no But if you've lost everything else here, how could I be the one to say no? I can still paint I can write I'll still have you and Sophie And my dad can visit anytime he feels like"

"We'd have to get a really big house there so Ethan and Elaine could come and stay for the winter"

"We would Somewhere close to the water Maybe a renovated old house with a huge acreage I'd love for Sophie to grow up surrounded by nature instead of the streets of Manhattan"

"Seriously? I'd have thought you would want her to grow up in the city the way you did"

I shook my head "I've soured a bit on Manhattan since all this happened The way the press treated you How predatory everyone is -- the tabloids, the paparazzi The character assassination I want to live somewhere with a nice rural feel to it, where people are private and polite"

"We could find a place close to the ocean That would be nice"

We kissed and my heart filled with love for him He didn't pushht decision

"Thank you," he said "I love you so much"

"I love you so much," I replied and kissed him once more

We fell asleep that way, lying together, with him spooned behind me

Webut it was plain old vanilla sex

"I hope you're not disappointed," he said and kissed asht's success, but I just wanted to be inside of you as soon as possible"

"Never," I said and pulled hiasm, and a thin sheen of moisture from exertion covered me When the kiss broke, I locked eyes with him "I told you that you could take control in the bedroom I know you'll always make me happy and you do"