Gabriel's Inferno Quotes

Kindness is never wasted.

Why not think that sometimes—just sometimes—you can overcome evil with silence? And let people hear their hatefulness in their own ears, without distraction. Maybe goodness is enough to expose evil for what it really is, sometimes.

Sometimes goodness doesn't tell everything it knows. Sometimes goodness waits for the appropriate time and does the best it can with what it has.

Look at me. Look into my eyes." His eyes fixed on hers as they fluttered open. "I'll give you anything. My body, my soul, Take them. Take everything.

I’ve always had a terrible weakness for beautiful but sad things.

Love is doing a kindness for someone else, not expecting to receive anything in return.

If I have a soul, it's yours.

I want you forever, not just for tonight.

She is not my equal; she is my better. She is my sticky little leaf.

All believers are hypocrites because none of us live up to our beliefs.

You blossom under kindness, don't you? Like a rose.

I’m going to be thrown out of Paradise tomorrow, Beatrice. Our only hope is that you find me afterward. Look for me in Hell.

How long did you want me to stay?” “Forever.

For the rest of my life, I'll dream of hearing your voice breathe my name.

I found my hope when I found you.

When I told you that I was intending to worship you with my body, I meant it. With all my heart. I will never take from you. I will only give. In my bed and outside of it.

Everyone wants to know where evil comes from and why the world is riddled with it. Why doesn't anyone ask where goodness comes from?

You, of all people, deserve a happy ending. Despite everything that happened to you, you aren't bitter. You aren't cold. You've just retreated a little and been shy, and that's okay. If I were a fairy godmother, I would give you your heart's desire in an istant. And I would wipe away your tears and tell you not to cry. -Rachel to Julia

Being without you, Julianne, is like enduring an endless night without stars.

Truth sets one free, but love casts out fear.

Don't wait too long. Life takes unexpected turns, and we don't always have the time we think we have.

I want to be your first and your last. I love you, Julianne. I offer you my heart and my life.

You can’t do it, can you? Your skin remembers me, and so does your heart. You told them to forget, but they can’t. Remember me, Beatrice. Remember your first.

I wandered in the darkness looking for something better, something real. I found you, and I'll be damned if I'm going to lose you.

We need to see with our hearts and not our eyes.

When a man kneels before a woman, it’s a gesture of chivalry. When a woman kneels before a man, it’s unseemly.

Sometimes people, when left alone, can hear their own hatefulness for themselves. Sometimes goodness is enough to expose evil for what it really is.

I'm sorry you don't want to know me anymore. I will spend the rest of my life regretting the fact that I wasted my second chance to know you. And I will always be conscious of your absence."- Gabriel to Julia.

For if you truly believe that kindness is never wasted, you have to hold tightly to that belief even when the kindness is thrown back in your face

Facilis descensus Averni," he whispered, his ominous and preternatural words striking her very soul. "The descent to Hell is easy.

Bad things happen to everyone. Not that this was an excuse or a justification for wronging another human being. Still, all humans had this shared experience — that of suffering. No human being left this world without shedding a tear, or feeling pain, or wading into the sea of sorrow.

And the Angelfucker makes his move.

After all we've shared, I just want to hold you and be close. Rest in my arms and know that I love you.

I love you far too much, I'm sure. But I don't know how to love you any other way.

You are my sticky little leaf. My beautiful, sad, sticky little leaf, and I want to see you happy and whole.

That was before I decided to bring an angel to my bed.

When I am an old man and I can remember nothing else, I will remember this moment. The first time my eyes beheld an angel in the flesh. “I will remember your body and your eyes, your beautiful face and breasts, your curves and this.” He traced his hand around her navel before dragging it lightly to the top of her lower curls. “I will remember your scent and your touch and how it felt to love you. But most of all, I will remember how it felt to gaze at true beauty, both inside and out. For you are fair, my beloved, in soul and in body, generous of spirit and generous of heart. And I will never see anything this side of heaven more beautiful tham you

I would have done whatever it took to save you.' His voice and his expression were grave. 'Even if that meant I had to spend eternity in Hell.

You could have any woman you want, Gabriel.” He furrowed his eyebrows. “I only want you.

So drop the Mr. Rochester-Mr. Darcy-Heathcliff British stuck-uppity and treat her like the treasure she is

Never Leave." His voice dropped, and he turned to face her. "I'm more worried about losing you." He leaned over and kissed her forehead. "Then you have nothing to worry about

Grace isn't something we deserve, Gabriel," Julia said softly. "It comes from love. And God wraps the world in second chances and sticky little leaves and mercy, even though some people don't want them.

