Ben hesitated in the doorway. He thought he knew what she meant. The specifics would be different, and the reasons behind the feeling would be different, but he'd felt something similar. The moment the realization really sank in, that this was really happening, it felt as though the bottom had fallen out of his stomach. It was like the whole rest of his life was starting in the next few minutes, and he had no idea what it would be like, and he wasn't ready for it.

"Can I hold you?" he asked. He stayed where he was in the doorway, half convinced she would say no and not sure what he was supposed to do if she did.

---