His mind is moving so fast that, in comparison, all the world around him feels like it's in slow motion. He finds himself seated on the sofa, his hand in hers, still clawing his way back up to the surface of this emotional tidal wave.

"I want it," he says emphatically. He doesn't want his current state of shock to give her the wrong idea about that.

"Yes, it makes sense. Forgive me, River. I've... I'd convinced myself it wasn't possible. I told myself that raising my sister's spawn would be the closest I ever came. You may have to do the talking. I barely know where to begin."