"Celine is very ... sensitive to things like this. I don't blame her at all for her love. But I know how much harder this experience would have been without you." Rene continued watching her, like he was waiting for the other shoe to drop. Therese let him wait a little more. Right when he looked ready to open his mouth again, she continued. "AndI want to apologize for how harsh I was last year. Seeing Celine falling for you bothered me. I was sure it was some minor crush since you are a prominent man in her life." "Therese-""And I know you care for her, even if you refuse to clarify how much you care about her." She smirked slightly, then shook her head. "But Celine is as in love with you as she ever was. The time away didn't help, neither did our repeated conversations, or the dates I tried to get her to go on." She watched Rene's eyes widen. Of course Celine hadn't mentioned the dates. Therese knew there wasn't any point. Celine had always returned home well before her curfew with less enthusiasm on her face than she had hoped for. Therese shook her head. "I am a mother first and foremost and I want the best for Celine. I want her to have the world while protecting her from it at the same time. But I know that not even I can control her heart. I can't stop her from loving whoever it is she loves. Do you understand what I'm saying?" Rene swallowed and ran his hand over his head, moping at the sweat there. Even if Therese had to make some concessions, she could rest easier knowing he was still afraid of her. That gave her at least some leverage considering she still didn't love the situation at hand.
