QUOTE : He didn’t say anything, which daunted her for a moment, but then she saw that his eyes were warm. So she said, tentatively:<br /> “You came for me.”<br /> “Yes.”<br /> “And took care of me when I was ill.”<br /> “Yes.”<br /> “Why?”<br /> “Because I love you.”<br /> Without moving a muscle, she let his words sink in. Reverberate. Settle in her bones. Was this much happiness even possible? Joy so great one couldn’t even smile? <br /> “Say it again.”<br /> “I love you.”<br /> “Again.”<br /> “I love you, Livia. I’ve loved you for weeks — for months — quite possibly from the moment I met you. But it’s taken me far too long to understand that. Understand myself.”<br /> “Can you say it one more time?”<br /> “Yes. I’ll be saying it every day for the rest of my life, if you’ll let me. I love you.