[She had been lonely when Laslow went out on tours before. She usually threw herself into her work or hosting elaborate social parties. That was slowed down, though, by her new position. She'd wanted that extra time to dote on her daughter but now with her daughter the only one to focus on...]

[Well, she felt that loneliness a little more sharply.]

We'll make up for whatever we can. You've gotten so big and gallant, Soleil. [Whether the "big" had anything to do with the building pressure in her boxers or not was anyone's guess.]

I feel guilty for missing so much of the time when you were just my sweet little girl... [Another squeeze with a heavy sigh, making that chest heave up and down. The last thing she wanted to be was a failure of a mother. Soleil was a lovely young woman but she wondered how much of that was actually hers. It's possible she just became a lovely woman on her own. If that were the case, what could she do to make sure she was taking care of Soleil properly?]

You'd probably have a right to hate me and I don't want that, darling, I really don't... [She wanted Soleil to love her so badly, just as much as she loved her. It was a different type of love than she had for her husband but just as strong.]