"Yes, that's all correct - and I would ordinarily become part of your family and with obligations to your parents but I think that's also not relevant under these circumstances -"

"No, it's not."

Maybe I'll meet them someday, she'd been planning to say, but something in his expression prevents her from saying it.

Not all of her siblings made Axis. 

"Are there - marriages you have witnessed that struck you as particularly desirable, as doing something especially valuable -"

"I - have seen a number of marriages fall short of that, in one way or another.  I think the ideal would be - one where we have time for each other, or make time for each other, even though we are both very busy people. One where we trust each other, like the trust that people in Heaven and Axis have amongst themselves, but more - thorough, and complete. A complementary marriage, where I provide for you with my strengths and you shore up my weaknesses. A loving one, even in thirty years when our children are grown - if I'm still here, then."

"Well. That sounds very challenging but - less challenging than a number of things I know you to have done already. And very nice, if we could pull it off. Let's try."