TWENTY TWO

"You heard me.I must marry.Who better than you.Me still wanting you is ideal maybe I'll be able to get you out of my system."

"What happens when you get tired of me.We'll get a divorce and fight for custody."

"I'll try to be fair and reasonable when the time comes."

"I can't.I won't be able to marry a man who sees me as nothing more than his play thing.A toy for him to play with whenever he'll find me interesting.You're a player.You cannot commit.No woman will ever own you fully."

"And I don't want any woman to.I'm my own man."He held her gaze."I still want you.And I want you as my wife."She shook her head in disbelief."Marry me and you get to stay with the triplets.Refuse and I will go ahead and sue you for full custody.Think about it.I'm going away for a while I'll call you as soon as I get back,by then I expect an answer."He came over to her."It's getting late I'm sure my son and daughters are missing their mother."He tenderly stroke her cheek.She stepped away from his touch and ma