" Vanessa said as she rose from her chair, still completely unwilling to 'handle' anything!"Stop that!" Tanya insisted, reaching out and touching Vane...sa's arm. "I don't want you to leave! Don't you see that it's like running away? Don't run from me, Vanessa – please? I want to help you work this out. I want to see you happy."Vanessa stared at Tanya for a moment, unable to keep the tears from springing to her eyes and down her cheeks. "I love you," Vanessa whimpered, "I realized that last night. "What's so funny?" Emma asked."It's a bit long on you." The robe was so big on her. The hem, which on his six-foot-three frame reached his calves, touched the floor on her."Well, it's not my fault you're at least a foot taller than me," she said before sticking her tongue out at him.Bryan laughed and tapped her cute nose. "Watch that tongue. I may take that as an invitation."Emma thought for a moment then, with a devilish look in her eye, stuck her tongue out again.Bryan let out a growl.Emma. I was glad he hadn't caught me.'Well then, you have my thanks, poor old Whiskers has a tendency to get stuck in things, he's a bit curious for a cat.' He chuckled at his own pun and I smiled weakly.'Now then, can I ask you in for a drink?''No that's ok.' I started to make my retreat, 'Now that I know Whiskers is ok I had better get home, my Grandma has been a bit sick so I was going to take a casserole over to her.''What a fine young man you are.' He beamed with pride. 'If only my daughter. " He tucked the blankets more securely around her shoulders and feet. "I'll be back in a few minutes. Why don't you take a nap? It'll help your appetite." Mac and cheese for me. Broth for her."It was a simple enough meal to prepare. When he went into the kitchen the mess on the counter reminded him that he hadn't yet cleaned up the dishes from breakfast and lunch. He decided to do them while he waited for the water to boil. He decided to bring her soup into the family room and feed her while.