Lorn chuckled as the little one reacted to his silliness.  Then he looked at Karen and saw her expression changed.  He reached for a toy and swayed it in front of the baby as he listened to Karen's words.  His own expression changing remembering the first months... the first year of time after losing Cressida.

After a moment, he spoke.  His voice quiet and understanding.  "Everyone grieves differently.  For me, it was remembering I had Heidi and I have focused so much on this place, the horses, and my gal that I have let most everything that reminded me of our life together slide away.  It was too painful.  I've tried to keep in touch with family, on her side and mine, but not in person since the funeral.  Buying this place and getting out of London was an escape as much as a start over."

He looked at his sleeping daughter and then at the babies, and then to Karen again.  "I am only recently starting get into the community here this last six months.  Making new friends.  But there isn't a day that I don't think of what this would have been like with my late wife beside me."

"Let yourself grief and try and let the smiling memories slip in more and more.  Start making new memories with those around you."  He securely held the baby and reached over to put his hand on her hand.  Then gave a brief squeeze and pulled away realizing that was past proper behavior.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have done that."