#Esther Maisel

[wonderlandleighleigh]

“getting sleepy, aren't we?”

"No," Esther tells him petulantly, even though her head is resting on his shoulder. She's five, and too smart for her own good, but still just a little girl.

Midge is working, and Lenny is working on his book, watching the kids while Midge and her parents are all out for the evening. He thought he might hate this. Not being out there, working. Living.

But it feels good to just...take care of everybody. Be the dependable one.

"I think you might be," Lenny says gently, rocking her and rubbing her back.

"It doesn't matter if I sleep," Esther tells him. "What if the world blows up while I'm sleeping?"

"I promise," he says gently. "If I notice the world starting to blow up after you fall asleep, I will wake you."

"Pinky swear?" Esther asks, lifting her head and her hand.

He hooks his pinky with hers. "Pinky swear."

She huffs and slumps against him. "I...might be tired."

"Yes, I know," Lenny nods. He settles her down in her bed and helps her get under the covers. "How about this? You go to sleep now, and if the world remains intact overnight, you and I will hit the bakery for breakfast, and be the heroes of everyone's morning."

Esther considers that for a moment before nodding. "Deal."

"Good," he grins, leaning in to kiss her forehead. "Goodnight, darling. Sweet dreams. I'll be in the office if you need me."

"Night, Lenny," the little girl mutters, her eyes drooping.

Lenny grins and gets to his feet, flipping the light off as he leaves.

[a-member-of-minuteswithmandm]

Midge Maisel is a complicated character to me. I don't think I'll forgive her for what she did to Shy Baldwin, and I think her self centeredness is infuriating but I guess I want her to be happy so yayy Season 6 haha. It was no surprise to me that Esther and Ethan didn't enjoy her as a mother

Susie deserved everything and more for how hardworking and loyal she was. Literally no one hustled more than she did! I'm so happy she got her happily ever after

I guess Joel and Midge end up happy? I'm just glad that Mei had an abortion instead of tying herself to his loser ass. Honestly Joel and Midge deserve each other so it's for the best. Gordon Ford was hilarious and clearly Midge wasn't interested in being with him that way, Lenny Bruce has a tragic ending, and Benjamin straight up just deserved better so why not!

As for the side characters - Abe Weissman will forever be my favorite. He is probably the funniest person in the entire show. His interactions with Ethan and Esther this season cracked me all the way up. Plus his growth in recognising how unfair he had been to Midge growing up, brought me to tears! Rose was good to but have less to say about her.

Zelda's husband was my favorite this season's imply for telling Zelda to free herself from the Weisman chains!

Overall it was a great season but I'm still side eyeing all of Midge and Susan's big falling out. You can listen to more of our thoughts on YouTube! Lets us know what you think in the comments

[jojoblessed365]

Midge Maisel Flashforwards

Okay, so I want to be clear here, and I hope this post doesn't incite backlash but I really wanted to get my thoughts out on the flashforwards provided in the first three episodes of Mrs Maisel

Spoilers Ahead!!!

So it did come as a shock to have these flashforwards, but I like it mainly for three reasons: 1) it gives light to Midge's future which is something very realistic as well as shed light on the fact that Midge's decisions have downsides as well; 2) it has This is Us vibes but something that was a little Forrest Gump meets How I Met Your Mother vibe and is set in the beginning of the episode instead of the end or a misleading event to hide a bombshell 3) ASP doesn't plan on returning it so don't expect a AYITL part to Mrs Maisel.

So with that, let's dive into the flashforwards:

First Flashforward- Esther Maisel

So for those who thought Esther was annoying and the fact that Midge Maisel is a terrible mother is unwarranted, you're wrong!!! Esther is definitely unique, given that she's very much a version of Abe and Midge in the earlier season with her mother in terms of how she views her relationship with her mom, but you can't help but be empathetic to her because yes, being a child of an uber-famous parent is not easy. Take for example, Gypsy the musical, or children of famous actors- its something that happens. Given that Esther was a baby when Midge started out her career unlike Ethan, her mommy issues are bigger and more intense. I hope the show extends this further.