Addictive personalities can latch on to anything: drugs, alcohol, sex, people…what if you become addicted to me?” “I am already addicted to you, Beatrice. Only you’re far more dangerous than cocaine.

Look at me and tell me it meant nothing to you, and I will let you go.

When everyone in the whole world believes one thing and you are the only one who believes differently, it's very tempting to assimilate

Your love makes me beautiful.” “Then let me love you forever.

Scars might heal and we might forget about them in time, but they're permanent. Not even Jesus lost his scars.

When you love something, you don't see its flaws.

Look at me. I want to see your eyes when you come.

My Dear Julianne, If you wish to know how I feel about you, just ask me. Yours, Gabriel

You are my water. Making love with you is all I need to quench my thirst. Why would I throw this away for water from the ocean?

Falling asleep in your arms again reminded me that I was only half a person in your absence. You make me whole.

Never be ashamed to accept a gift when there are no strings attached.

Ever had a beer before?" Gabriel grinned. She shook her head. "Then I'm glad I'm your first." "Have you ever held a boy's hand before?" She shook her head, and he laughed softly. "Then I'm glad I'm your first." "Have you ever been kissed by a boy?" She blushed deeply and shook her head. "Then I'm glad I'm your first." "Have you ever fallen asleep in the arms of a boy before, Beatrice?" She shook her head. "Then I'm glad I'm your first." "I haven't really danced like this before," she said wistfully. "Then I'm glad I'm your first." "Has a man ever asked you to marry him before?" She shook her head, covering her mouth with her hand. "Then I'm glad I'm your first.

Everything is up to you. You can rescue me or banish me with a single word.

Your the closest thing to an angel I'll ever touch.

Sin isn't something that is attracted to a human being, Professor. It's the other way around.

For you, my love, I would endeavor to pluck the stars from the sky, only to shower them at your feet.” “How do you do that?’ “Do what?” “Say things like that. That’s beautiful.” “I’ve spent years studying poetry, Mrs. Emerson. It’s in my DNA.

If you still believe, you must have hope. You must believe that happiness is possible for you too.

Who’s the Angelfucker now?

He's 33 for God's sake - being a player isn't cute anymore.

A lion in charge of wolves, she thought. How convenient.

You are not a devil, you're an angel. My angel.

I will remember your scent and your touch and how it felt to love you. But most of all, I will remember how it felt to gaze at true beauty, both inside and out. For you are fair, my beloved, in soul and in body, generous of spirit and generous of heart. And I will never see anything this side of heaven more beautiful than you.

I breathe you,” he whispered. “You’re everything. You’re the air.” -Gabriel

I could spend the rest of my life inside you and die happy. You're my home." - Gabriel's Redemption

Liar. Liar. Beautiful blue eyes on fire.

I know you loved me. I just don't understand why you didn't love me enough to stay.

She comforted him in his darkness and gave him hope. She seemed to cherish a sincere affection for him, despite his failings. 'She saved me'.

Gabriel kissed Julia as if he knew her, as if she belonged to him. His kiss was passionate and full of emotion, as if every fiber of his being had melted and spread itself on his lips only to be given to her.

Tell me you want me or get out

My Dearest Julianne, Thank you for your immeasurable gift. The only thing I have of value is my heart. It’s yours, Gabriel.

All the money in the world cannot pay for a life.

The brown-eyes angel was weeping over the demon. The angel wept because she was grieved at the mere thought of someone hurting him

Then you haven't lost your soul. Only a creature with a soul can tell the difference between right and wrong. Yes, you've made mistakes, but you feel guilt. You feel remorse. And if you still have your soul, you haven't lost your chance at redemption.

Julianne Mitchell, I love you too.

You assume that my previous sexual encounters were completely fulfilling, but you’re wrong. You gave me what I’ve never had—love and sex together. You’re the only one who has ever been my lover in the true sense.

Please let me love you." "As if I could even contemplate living without you.

Then I’m glad I’m your first.” She tightened her grip on his hand. “You’re my last, Gabriel. My only.

If I am the darkness then you are the stars." -Gabriel

No relationship is absolutely reciprocal. Sometimes, when couples try to split everything in half, they discover that the relationship is not a partnership but a bean counting exercise. Striving for reciprocity in a relationship can be unhealthy.

Hands off the Precious, Gollum.

