I froze at that. Felt my mouth part in shock as I took a stumbling step back so I could look at his face. "You... love me?"

Surprise flickered across Joel's face. Maybe he hadn't been aware of what he had been saying, but he nodded. "How could I not?"

"You love Asa?" I checked. "Little bouncy, dino Asa?" Just in case he knew another, slightly less awesome Asa.

"Yes," Joel said softly. "You're kind of amazing, baby boy."

Despite it all, I couldn't help but beam at that. "Can I show you Solar? We dressed him up, Jolly."

"Sure thing, buddy. Just let me finish washing these up first."...