Second Flashforward- Midge's 60 Second show

So, I think this is by far the biggest of them all, because it gives some great and not so great updates on Midge's life- her career has skyrocketed, she's got multiple awards, she did an infamous show at Carnegie Hall a decade after Lenny's own show, she toured worldwide (as she would've done at Shy's own tour), with Bob Hope (something Moishe thought she was doing) and made friendships with renowned faces. On the downside- 4 failed marriages and multiple romantic relationships. This... is not exactly normal, but if you look at the romantic lives of these actors/celebrities- Cary Grant, Myrna Loy, Ginger Rogers, Irene Castle, Rita Hayworth, Sonny and Cher, Marlene Dietrich, even comedian Fanny Brice, you'll find that busted romantic lives is a common thread. If you also want fictional examples- A Star is Born, Blue Valentine, Revolutionary Road, Once, The Way We Were and many other similar movies.

With regards to Midge and Suzy's certain rift, it can be considered the opposite of Elvis Presley and Colonel Tom Parker. It's sad (but you kind of see it coming). It's like when bands break up- they'll find success but everyone wants their own identity. The worst enemy is yourself.

Third Flashforward

Ethan Maisel at 24 being a little aimless and having an unconventional professional journey (honoring his Jewish identity by working in Israel at a kibbutz and becoming a rabbi) and actually marrying a woman who is controlled and strong (an Army version of Midge- I like that they named her Chava, it's a callback to Fiddler on the Roof's third youngest daughter) shows his mommy issues which are different from Esther's but still there- it's all pretty in character. The fact that he keeps his engagement from his mother but still respects her nevertheless shows how much of mothering that we've seen from Midge from throughout the show has affected him.

Did you like this analysis???

[slinkpinkiller]

[laufire]

I'm seriously going to need to rewatch The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel soon, because that final season? FUCKING. FANTASTIC.

after so many disappointments when it comes to female characters' arcs this show (that I enjoyed but wouldn't have claimed among my favourites) has truly delivered for Midge and Susie, and Midge&Susie, beyond my expectations.

so, yeah, I'll definitely want to watch it again and see how everything holds up in light of this.

[lilaccatholic]

ASP's streak of faltering at the end of her shows seems to be continuing. Season five of Marvelous Mrs. Maisel is...not great so far

[eddysocs]

Esther Goldbaum x Sophie Lennon Ship Board

Send me 💕 + a ship and I’ll make a moodboard!

Forever Tag: @arrthurpendragon, @baubeautyandthegeek, @foxesandmagic, @carmens-garden, @bossyladies, @getawaycardotmp3, @misshiraethsworld, @kmc1989, @curious-kittens-ocs, @fanficanatic-tw

[frmulcahy]

MRS MAISEL TIME LETS GOOOOOO

[ftmbruce]

seated for maisel season 5 i guess

[wonderlandleighleigh]

Maisel/Weissman’s over engineering how to pull one of the kids loose tooth out and say Lenny or someone being the only one the kid trusts

Hello, Sunshine, January 1964

The tug on his hand gets his attention, and Lenny looks down at his step-daughter curiously.

Esther looks nervous. Her little six-year-old face troubled.

He kneels down in front of her. "What is it, Darling?"

She takes a deep breath. "Lenny, Papa and Uncle Noah and Pop are talking about tying my tooth to a doorknob and then shutting the door and I'm scared."

Lenny frets along with her. "That is cause for concern, isn't it?"

Esther nods aggressively. "And Mama is working tonight on the show, and Softa is out, and Bubbe and Zeyde aren't here."

"Okay," he sooths, rubbing her arms comfortingly, kissing her forehead. "It's all going to be alright. How's the tooth feeling?"

"It's wiggly and it hurts," she pouts softly.

"Okay," he nods. "So here's what you do. I want you to wiggle it really, really hard with your tongue a few times, and then give it a good push, and do not swallow it when it falls out, okay?"

Esther nods firmly, does as she's told, and a few moments later, she spits out the tooth (and a little blood).

"There it is!" Lenny crows, grabbing a tissue from his desk and snagging the tooth from her. "The tooth fairy's gonna see this and be very impressed."

Esther beams at him. "It doesn't hurt anymore! It just feels funny!"

"That's normal," Lenny chuckles. "Let's get you some juice, and we'll show the brain trust in the living room so they can stop plotting your tooth's demise."

Esther smiles wider and hugs him. "Thank you. I was scared of the door slamming and hurting."

He kisses the top of her head and then scoops her up. "To the kitchen!"

[febookworm]

I have this theory regarding The Marvelous Mrs Maisel that I want to share:

In the flashforward we know that both Esther and Ethan have a difficult relationship with Midge and that she and Susie are no longer friends.

