The words were strung in the air like garland. She could almost see them.

He reached out and pushed some hair behind her ears. The gesture was tender, but it hit her with an unexpected force, like when you're in the ocean and a wave hits you. It's so soft and coll that it surprised you that it has such strength.

But surprises were nothing new to her. Like opening a can of mushroom soup and finding tomato instead; be grateful and eat it anyway.

I needed to stop being what everyone thought I was.

I spent so much time telling myself that this wasn't home that I started to believe it," she said carefully. "Belonging has always been tough for me." I can be your home," he said quietly. "Belong to me.

Stability was overrated. Crises and adventures, on the other hand, could actually teach you something.

Living down your own past was hard enough. You shouldn't have to live down someone else's.