The inner door opened, and he was looking down at Tina. Her eyes lit up then she squashed the emotion and looked down. She opened the door, and he stepped inside.

"Good evening, Mr. Shepherd," Tina said quietly.

"Tina..." he began but realized he didn't know what to say. Brutal honesty. "I want you to come home with me. I want you and Christopher to live at my house. I want you in my life. But all of these things are dependent on you agreeing to one very important thing."

She looked up at him in shock. Her mouth worked, but no sound came out.

"I'm amending my previous conditions....