When I am an old man and I can remember nothing else, I will remember this moment. The first time my eyes beheld an angel in the flesh.

She was his as surely as if he'd branded his name on her skin.

Teach me, Beatrice. I'll enroll in your university as your student. Teach me how to care for you.

She was sweetness and light, gentleness and goodness, and the burning and searing goal of all his earthly hunts and fascinations.

Of all the gifts God gave me, he thought, the greatest one is you.

I want to make love to you because I care about you. I want to worship your naked body with my own and learn all of your secrets. I want to please you, not for minutes, but for hours and even days. I want to see you arch your back in ecstasy and look into your eyes when I make you come.

Miss Mitchell had a lovely voice, it was true, but Miss Mitchell speaking Italian was something celestial. Her ruby mouth opening and closing, the delicate way she almost sang the words, her tongue peeking out to wet her lips from time to time...Professor Emerson had to remind himself to close his mouth after it had dropped open.

At first he didn’t recognize her. She was breathtakingly beautiful, her movements sure and graceful. Yet there was something about her face and figure that reminded him of the girl he’d fallen in love with long ago. They’d gone their separate ways, and he had always mourned her, his angel, his muse, his beloved Beatrice. Without her, his life had been lonely and small. Now his blessedness appeared.

The obvious choices in life aren’t always the correct ones.

Hello, Spring Roll. I'm your daddy and I've been waiting to meet you for a long time. I love you so much.

I care for you-you're precious to me. And one of the most precious things to me is your voice. Please tell me what you want, what you need, what you desire...

No more weeping. I've seen enough tears from you to last a lifetime. And I'm not worth a single one.

Having seen you naked, I should demand that the only thing you wear in my presence from now on are these earrings. Anything else is superfluous.

She would give him everything. She would do anything to take away his pain, including offering up herself.

And any man who would leave you because you were sexually inexperienced is not worth missing.

Your best quality is your heart. It's your heart I fell in love with." -Julia

In a perfect world, there would always be communication and consultation between partners. But we don’t live in that world. There are emergencies and dangerous, vindictive people.

You strip me bare. You see through everything. You are the only one who has ever known everything and still wanted me. Only you, my beloved." -- Gabriel Emerson

I’d like to be your friend,” Gabriel said, gazing down at her. “And I’m going to keep my little friend very close to make sure she doesn’t run away again.

Why do you do that?” he whispered, after a few minutes. “Do what?” “Provoke me.” “I don’t…I…I’m not provoking you. I’m stating a fact.” “Nevertheless, it is extremely provocative. Every time I try to have a conversation with you like a normal person, you provoke me.

She had never dared to hope for such a first kiss. Somehow, as the pressure of his lips lessened, she felt like bursting into tears, knowing that she'd never be kissed like that again.

I’d never love you in spite of anything, Gabriel. I just love you.

Dark blue, heavy with emotion, gazed up unblinkingly into wide chestnut. Every movement, every yearning was reflected between the couple's eyes.

If for some reason we get separated, I want you to wait for me. I’ll find you, I promise. - Gabriel Emerson

I have become a great many things since you made me your lover.

neither of us has a monoply on delusions.Our only hope is to take time to discover who we really are and decide if that's a reality we both can live with.

The Kingdom of Heaven is like a family,' thought Julia, as she watched Rachel and Scott hug their father. 'Where love and forgiveness replace tears and suffering

The Angelfucker strikes again.

You can’t eliminate your past but you don’t have to be controlled by it.

She’d made her choice when he asked for her hand and she’d offered it without question. Once he touched her, she knew she was his. Afterward, he had always been there in the shadows, like a ghost who would not leave. And now the ghost had decided that he wanted her.

You are an argument for God's existence.

I want to be your first and your last.I love you, Julianne. I offer you my heart and my life.

Gabriel caught her hand in his and pressed his open mouth to her palm. “Julianne, you were never just my student. You’re my soul mate. My bashert.

I don't believe in fairy tales," she breathed. "I'd like to make you believe." He leaned over and kissed her forehead.

I'm Beatrice. You were my first kiss, I fell asleep in your arms in your precious orchard." -Julia

Many people fail to see how modesty and sweetness of temper compound erotic appeal.

You know, the act of feeding someone is the ultimate act of care and affection...sharing yourself with someone else through food." He held another mouthful of cake under her nose. "Think about it. We are fed in the Eucharist, by our mothers when we are infants, by our parents as children, by friends at dinner parties, by a lover when we feast on one another's bodies...and on occasion, on another's souls.