And... What if, because of Lenny's death, Midge became a bitter person, focused only on working ("Don't plan. Work hard, keep working), forgetting everything around her?

What if she never mourned for Lenny properly, because technically they never openely said they were friends/more than friends/more than a one time thing and because of all this unresolved situation she was bad and bitter with everyone?

Just my two cents on this

[theresawritesstuff]

Maisel: An 18 year old Esther announces at Yom Kippur that she’s changing her last name to Weissman-Bruce. Chaos ensues.

So, little personal author fun fact... While my situation was different from Esther's growing up, I very likely would have taken my step father's family name had I not gotten married right out of high school. So stepfather/daughter stuff like this is definitely has a place in my heart.

Love the prompt! Enjoy the chaos ❤️

Yom Kippur 1976

"I changed my name."

The table fell silent for quite possibly the first time in family history. Certainly the first she could remember.

"What?" her mother asked finally, swallowing down her bite of food.

"I changed my last name. I'm not Esther Maisel anymore," she repeated.

More stunned silence followed.

"When?" Mama wondered.

"Just before fall registration. I had been thinking about doing it for a while and it seemed like as good a time as any. Save the hassle of changing it later with school records, signing up for classes, eventual diplomas…"

Papa Abe nodded sagely to himself at her logic. "I do not miss the clerical errors of academia. The number of spelling mistakes I caught at Columbia…"

Pop finally got over his shock enough to speak. Unfortunately.

"What do you mean you changed your name? You're a Maisel."

"Not legally anymore," Esther countered into her wine glass. "At least not according to a lot of paperwork I had to file."

"Don't get smart with me, young lady. This is serious," Pop warned.

"Too late," Chiam muttered under his breath, prompting his mother to choke back a barely stifled laugh.

"What'd she say?" Grandpa Moishe adjusted his hearing aid.

"Esther changed her name," Ethan replied casually, returning to his chicken.

He was the only one who wasn't surprised. 

Because he was the only one who already knew.

Grandpa Moishe nodded, satisfied with the answer. "Oh. Good for you, pumpkin."

"I always thought the matching sibling initials was a weird trend," Grandma Shirley chimed.

"So what are we calling you now? Deborah?" Grandpa asked.

Esther groaned. "God no, there's so many Debbies on campus already."

"Are you one of those transexuals, honey? Because we'll still love you no matter what," Grandma Shirley promised.

Ethan nearly spit his drink across the table, earning a pat on the back from Kitty beside him.

"Just as long as you don't go parading around in an ill fitting suit," Grandpa amended.

"Nope. Still Esther Grandma. Not that kind of name change," she replied.

"How do you two know what a transexual is?" Ethan wondered, fighting back a laugh.

Grandma Shirley's eyes lit up at the chance to tell the tale. "We saw that movie! The one with all the singing and the thrusting. It was very sparkly. I think there were aliens at one point?"

"I don't know. I fell asleep around when Meatloaf showed up," Grandpa admitted, unimpressed.

"We thought we were going to see that new boxing movie."

"It was not about boxing."

"The songs were catchy though!"

"Very catchy."

Susie barely concealed her amusement as she looked pointedly across the table at Mama.

"That's so going in your act," she muttered knowingly.

Mama gave her friend a look. It was true, but not the time.

"You can't just change your last name," Pop insisted indignantly.

Her stepfather scoffed. "Why not? I did."

"Stay out of this, Lenny," Pop barked.

"We're in my house," Lenny reminded him.

"And she's my kid," Pop spat back.

Lenny tossed down his napkin and started to stand, the limits of his patience finally reached.

"Oh shit," Uncle Noah breathed, preparing for a scuffle to break out and looking a bit too excited about it.

Mama put a hand on Lenny's arm in an attempt to keep the peace. "Joel–"

"I changed it to Weissman-Bruce," Esther blurted over the mounting chaos, bringing the table to another uncharacteristic standstill.

"What?" Pop looked like he might have an aneurism.

"Really?"

Esther turned at the awe in her stepfather's voice.

"Yes."

Lenny swallowed, his eyes getting misty as Mama squeezed his hand, looking between the two equally touched.

Oh shit. Of all the people she expected to cry during the course of this conversation, her money had not been on Lenny. 

Herself, maybe. 

