I stood on the veranda, ready to say bye to the kids as they loaded their school bags in Ellis' car. 

They hugged me, and I told them to have a great day ahead and watch out for each other. 

Ellis walked over to me from his car, his gaze roaming over me as he stopped in front of me, "Thank you for this morning..." his voice was soft, " And for everything else," 

I took a step back as we were a little too close, and this proximity was making it hard for me to breathe. I wondered briefly ...