"Exactly! Then, they'd really start to worry, because they'd assume that there's something wrong. It's much easier to pretend a little," she answered with a grin. "And thank you. I'd owl her, but then you'd get all upset." Not that there was any chance that she'd be able to get up.
"We need to find more people that aren't afraid of you. It'd make life so much easier." Of course, the fact that he seemed oblivious to her charm didn't endear Stephen to her, but things would change if he really kept her alive.
"No, love, I'm not confusing anything. You talked to them, then we talked at the house, and you said that you still needed time. Then you talked to James at the farmhouse, and when you came out, I was in the garden and that's when you told me. So regardless of whether you told him the first, second or third time, it's still before me." She probably shouldn't be arguing after saying that it didn't matter, but Alastor's denial pushed her on.
Marlene wasn't sure if she should hug him or hit him as he went on. "Do you know how easy it is for you to make me happy? I just want to be with you, Alastor. You don't have to prove anything. It's not some kind of competition or game. Just us; that's all. It'd be so much easier if you stop thinking so much about all of this, or if you really want to think, do it while I'm sick."