He will keep me from getting scared.”To him, I asked, “All better now? Yes. No. Noise.”“Be right back,” I told him and headed up to mom to g...t some disposable earplugs that block out much of the shrill jet engine noise.I got back down to him, rolled one between his fingers, got his head to the side, gently tugged on his ear, and slid one right in as far as it would go without causing him pain when it expanded. I did that to his other ear as well.“Better?” I asked and got a happy nod.To his mom,. . for as long as we love one another, for ... all time and eternity, together forever.”“I know pronounce us married for a lifetime. Can I kiss the bride?”“Yes – you better kiss me one hundred times every day, or I’ll have this marriage annulled.”That made me chuckle and I said, “How about one hundred and one times a day?”“That’ll do.”We got the rest of our things put away, either on hangers or, in the several different drawers that were part of our closets.Before she put away her bras and. Some died before the purges began a few months ago. I hear one of yours did for his daughter. They say he was never the same after that." "I see." Lily's voice went grave. "I'm not going to regret telling you that, am I?" "No, no no. I swear. I've crossed one too many monarchs." "Good," she said. "I'd hate to have to Devour you." "Curiously enough, I'd hate that too," I said. "Well, then I'm sure we'll keep that little tidbit between us." "Naturally," I said. "You think I won't know if you tell. ”Groaning he replied, “You’re trying to kill me aren’t you?” Then it hit him. “Oh God.”“What, what’s wrong?”“I forgot to ask. How could I forget? I’m always telling Theo to remember… Shit.”“Jer what is it?”“We didn’t use any protection.”Her eyes got wide, then kind of teary. “Oh, Oh, Oh…” “Marie?”“I’m not on the pill. I haven’t taken it in years.”“It’ll be alright. If anything happens, I’ll be there.” Kissing the top of her head, he brought her close again.“If it helps, I don’t regret anything.