My mind went back one week to the last time we'd sat together in that same place. I looked now at the radiant, happy face of my young friend and reali...sed that she had undergone a complete transformation. It truly is amazing what a little love and pampering can do. Pampering, and being pampered, are two of my favourite hobbies!I noticed that Abby had brought along a floppy shoulder bag which she placed on the table beside her. I leaned forward towards her. "Is that for your toothbrush?" I asked. "Julia, it's no secret how I feel about Ted. I've grown to like Ray an awful lot, too. Even as prickly as she is, I can honestly say I like Janice, too. I think I may be falling in love with Ted. For his sake, I want to see his family 'fixed'. I would never think anything bad about Ray, and I doubt that he would of me. Tell me, who else could do it? So maybe we would have done some things that in-laws don't usually do. Who's hurt by that? Isn't this place like what they say about Vegas? You. There was no telling her to do her homework; she'd have it done. Tiffany was very sober, responsible, and competent for a nine-year-old, and somehow, Mike wondered how they'd come up with raising such a child. Henry was more like you expected for a six-year-old, a typical pain in the butt, but Tiffany could keep him under control when Mike and Kirsten couldn't."What's the homework today?" Mike asked."Multiplying three-digit numbers," Tiffany replied, and then frowned, "It's HARD, Daddy."Mike. "Please, your Highness, although your sympathy is appreciated, I comfortmyself by believing that the baby suffered no misfortune on my account.The truth could mend or break my heart. Some wounds are best notreopened." As you wish, Countess Marlyne, and, by your disclosure, I believe youhave answered my third question as well." Tactfully changing thesubject, the Princess suggested, "let us repair to the settee and resumeour conversation about being with a man. Do fill your goblet and comesit.