"Poor baby," smiling she went to ruffle his hair. "I'll do what I can, you know that. People like the image of golden Alexander though." She chuckled then, "that's pretty much me every day of the week. Especially once school starts again."
"Can I ask a favor?" She tilted her head and went to take his hand. "And if you decline I won't love you any less, I want you to know that. It's a serious thing I want to ask."