The knock was so light, he almost missed it. He was instantly worried because it was so late, and hurried from his bed to answer. Maomao stood there, dressed for sleep. To his utter shock she reached for him the second she saw him. He pulled her close and held her in a tight embrace. 'Are you okay? ' he asked gently.

'I don 't know, ' she replied.

He pulled her into the room and shut the door. For several seconds they stood holding each other and then she said softly, 'I heard what you said. '

He relaxed his hold a little and looked down, 'You heard what I said? '

She kept her face buried in his chest, 'About how you feel. '

He continued to hold her with one arm, and he freed one hand to lift her chin so he could see her face. 'I meant it, ' he told her.

She stared at him with her beautiful sapphire eyes, then went up on her tiptoes, her hand reaching up and guiding his face down to meet hers.