Shrugging with that same smile still at the corners of his mouth, The Shade leaned over and scooped her easily into his arms. Granted, he was more comfortable with touch around their home, but his ease was still hard-won. This was part of what he needed to discover tonight: if he could let go of that fear, accept what her power did and learn to enjoy it.

He had to, especially since his son would have that same ability to stir the memory of life in his cold, dead heart with just one touch.

"Am I bein' arrogant if I'm proud of that?" he asked with a smirk as he carried her into the bathroom, where the massive tub in question sat: a beautiful claw-foot iron tub large enough to accommodate The Shade and at least two other people comfortably.