." How?" I demanded, gesturing down at myself. "I'm not ME anymore... Idon't know how to be a girl. I don't WANT to be a girl..." I know dear," she...said, giving me a sad smile. "But it seems that youprobably won't have much choice about it."After a few minutes, Grandma talked me into coming out of the bathroom,saying that she'd fix me up a cup of hot cocoa. I wrapped the blanketaround myself again and staggered out to the living room where I satdown on the couch.Aaron stared at me with a. Jada gave a timid smile back. “You don’t know the baggage I’m carrying.”Mark gave a brief frown. “Well, maybe I don’t know the baggage you think you’re carrying. Jada, I’ve had the privilege to see into your soul. In all honestly, everything I saw was beautiful.” His happy grin was back.And the grin was contagious. Jada finally laughed back. “Oh, I bet you tell that to all the girls you sleep with!”“As a matter of fact, you’re right. But it’s also true you’re the first one.”Jada took a deep. .. Daddy was the very worst when he knew I was dying."Mommy could cry and let her sorrow out, but Daddy didn't. I'm not sure he even can. He just kept it inside, and I could feel it eating him up. He would have cheerfully given his life for mine." Turning to him, she buried her face in his neck and said, "You're the very best daddy in the whole world!"While his daughter burrowed in his neck, Kevin shook hands with Jeff and then kissed Susan. "Isn't there some line about 'out of the mouths of. " Then Thomas kissed Jose as he just stared at his new bride.This was becoming a nightmare.He had thought the Duke was stupid and only wanted one thing. But theman had a quick mind and was able to figure out who Thomas was and a lotabout his past in Castile. Thomas had underestimated the Duke's mind.Thomas should have guessed. One does not get to be one of the mostpowerful people in the country by being dumb. The Duke was highlyintelligent.The Duke said, "I agree with you my beloved Isabella..