"Vecchio-Talos?" Ray tried, swinging Daniel around to his front just by holding onto one leg. Up-righting the boy after the childish wail of excitement, he steadfastly ignored any requests to do it again.

"If you won't accept my gracious offer of taking your hand in marriage, answer me this. Is it marriage in general that makes you wanna hurl or marriage to me?" It wasn't asked with any depth in his voice; it was more light-hearted than anything.