It takes a lot to overwhelm Jim, but he feels it in that moment, staring down at her face, familiar and new at the same time. She's so soft and warm beneath him, and when Jim reaches, it's not to lift her skirt. He pulls out the pin holding what remains of her bun, combing her hair gently out with his fingers.

"You are," he says again, leaning down to kiss her. "You're the most gorgeous thing I've ever seen."