That was him, he had always done things well. She had been the sloppy one. He had always been perfect in her mind.She kept looking at him, the years h...d not tarnished him, they had given him strength, had added silver hairs to his temples and some expression lines around his mouth. To her, he stood larger than life, unmoved by all and everything, a man in command of his destiny. She still failed, after all the years, to see otherwise.She saw him go to his office, a serious man with an intent. ?You dropped out just before your seventeenth birthday and your parents don't want to know you. I know the reason for that as well by the way. Actually, I know your father very well. Lord Laurie and myself go back a long long way.?There was all but a deep, exhaling groan that poured from between Stephane's lips as the masses of knowledge that Claudette held on him was given to him, a little bit at a time. He seemed to shrink into his seat in incremental steps as things began to unravel in. No one in their right mind is going to believe this because I don't."He walked over to his britches and swept them up in hand. Pulling up his underwear first, Pardin took a moment to stare that her half naked form. Without trying to pose, she looked voluptuous and worth ravishing until he remembered the circumstances. At least all that he had lost in the deal was fettock leaves, which were plentiful and easy to find."Did you lie when you said taking your virginity was mating for life?" Pardin. Not many people were immune to her smile, her tendency to huganyone willing to take one, her infectious laugh, or the way she adoptedthe people around her into her family, making everyone who wanted to beinto a son or daughter.Her daughter Samantha and her family came early and helped change thedining room into Birthday Central, with pink streamers and balloons hungin every corner. The center table was piled with presents, some of themhaving spent long trips in the mail to arrive in time for.