They’re as much to me now as they would be if I had given birth to them. I got really lucky, honey, a worn out spook who has a chance at a normal li...e, complete with kids and a man who loves her. I’m begging you not to take it away from all of us.”I looked at her for a few seconds as she shifted nervously.“Kiss me.”She was startled. “What?”“If you love me, kiss me.”I was still just barely able to move, so she leaned down intending to give me a loving kiss when I bit her lip. She flinched back,. “I’ll pick you up for a date. Benny will pick up Cathy. You’ll probably want to introduce us to your parents. I’m sure they’ll be happy to meet the boys you’re dating. In fact, I’m sure they would insist on meeting us.“We’ll go to dinner and a movie as a double date. Then we’ll drop you at home. We can do that a couple of times before Christmas. Over the Christmas holidays, you can come up with an excuse to see us somewhere. You can go to our place and well ... what you do there is up to. Then it hit me, "Ohhh, I getit. This is some kind of a joke you and Hanna are playing on me. Nicetry, girls." I put my arm on the apparent Ashley's shoulder and gentlyguided her away from the doorway."Honey! You can come out now! Jokes over. Ashley told me everything. Yougot me! You definitely, definitely got me!" I stood there, awkwardly,waiting for Hanna to reveal herself. All the while Ashley gave me a slylook, leaning against the wall with her arms crossed and tapping herfoot impatiently on. I knew where to look as everyone went to this particular pub before ending their night and there were only 3 other pubs besides that so she wouldn't be hard to find.I saw her straight away as I walked quietly into the pub, she was down the far end in the corridor by the toilets and seemed to be talking to someone who I couldn't see. I walked into the lounge of pub where I knew I would be able to get a better look without being seen.Natalie was laughing and joking and all of a sudden I felt.