She reached up and touched his face, her palm warm against his cheek. "I love you. Whatever happens with my father, whatever he thinks or says or tries to do...that doesn't change. You know that, right?"
"I know that intellectually." Damien turned his head to kiss her palm. "Emotionally, I'm still working on believing it fully. Especially when faced with a biological father who's been searching for you for twenty-four years and probably has very strong opinions about the man you're with."
"Then let me be very clear." Aria's voice was soft but absolutely certain. "I don't care what his opinions are. I don't care if he approves or disapproves. I don't care if he thinks I should be with someone different, someone Chinese, someone from his world, whatever criteria he might have. I'm with you because I choose to be with you. And no one....not my biological father, not anyone.....gets to tell me that choice is wrong."
