Tylene arrived at Benjamin's manor with the therapist who worked with the Tuigamala's. She also brought a folder containing sketches of concept ideas for her next fashion show.

"You've created a phenomenon," she said to Bob, smiling while clutching her folder.

"I suppose," Bob said, sounding uncertain. "But you have to thank Seas. All I did was try not to panic."

"Yes. Well, I've thanked her several times. We're looking forward to our next show!"

She paused to kindly stare, waiting for Bob to react. When he blinked, she carried on.

"It's going to be a group effort, with other designers on board. We're following the theme you created."

"Bare feet and fake glasses?"

Tylene's smile never faded. "Well, yes I suppose." She pulled sketches from her folder, laying them on a table. "You'll model my clothes, along with Marc. Remember him? And of course, Steph will be your dresser." Her smile brightened. "You're the star, so you get first pick!"

She showed him several sketches. "Honestly, Ty," Bob confessed. "You're asking the wrong guy."

Mahui gave a snort of contempt, standing on her tiptoes to peer over Tylene. "Those are more outlandish than the last get-up you wore," she said to Bob.

Tylene was unfazed. "You've got to strike when the iron's hot!"

"I like this one!" Benjamin said, pawing a sketch with a big hand.

It showed a man wearing giant bloomers the color of a green pasture. They were paired with a high-collar shirt, blocked in lilac and white and red. It buttoned up asymetrically, resembling a woman's shift; tight-fitting yet with outlandish sleeves, loose like a kimono.

"I think we'll make the hem of the shirt asymetrical too," Tylene said of the sketch. "It will be silk, like the waistband of the pants, so they'll be a good match."

Bob rolled his eyes as Tylene carried on, with Benjamin offering comments. The cheesy grin Mahui wore indicated she shared Bob's view of high fashion. Makani stepped in before either of them said something they might regret.

"This is Magdoeline," he said to Bob of the therapist. "She works with Mahui and me."

"Please call me Maggie," she said, shaking Bob's hand.

"If you want, she can work with you," Makani said.

Tylene stepped away from Benjamin and her sketches, tapping her bitwatch for a moment. "I sent word to Bab," she said of the therapist with Cecilia. "She's with your wife, having coffee. Seas says she can link for an hour before boarding her flight."

Bob grew excited. "Please have a seat," Maggie said, guiding him to a sofa in an adjoining room. She sat in a nearby chair. "Close your eyes and focus on breathing while I open the link."

In a few seconds, Bob felt the presence of his wife, like dafodils caressing his skin.

Hi Bob!

Hi Seas! Oh! I have missed having you inside me!

Bob opened his eyes. "Thank you," he said to Maggie. "If I may, we want to be alone for a while."

Say 'Hi' to Bab too! Cecilia instructed. Through her eyes, Bob saw his wife's newest friend seated across from her in a booth. She idly tapped at her bitwatch, giving the couple a semblence of privacy.

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Cecilia took a sip of her coffee. Ooh! Bob thought into her, making her wrinkle her nose. You like too much sugar.

She made her husband wince, chastising him with love. And you like that sassy Māori.

Bob opened his heart and soul, pouring forth love for his wife. He let her experience the loneliness he felt when she worked overseas flights far away, and how being at Benjamin's party without her had caused him to freak out. How jealous he was, a small bit, knowing she was having fun, jetsetting in Europe with Bab.

He thought into her about Mahui. She's the only person I've ever met at these parties who feels the way I do. Sad and scared and awkward, without her mate at her side.

She's mean, Cecilia pointed out, expressing scorn.

I think she's kind of funny.

He stood at a spot in the doorway to the room where Mahui could be seen, leering at Tylene's sketches while Benjamin fawned over them.

She has no appreciation of art.

She doesn't understand high fashion.

Like you, Cecilia realized.

Grinning, Makani whispered into Mahui's ear. She opened her mouth and stuck out her tongue, making her husband laugh. Although Bob/Seas couldn't hear what was said, Tylene and Benjamin turned toward Makani, making Mahui puff up with pride.

