Knowing the neighborhood's feeling more at ease, and feeling more at ease in it, has been a slowly emerging surprise for her. There was no sudden 'eureka' moment for her; she didn't wake up one day and realize she felt comfortable in this new home away from home (away from home). It's been like letting out a breath she didn't know she was holding.

She'd been thinking in more cake-like directions. These aren't ideas she's interested in combining. But they could try to do both.

Yes, he'll just have to deal with being his own wonderful self. And having her adore him for it. Such a burden, but such is life. "Yes, it does. I know it's going to really cramp your lonely bachelor style, but you should never have taken me in if you didn't intend to keep me."

Verity leans back and stretches her legs out over his lap. He can have fun with that. "No? I'm not sure I want to know if they've got another, even less valid, excuse for that sort of thing."