“Will you stand with me, wife? One more hour?” “Meoraq…what if—” He pushed his mouthparts against hers and rubbed them lightly together until she pushed him away, laughing. “Will you stand with me?” he asked again. “I think my lips are bleeding.” “Will you?” “Oh for Christ’s sake, I have to say it?” She sighed, wiped her mouth, then suddenly raised both arms and dropped them loudly to her side. “I’m with you,” she said. “I’m always with you. So…open up that door, Meoraq. Let’s do this.” He smiled, nuzzling her one more time, and put his palm to the lock-plate.
