The problem was losing your biological purpose in life. But I wouldn’t dare say that to him. Instead, I said, “I will do it, but not until after we’re married. It’s something a wife does for a husband, not something a fiancée does for her fiancé.”

He thought about it for a moment. “I can live with that.” He turned me around to face the wall. “The last issue is this. If you’re living in one city and I’m living in another, there has to be some time for us without your kids.”

“Kid.” I bit my lip to prevent the tears from coming. I shook my head.

“Baby, I promise you I’ll do whatever I can to get you your son back. Nothing is a sure thing, but I will try. Even so, it’s going to take time.” And money. “But I will try.”

I wanted to ask him how … what he was going to do. But I knew it would make him angry. Instead, I nodded. “Thank you, Chris. I don’t know what I would do without you.”

“You’re welcome.” He paused. “I respect your need to be a good mother, angel. But if this is going to work, you have to respect my needs.”

“What do you want?”

He put down the blow dryer. “Your hair came out beautiful.”

“Can I see?”

“After I’m done with the makeup.” He clipped the side of my hair off my face and studied me intensely. “Hmm …”

“I know. I’m a disaster.”

“No, you just look like a gorgeous woman with two black eyes.” He touched the bloody bags underneath my lower lids. “Let me try something to tighten this first.” He rubbed some cream on me. “We’ll just let that set for a minute.” He checked his watch.

“What time is it?”

“Not even ten. We’re fine.”

We didn’t talk for a moment. Then I said, “What about your needs?”

“Ah, my needs.” He paused. “My hope is that you could come here every weekend. I’d fly you over or, if you’re in Reno, I’d send the car for you. But I realize that you probably don’t want to be away from your kids every weekend.” A pause. “I’m willing to do every other week. You come in Friday night and you can leave Sunday night. That’s six days a month. Surely that’s not too much to ask.”

“Who will take care of the kids when I’m gone?”

“Obviously you’ll need a nanny. You choose, I’ll pay.” When I didn’t say anything, his expression changed. “What?”

“Can you give me a minute to think about what you’re asking?”

“What’s to think about? You should say yes and then we’re done.”