Grandma Shirley had been the front runner. But Lenny…

"Cool. Welcome to Team Hyphen," her little sister Lilah quipped, looking up from her book.

Esther couldn't help the breathless laugh that escaped her. "Thanks Birdie," she whispered.

"We'll teach you the secret handshake later," Ari offered, earning himself a light smack on the back of the head from Mei.

He gave Esther a wink across the table all the same, the lovable little mensch.

She smiled and gave him a nod in agreement.

It would have been so easy to resent her half sibling, to blame him for the way her relationship with their father had disintegrated over the years, for taking him away from her and Ethan. 

But she was smarter than that. She'd learned pretty quickly that the kids aren't the ones responsible for their parents' choices. 

And frankly she'd take her little brother over Pop just about any day of the week these days.

"You traded my name for his?" Pop growled, gesturing derisively to Lenny.

Mei turned to glare at him. "Joel–"

But Lenny wasn't the only one done with putting up with Joel Maisel for the evening.

"For fucks sake Pop, not everything is about you!" she cried.

"Language, young lady," Grandma Shirley gasped.

She barely registered the rebuke, venting, "It's not like I'm the only one left to carry on the family name for the next generation or some bullshit. You've got two sons. That's their job!"

Ethan looked up mid-bite. "It is?"

"That and dispatching really big bugs," Kitty confirmed in mock sympathy.

"Esther!" Grandma Rose reprimanded.

She rolled her eyes. "Grandma please. I was raised by two of the most foul mouthed entertainers in the country and had Susie as one of my primary babysitters. That is not the worst thing that has been said by a member of this family by a longshot."

"Why am I getting dragged into this?" Susie wondered through a bite of kugel.

Ari looked up. "Wait, what's our job?"

"Procreation and extermination, apparently," Ethan chuckled.

"College first," Mei reminded him in a veiled warning.

"What brought this about?" Mama wondered gently.

Esther exhaled a sigh. "I just…I'm going to be a scientist someday. And Mama, as much as I respect the work you've done to build your career, I can't walk into every classroom, interview, and workplace and hear 'oh hey just like the foxy comedienne who tells all those dick jokes! Say, you kind of look like her too'. I just can't. It's already hard enough getting anyone to take me seriously. I have always been a Weissman anyway. Papa Abe has said so since before I could read. It will make things easier and it just…felt right. So I did it. I didn't know how to tell you before."

"It's okay sweetie," her mother reassured her, taking her hand.

"So why tack Bruce on the end? People know his name too, you know. Why not just leave it at Weissman?" Pop demanded.

Her mother glared at him.

"You wanna know why?" Esther laughed mirthlessly. "Because he's earned it. I've earned it. Lenny has been more of a father to me in the past 14 years than you ever have been."

"What are you talking about? I've been there for you!"

"You've been in Chicago on and off for almost my entire childhood!"

She shook her head, so fed up she wasn't sure if she wanted to laugh or cry.

"And you know what? I get it. You felt like you had to follow Mei when she got her residency because of true love or whatever and yeah Mei is amazing. I get you not wanting to give up on that. And then Ari came along and that made things complicated. I get that part now.  But as a little kid all I knew then was that Daddy left. Again."

To his credit, Pop did look genuinely pained by her reply. "I split my time as best I could..."

"For a while, yeah," she admitted. "But it only took a few years before it felt like you stopped trying. Even when you were here it never felt like you cared. You'd check in with Ethan but sometimes I wondered if you even remembered I was there. And don't say you didn't know how to talk to me because you never even tried. Meanwhile, Lenny…" 

She blinked back tears thinking about all this so openly. "God, even when he was going through hell fighting for his career, dodging obscenity convictions by the skin of his teeth, staying sober when it would have been so much easier to fall off the wagon, he always was there for us when we needed him. He always cared. Always. And he never once stopped trying to do right by our family. He's the one who actually taught me how to ride a bike instead of just saying 'here watch your brother do it'. He's the one who helped me with my debate homework when the thought of public speaking made me want to hurl and let me talk his ear off about music and dumb science fiction novels and what Karen said in home economics and didn't laugh when I had to wear headgear for six months. I had braces by the way. But you wouldn't know that because you ran off to Chicago and left us."

"Esther…"

"I visited. I called. I'm here now. I–"

"So that just makes it all okay? I'm supposed to feel grateful? Honored to share your name because you decided to waltz back to New York now that Ethan's back stateside?"

