[He's not really concerned about any lack of demonstrativeness from Royce. They're men. They're less open about things with each other, for the most part.
But Gwen is another story. He takes her hand and holds on.]
I don't want her growing up and thinking I see Rachel whenever I look at her face.
[Rachel had been just a year younger than Mercy - the only child of his youngest brother. Being so close in age, he'd always hoped they'd make fast friends with each other and grow up well together. And it's true that he can't help but see the dead girl in the living girl sometimes, but he doesn't want her to know it. She deserves to never feel like she's living in the shadow of the dead. She deserves to know that he really does love her for herself, and not just because she reminds him of somebody.]
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But Gwen is another story. He takes her hand and holds on.]
I don't want her growing up and thinking I see Rachel whenever I look at her face.
[Rachel had been just a year younger than Mercy - the only child of his youngest brother. Being so close in age, he'd always hoped they'd make fast friends with each other and grow up well together. And it's true that he can't help but see the dead girl in the living girl sometimes, but he doesn't want her to know it. She deserves to never feel like she's living in the shadow of the dead. She deserves to know that he really does love her for herself, and not just because she reminds him of somebody.]