Redhawk Caldera And the two of us went up in smoke

Elwood was waiting on pins and needles for Finley's reaction, and when she suddenly dissolved into laughter, his brows shot up in surprise. She took a moment to calm herself after finding his compliment so ludicrous as to be amusing, then admitted her doubts in a few words. Her request for more praise was met with a gentle smile.

"I said you're a wonderful mother, and I mean it. You love Eljay and you want the best for him -- isn't that what being a mother is all about?" he said quietly. Sure, there were the other required tasks that she had performed over the last nine months -- feeding him, bathing him, teaching him about the world. Despite her breakdown, she had done her best. And Elwood had the feeling that Eljay would have been just as timid and skittish even if she hadn't very nearly abandoned him.

He sighed softly, then added, "I want to keep building our future together. But if it's something you're not ready for, then of course I understand." He would be disappointed if she turned him down, but he was sure that he would find a way to overcome. His needs were not the only ones important in this relationship.