"He squeezed her hand back. "For these blessings, Lord," he said, forgetting what he was thankful for or maybe appropriating hers, "for this food and ...or this family, we give thee thanks."They all three said "Amen." Bill took over the job of feeding Kathy. He worked harder at being a father than most biological dads.Two months after they'd met, he'd proposed. She'd broken down, told him all about Alan, all about being pregnant, all about being abandoned. He had comforted her, made gentle love. It’s quite possible you’d end up in a brothel where you’d get more sex than you want...”The shocked Marcie wailed and burst into tears.Calypso turned and moved around the sofa to Shellie. She opened her arms, and told her, “Absolutely none of this is your fault. You are welcome to a hug or to share a cuddle in our bed anytime you need. Follow your choices and not what others might think. And if it comes to it,” she looked significantly at Marcie, “you have my permission to protect. ‘It will either be ‘coffee, lunch or dinner’, his words. We haven’t made any specific plan yet.’ ‘Maybe something will happen then,’ Zoe said hopefully. ‘I do hope so, actually,’ Elle agreed. ‘I really, really like him.’ A jittery feeling settled itself in her stomach as she entertained the thoughts of Ben cared for or liked her even. Zoe picked up on her mood immediately. ‘You’re thinking about dating him, aren’t you?’ she said teasingly. Elle merely shrugged and Zoe nodded as if she knew. “It’s no big deal, we’ve done it before. It’s fine, it’s not awkward or anything.” She ended her speech with that trademark sweet smile with hers, although her eyes were still slightly moist from her earlier frustration.“As long as we’re all in agreement.” Chris added, his smile now faded.I scrunched my lips up together in annoyance. “Fine.” I conceded, turning around. “I’m going to go get ready for bed.” I rounded the corner and disappeared into the staircase, not quite going down as I wanted.