Frederic raised his hands to gently cover hers as she cupped his chin in her hands. "Neither-" His voice broke and he glanced down as he swallowed, then regained his voice, met her gaze again, and went on, just as quietly as she'd spoken, "Neither do I. Karen..." He ran his index finger softly over the back of her right hand as the smallest of smiles grew on his face. "We don't have to be lonely anymore." All the possibilities of this new path came crashing down on Frederic at once- he would help raise her babies (if she'd let him), Clover would finally feel the love of a mother, he'd be able to kiss her goodnight -and he leaned his forehead against hers. "I swear it on my life."