Fly Free, Little Lovebirds

Steve stared at the people hugging in his office completely dumbstruck. "I can't believe that actually worked."

Claire pulled back a little from the hug even though she couldn't completely because Alex was still holding her off the ground to give him a disbelieving look. "Are you serious? You said you thought it would!"

"I hoped it would. Hoping something will work and believing it actually will are two different things."

She brushed his explanation off without arguing. "Alex, can you put me down? I need to talk to him for a minute."

"You can talk to him like this. I'm not letting go," her friend said stubbornly.

Claire sighed inwardly. They probably looked completely nuts right now. But she supposed she couldn't blame him. He had been through hell and back the past few weeks and needed comfort.

"Okay then. Steve, do you think this is permanent or will he go back to the way he was before over time? I need to be prepared."