She shook her head, getting up from the table.

"I'm still your father."

"No. No you're not."

"Esther."

"I need some air."

"Esther!"

"Joel." Mei put a hand on his arm. "Let her go."

It was Susie who eventually broke the silence, reaching for another piece of challah.

"You guys always did know how to throw one hell of a break fast."

The fall air was a welcome reprieve from inside as she collected herself on the fire escape. 

"Room out here for one more?"

She smiled slightly as Lenny came to sit beside her on the cool metal.

They let the sounds of the city fill the silence between them, Esther eventually letting herself slump against his shoulder.

"I didn't mean to tell everyone like that. It just…" 

"It's okay, sweetie," he murmured, wrapping an arm around her.

She nodded, sniffling as she wiped at her face with the back of her hand. "I don't care what he thinks. As far as I'm concerned he lost his fathering privileges a long time ago."

"You're an adult now. You get to decide what your relationship with him looks like."

She nodded again. Somehow it didn't make her feel better.

"What you said back there…"

"I know you haven't always been perfect but at least you've always tried. You did the work. You never stopped trying to be there for us. And you've owned up to your mistakes. I don't think he's ever done that."

She swallowed, looking up at him shyly.

"Is…is it too late to ask if I can call you Dad?"

Lenny smiled softly, hugging her tighter. "You can call me whatever you want. But Dad would be pretty fucking great."

"I've wanted to for a long time," she admitted. "I did once. Not to you, just to myself for a little while. Trying it out in my head back when you and Mama first got married. I slipped up and called you dad when I was talking to him over about… I don't know, some plans we had for the weekend or whatever. He took it about like he did back there on a smaller scale. I still wanted to call you Dad but I was little and wasn't brave enough to stand up to him. I was afraid I'd slip up and set him off. I guess I grew out of that."

"You and your mother sure know how to throw down a tirade when someone pushes you hard enough, I'll give you that," he chuckled. "But I'm proud of you for standing your ground. I mean it."

"He just makes me so mad sometimes. The way he just pretends everything is fine and normal no matter how long it's been."

"Oh I get it." Lenny shook his head. "We've had a tenuous truce over the years for the sake of you kids but…"

He let out a sigh through his nose.

"For what it's worth, I've always considered you and your brother my kids, no matter what you called me. Just as much as Kitty and Lilah."

"I know."

"You gonna be okay?"

Esther nodded. "Yeah."

He leaned over to kiss her hair before getting to his feet. "Love you."

He paused at the window before climbing in.

"I'm not saying you have to forgive him or let him in your life in any capacity you don't want to…But try not to stay too mad at him forever. It's not good for your health."

She heaved a tired sigh, knowing he was right.

"Maybe just a little longer?"

Lenny chuckled. "Okay. You've earned it."

"Hey...Will you let me know when he's gone so I can have some honey cake?"

Lenny nodded. "I'll send someone out with a big slice in a few minutes. That way you don't have to fight Susie for the last bit."

She smiled genuinely at that.

"Thanks Dad."

Lenny nodded, looking a little watery again at hearing her say it. 

Finally.

"No problem kiddo."

[mrsmaiselsource]

THE MARVELOUS MRS. MAISEL:

4x07: Ethan, Esther, Chaim

[writteninfire]

Fandom: The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

Pairing: Midge x Lenny / Midge Maisel x Lenny Bruce

Think comedy is a hard gig? Try being a parent.

Chapter 3:

Lenny smiled, in spite of everything. He was holding onto Midge's fears for her daughter, at the same time not wanting Esther to feel like she needed to be some kind of social butterfly just to get by in the world. Many things told him that was how Midge was taught to think, by virtue of being the female child in the Weissman family.

[theangelwithawand]

Okay. Time for a hot take.

I’m hate, hate, hate all of the “Midge Maisel is a bad mother” thing being pushed by the fandom and the show.

First of all, plenty of people work nights/ travel a lot/ have jobs in entertainment and spend a lot of time away from their kids. This does not necessarily make them bad parents, just busy ones.

Second of all, this kind of hands-off parenting seems to be normal for the time. We see this a lot in the season 2 Catskills episodes, where various adults simply hand off their children. Later that season, Rose even comments that the children would be confused if she ate with them. And yes, she is instilling unhealthy beauty standards in Esther, but she clearly inherited them in turn from Rose.

