"Yes, tis a fickle thing, the heart, but it always knows what it wants when it knows what the want is. I love you more than I ever have but I can be patient; I can wait if you need the time to make it right. Don't go in and do something stupid. Believe in yourself, Francis. Learn to love yourself and let your heart love you. Believe me, it's hard and it's so very perilous but you can do it. I'll be there every step of the way. I promise."

"I will, I promise." Francis returned, his arms encircling her as he kissed her on the lips once more.

The wedding ring hung loose from his fingertip. He knew what he must do, whether it went against Gabrielle's wishes of not to do something stupid or not, he couldn't be patient any more. He had been patient his whole life, and had married another woman and had children because Gabrielle Murray had made him wait and now she was here in his arms, beneath his lips, asking him to wait some more. Tease.