<br/>For a moment Nicci thought Mila wasn't going to really hear her words or the faith and trust behind them.  She really did have faith in her, and her trust wasn't misplaced.  Even as Nicci held her breath, starting to doubt she had done the right thing, Mila opened the door wide and not only let Bo in, she went out to him.  The air rushed out of her lungs in a deep sigh, the emotions of seeing her and Bo kiss both wonderful and a little disconcerting.  She hadn't expected the rush of heat in her own loins, or how much Bo's wonderful words would bring a lump to her throat.<br/><br/>She felt as if a weight had lifted of her shoulders and as Mila mouthed thank you at her she did the same, her eyes trying to convey just how much it meant.  Mari's instinctive hug and praise, they made the lump even bigger.  She almost wriggled with the effort of tamping down her pain and even more the need for Mari........<br/><br/>Bo's hand gave her pause, his sweet care helping her to kick her feelings into touch. They had all taken a wonderful leap forward.  That was what counted, she would have to work at it, earn Mari's approbation and the big sister she yearned for.  She still couldn't meet Mari's eyes though, she just couldn't.  Taking a soft breath she picked up her hot chocolate again, sipping it slowly.  She wondered who Marcus would kiss first.  Mila was closest and Marcus had made a beeline for her, would he kiss her first or save her to last.  She smiled, looking across at Marcus's hands.  Strong safe hands she thought.  He would draw both Mari and Mila out she was sure.