When she was being so sweet, and yet so playful at the same time, he found himself wondering just how much he had missed out on, in his time away and in the way their lives had gone since his return. He had grown used to, though he regretted that it had happened, a cooler reception from her over that period of time. He knew she'd had doubts about how much he loved her, and he knew that had a lot to do with it. Because he hadn't known how to tell her, for so long, not knowing what her own reaction to the words might have been. He'd had no choice but to question at times whether her anger extended beyond that. That maybe she no longer loved him.
But then she said and did things like that this, and he couldn't possibly have any more doubt. "Ideas," he agreed with a smile not unlike her own, "because I think people might get bored if I take too long." And what he'd jotted down had barely scratched the surface. His hand reached up, fingers brushing the hair back from her face as her gaze stayed locked on his. "I hope I say it enough that you don't ever doubt it, Marian."