Look how much she loves him. How happy she is at his side.

Like how you are with me.

I'd die without you, my Seas. You're the only person I've ever loved. I don't know what I would do.

Cecilia could do nothing but honor her husband, showing him the respect she held. His love for her was keen. It flowed towards her like a river, effortless and everlasting. She saw the joy he felt having made a friend who thinks and feels the same as he.

A new friend. I haven't had one in ages.

Cecilia knew she made friends all the time. A friend who is not one of mine.

Don't be mad. Understand. She and I think alike. I'm a new friend for her who isn't one of her husband's.

Not yet anyway. I see you guys hitting it off.

Cecilia let Bob experience the depth of her passion. How precious she cherished his honesty. How heartfelt her feelings were toward his loyalty. She held for him the kind of love a person has, knowing they'll not be bereft.

You're a good man. I am lucky.

I'm proud. Humbled in your presence.

Makani caught Bob staring, and gave a sly wink.

He'll be a good friend too.

You think? Gosh, I hope. It would be so much fun!

Bob/Seas strode into the room. "Well!" Tylene remarked. "Somebody's got their moxie!"

He/she struck a pose, examining the sketches on the table while pushing them around.

"What do you think?" Tylene asked.

"I want to wear this," he/she said, picking up a sketch to hold at arm's length, assessing how he/she would look.

It showed a man wearing cut-away cullotes, with strips of fabric sticking out stiff and veined, like the leaves of a pitcher plant. His legs were visible underneath, and where the pants ended near his calf, pirate boots with enormous cuffs made the fabric stick out all the further.

"Oh yes!" Tylene agreed. She snatched the sketch away. "This will be the piece you'll wear in the grand parade. Of course we'll have to ditch the boots, as everyone will be barefoot. And you'll have to wear nude hose, or shave your legs and apply make-up."

Bob and Cecilia had an internal debate, as she wanted him to shave. "We'll wear hose," they said instead. "Make sure the tone matches my skin."

Tylene grew excited. "We'll keep the boot cuffs and end the hose there, so you can be barefoot. And of course, you'll carry a pair of Ché's shoes slung over your shoulder."

"Or loeferls!" Bob/Seas enthused. "I could match them with an alpine hat!"

"Or a bycocket!" Benjamin offered. "You know! Like Robin Hood! That sounds fun!"

"You're really into this barefoot thing," Mahui remarked to no one in particular.

Cecilia had Bob eye her up, turning his head while choosing between a few snide remarks to say.

Bob forced his wife to say nothing. He smiled wisely instead.

"God, you're gorgeous," Mahui blurted, letting out a cute hiss.

Makani and Benjamin reared back in surprise, while Tylene burst out and laughed. "I know!" she said, agreeing. "It's something, isn't it?" To the shocked silence that held the room, she offered a more subtle comment. "I mean, yes. Bob is handsome. That is true." She shook her head slowly in wonder. "But there's something about when Seas is in him that makes him simply amazing."

Cecilia accepted the praise. "I'm sure you're pretty when he's in you too," she had Bob say to Mahui in an off-hand way, shifting his eyes between the two Samoans.

Makani egged Bob/Seas on. "Oh ho!" he said. "Do you think? And what about when she's not wearing shoes?"

Benjamin clasped his hands together, making noise to ease the tension. "Hey, ah... Seas," he said to Bob's face. "Come on. I want to show you the thing."

Makani also spoke up. "Yeah. You guys go ahead. Mahui and I want time to ourselves, to have a session with Maggie."

Tylene gathered up her sketches. "I'll be going," she said, giving Bob a peck on the cheek. She spoke into his eyes to his wife. "I can't wait until you get back."

Bob/Seas gave Tylene a hug. "I can't wait to see you too. It's so much fun modelling for you!"

I'm glad you're enjoying this, Bob thought into his wife.

I wish you were too.

I am. I feel it through you.