When Anne looked down, it wasn't because she regretted what she'd done. She didn't regret marrying Nicky. She would never regret marrying, Nicky. But the look in her father's eyes made her feel the need to regroup.
"No," she agreed quickly and then he asked why and she looked up at him again. Why hadn't she told her parents beforehand? Because they would have said no? Or even sooner? Because she'd been trying to avoid this kind of showdown? Anne took a deep breath and let it out.
"If I'd have asked, you would have said no and I didn't tell you sooner because-" Because? If she didn't regret it, then why? "Because I wanted to have something that was mine and not something I had to share with everyone else. Something quiet and perfect and that's what it was, Dad." She shook her head slowly as she smiled softly. "It's been quiet. I love him. I always have."