Third of all, Midge is seen actively parenting her children to the best of her ability (outside of the stupid flash forwards). Yes Ethan in particular seems to have behavioral issues, but Midge seems unsure of how to handle it. Behavioral therapy is difficult to access today, let alone in the late 50s.

Examples:

- One of the first things she mentions when Joel is leaving her is that they have children. She repeatedly mentions that she wants the separation to be stress free for the children. She wants them to see Joel in a safe environment.

- She repeatedly worries about how her children will be affected by her career choices.

- She’s seemingly the one who takes them to all of their doctors appointments.

- She attempts to find help from Imogene and Dr. Spock when she is unsure, but her resources are extremely limited and don’t help her.

- She mentions specifically wanting to bring Ethan to the record store because she knows he would like it.

- She offers to get Ethan piano lessons when he seems interested.

- She is depicted several times reading to her children at night.

- She planned Ethan’s birthday.

- She is rightfully concerned when Joel is planning to leave for a long time for work on the West Coast, and never see the kids.

- When Abe calls her home in a panic in 2x1, her first thought is the children.

- She’s the one encouraging Esther’s first words.

- She’s the one toilet training Esther.

- She’s open to getting Ethan therapy despite the stigma when he can’t sleep. Joel, naturally, is opposed.

Finally, it is pretty explicitly stated that Midge feels insecure about being a mother during her set at the Vanguard. She explicitly asks if she perhaps “chose the wrong profession” but is now stuck in something she’s not good at. She brushes it off as saying, “women are supposed to be mothers”. She was clearly socialized into being a mother, with her own mother ingraining the necessity of “three before thirty”. Imogene also pushes her to have another baby with Benjamin and Astrid comments during a discussion about her infertility that Midge “did everything right”. It’s implied that if Midge had discovered her career path earlier…she may not have even become a mother.

Midge is not perfect (especially in season 4, where even I- a huge Midge apologist- doesn’t like her), but I don’t think it’s fair to say that Midge was a terrible mother and therefore deserves all of her misfortune.

So, there’s my rant about how Midge, like any parent, did her best as a mother while trying to grow personally, and I’m sick of her being demonized for not being perfect.

[theycallme-thejackal]

Pairing: Lenny Bruce & Midge Maisel Rated T Warnings: Season 5 Spoilers

She starts awake with a gasp.

Clutching her chest, she tries to calm her racing heartbeat, but it’s harder than hell when everything felt...

God, it felt so real.

“Midge?”

“I...I had the strangest dream - nightmare, really,” she answers, looking over at him.

Lenny rolls onto his side, his hand sliding comfortingly over her waist. “Want to tell me about it?”

She tells him everything. About Esther’s therapy. Ethan going to Israel and not telling her about his fiancé. About her failed marriages and falling out with Susie. About his rapid descent and...his death.

“It all felt…so real. Down to the fabulous outfits I was wearing. The eighties are going to be great for my wardrobe.”

He chuckles and gazes at her for a long moment. “Well none of that is going to happen - aside from the fabulous wardrobe,” he promises, pressing a soft kiss to her lips. “You’re a great mother. I’ve been clean for two years, so no meltdown at Carnegie Hall is going to be necessary. And Susie is your best friend. She’s going to be your best friend until we’re all dead.”

“And four to six months after?”

“And four to six months after,” he confirms with a nod.

Midge blinks back tears and then holds his face in her hands, kissing him deeply.

When they part, he wipes a little of her face cream off of his cheek and smiles at her. “Now I need to get some sleep. I don’t know if you heard, but tomorrow I’m marrying the most incredible woman on the planet, and if I don’t get my beauty sleep, she might realize just how far out of my league she actually is.”

“Careful with that one. I hear she’s got three more divorces in her future.”

He sighs and props himself up on his elbow. “Sweetheart, if you think I’d ever let you divorce me, you’re out of your fucking mind.”

“That’s what I thought about Joel, too,” she reminds him.

“I’m not Joel,” he murmurs, dipping his head and looking at her a little more intently. “I know how lucky I am.”

“I’m the lucky one,” she whispers. “Really, Lenny, I…” She reaches up and caresses his jaw with her fingertips. “Do you know how much I love you?”

He smiles that wonderful smile she loves so much, and nods. “Almost as much as I love you.”

He kisses her deeply, and that horrible nightmare fades from her mind.