Verity was caught in her cycle of self-doubt still. She hardly saw the nursery she was too caught up in her depression. She could only think of her failure the first time, how she couldn't carry full term and again with Astin. This time she'd nearly cost him his life. Without thinking she rubbed at her nose a bit, and swallowed hoping to aliviate the tension in her throat.
Suddenly Monty was touching her and she looked back at him with wide child-like eyes both apologetic and scared. In some ways she expected him to punish her for her sins again. But he kissed her instead and she moaned against his lips, closing her eyes as a single tear trailed down her cheek. Her arms wrapped around him and she kissed him back with the pain and desperation locked within her.