She stood by the chair at the window. As he entered she stepped out of her skirt, silent and light, and what he could see of her face was as beautiful and calm as anything he had ever seen. She turned to him, looking as if she were surprised and really pleased with what they were doing. “I do love you, Joe.”

“I know. Don’t take off your slip. I want to do it.”

“Let me do the stockings. I don’t want to get them snagged.”

“Okay.” He got out of his shirt with his eyes away from her. He didn’t want to spoil it for them by seeing her in awkward postures of undressing.

She presented herself, barefoot, in blouse and slip. He was so happy with her it played tricks with his eyes.

“Do you like the way I look?”

“Yes. Very, very much.”

“You’re not lying now, either,” she said. “I can see it.” She hugged him tightly.

“Turn your back,” he said.

“All right.” She giggled.

“We don’t have to see each other wrestling with our clothes,” he said.

In a moment he heard the bed jounce. “Okay,” she said. “I made room for you on the right side. It’s the side you always want in the movies.”

“We’re going to have a long and happy life,” he said.

“Aren’t you going to take off your shorts?”

“Not yet.” He had tried not to look at her until he was ready. She was sitting on her side of the bed, half-turned to him. He had never seen anything so beautiful. He sat beside her, kissed her and caressed her breast.

“Joe, I’m scared.”

“Don’t be. Just relax. Kiss me. Relax. I love you, Karen, you know that.”

“I know. You’re not disappointed, are you?”

“No. You’ll see.”

“You’re gentle. Kiss me. Oh, Joey, I do love you.” She put her arms around him and kissed his chest. She rubbed her face against it. “I knew I’d like this. Thank you.”

“For what?”

“For being the way you are.”

“Hush up. You’re the only one I’ve really wanted for this, do you know that? Everything about you is wonderful. I don’t think it, I know it. You’re all I want.”

“I want a lot of this,” she said.

“We haven’t even started.” He stroked her back. He needed her and she did not know it. If they married and she bore his children, all the gifts of love would still come from her. “Do you know all the things I’m going to do to make you happy?”

“I’m happy now, Joe. I really do love you. I’m just learning how much.”

He held her against him. He had no idea of the time, but it was not late. He ran his hand over her back and she twisted and lay down. He patted her bare bottom. “Karen?”

“Do you still want to marry me?” she asked.