"Of course I want every night. Of course," she tells him. "Space has served us well, but I haven't enjoyed it. I need you by my side. You know that, don't you, Clive?"
"I know." But he needed time. For himself, maybe, like he did last December but without all the hostility, or the nihilism. Could she understand that? He still cannot say. "We should be together."
"Then come back to our bedroom. I won't send you away again. I swear it," she tells him, eyes searching his. "If it's too soon... we will work through it, we will talk, like we have today."
Jill smiles in relief, eyes closing as she nuzzles his nose in return. He could have said no. He could have said they needed more time apart. Maybe he'd be right, but she wants to try to navigate who they are with one another, together.
"Not with our diligence," he says, and he kisses her briefly on the corner of the mouth, still looking at her. "I promise you it all and everything, Jill. Everything I can give."
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"Mine," she says. "Mine to love and know better than anyone else."
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"Of course I want every night. Of course," she tells him. "Space has served us well, but I haven't enjoyed it. I need you by my side. You know that, don't you, Clive?"
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"For as long as you'll have me, Jill."
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"I'll come upstairs again." He leans in to brush his nose against hers. "And we'll talk every night."
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"And it won't ruin anything," she promises.
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"Don't use all your vows just yet," she teases.
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"I will cherish them all, just as I treasure you," she tells him. "In all our time here... I've only ever wanted to be with you."