He looked into her eyes, trying to convey his sincerity.

"I really mean it."

He smiled.

"And yes, that was a compliment."

He didn't think he'd ever stop being amazed at the contradictions she embodied - delicate and yet strong, with such a contagious ability to be happy, even after having been through so much, that he wanted to be around her all the time. So very pretty and seemingly completely unaware of it.

Just being in her presence made his worries diminish and his joy grow. It was remarkable, the effect she had on him. When happy, she almost sparkled.