She nodded again, a twinkle popping up in the corner of her eye. "He said he loves me just the way I am, and that he would never have me change just for the sake of his comfort or self-esteem," Diane said, her voice a little shaky. "You cannot imagine how grateful I am that he thinks this way, Kevin."

"Wow... That's... I mean..."

"I know," she added with a smile. "Like I said, I love your dad very much, now maybe more than ever..."

"So, uh, did you find some other solution in the end?"

"Yes," Diane said, looking at her son with an oddly serene expression. "I believe...