He had told her that he "valued what we have and never wanted to lose it." He had actually thanked her again that she "was the kind of woman he could ...alk to about anything".That had started long before they had gotten married, talking meaningfully and respectfully about anything and everything. Things could be so very unbalanced otherwise, she mused as she arranged some wildflowers she had gotten on her break in a mason jar she then placed on the freshly scrubbed and tableclothed wooden table. We will help you find a good man to be your husband and father to your children."Marita's face went from shock, to sadness, to loving, and to excitement. I really enjoyed having her as our friend and helper with John, but I didn't want another wife. Mom gave me an extra hug later and said, "You are so special, Michael. Thank you for being my straitlaced son."One of these days I was going to convince my wife that I only wanted one wife, not several to have babies and to take care of me.My. Sarah has definitely decided to move in with me next weekend and we've been busy packing a lot of her stuff into boxes and transferring them to the guestroom at my place. I will hire a van to move the larger stuff later. Of course, Mother still doesn't really approve, but she and Sarah talk to each other now on more or less equal terms without the frostiness of a few months ago. Mother actually seems a lot happier and she is making friends with others at the store. With Christmas almost upon. Stay your blade, or you'll hear all her pretty bones snap. She'll scream then die choking. It's quite... excruciating.”“No, no, no,” Greta sobbed. “Please, please, don't hurt her.”The image blazed in my mind. With sight stolen from me, my fears conjured a sight that felt so real. Princess Ava wrapped up in the purple scales, those bronzes diamonds flashing as the naga squeezed. My betrothed's face twisted in agony as her body compressed. Her face grew red as she shook, joints popped, ribs.