Somehow, despite the years, she still carries the stars in her eyes; she even has the haughty tilt to her chin, but where it betrayed her immaturity before, now it just reminds their subject who is queen here. Damn him, it takes all he has to not fall to his knees and worship the swoop of her collarbone.

Instead, he grimaces at the cracker crumbs she leaves in their bed to keep from gawking at the sight of her between the sheets. "If I didn't love you so much, I'd throttle you."

"Charming," she quips and then pinches his hip. "I guess I'll be sleeping in the guest room tonight."

Quickly, he nearly tosses himself across her lap to keep her in place. "I," he announces loudly, "have decided to forgive you."

She can't even stop her giggle as she pats his cheek. "How generous of you."

"You have no idea," he murmurs, pressing kisses from her wrist on up, silently thanking whatever kindly fate brought her back to him.