It’s Professor Emerson, and I went to Harvard. Where did you go, an anti–oral sex college?” “Darling.” Julia placed a restraining hand on his arm. “Dr. Rubio is trying to help us and the baby. We want to be healthy.” “Cunnilingus is healthy,” he huffed. “I can prove it.

Why would I go look at other women when the most beautiful woman in the world shares my bed every night?” he protested, kissing her lightly. - Gabriel Emerson

For no man would have touched her like that before. Eventually, she would be eager and responsive to him. Oh, so responsive. They would kiss, and it would be electric — intense — explosive. Their tongues would tangle and tango together desperately, as if they had never kissed before.

Cualquier persona que haya estado enamorada conoce la diferencia entre el eros y la lujuria. No hay comparación. La segunda es una sombra del primero, una sombra vacía y frustrante.

I didn't know it was possible to love someone other than you so much.

and for your words… If I have a soul, it’s yours...

Apparuit iam beatitudo vestra' That is, "Now your blessedness appears.

She wanted more. More of him. More of this and them...she wanted to see him come apart above her and know that they had done this together. She wanted to find their own beautiful rhythm. The music swirled and rose about them, a tempting pace she was eager to match. She smiled, and he felt her smile travel all the way to his heart, allaying his worries. Without breaking eye contact, he began to move in and out maddeningly slowly.

The blue sky blushed to see such passionate lovemaking, while the Florentine sun smiled down, warming the lovers despite the gentle breeze.

Then I'm glad I'm your first.

Open your eyes.” Julia looked up into a pair of blue orbs that were startlingly clear and very emotional, but she could not decipher the emotions. He smiled and pressed his lips to her forehead again before rolling onto his back and gazing up at the stars. “What are you thinking?” She shifted herself so that she was curled up at his side, close to but not touching him with her body. “I was thinking about how I waited for you. I waited and waited, and you never came.” He smiled at her sadly. “I’m sorry, Gabriel.” “You’re here now. Apparuit iam beatitudo vestra.” “I don’t know what that means.” She sounded shy. “It means now your blessedness appears. But really, it should be now my blessedness appears. Now that you’re here.” He pulled her closer, snaking his arm beneath her neck and down to her waist where he splayed his hand, fingers wide, at the small of her back. “For the rest of my life, I’ll dream of hearing your voice breathe my name.

(Desk sex can be very, very good, but it’s important to remove the staplers first.)

Don't you think she's had her quota of assholes?

I think if you car enough about someone to have sex with them, then you should care enough to respect them and not treat them as an object. You should be responsible and careful and never, ever hurt them. Even if they're fucked up enough to beg you to.

He brushed his thumb against her naked flesh and gently transferred his attention to her swollen lower lip. "I did this to you. Does it hurt ?" he whispered. "It only aches in your absence.

Of course. Couples argue. Husbands are asses. We have hot, sweaty makeup sex and move on.

I’d never argue with a naked woman.

Te respiro —susurró—. Eres mi aire. Lo eres todo

He was like a lion, eager to feed but still stalking his prey. He didn't want to scare her off. But she was helpless in her own desire for him.

For you, my love, I would endeavor to pluck the stars from the sky, only to shower them at your feet.

Your father is proud of us for having a baby.” Gabriel nodded, as he continued brushing. “That means he’s proud of us for having sex and you for impregnating me. Do you think they make T-shirts for grandfathers that express those sentiments?

It isn't God who's evil-it's us.......Everyone wants to know where evil comes from and why the world is riddle with it. Why doesn't anyone ask where goodness comes from? Human beings have a tremendous capacity for cruelty. Why is there any goodness at all? Why are people like Grace and Richard so kind? Because there's a God, and he hasn't allowed the earth to be entirely corrupted. There are sticky like leaves, if you look for them. And when you recognize them, you can feel his presence.

This was part of the divine comedy-God's sense of humor undergirding the inner workings of the universe. Sinners participated in the redemption of other sinners; faith, hope and charity triumphed over disbelief, despair, and hatred, while the One who called all creatures to Himself watched and smiled.

A man has to do what a man has to do. But he should bring his wife with him.

She was bone of his bone and flesh of his flesh. She was his soul mate and his wife, and all he wanted was to bring her joy. He was consumed by his adoration of her.

I don't think you comprehend the depth of my feeling for you. It goes beyond wanting to be near you, or protect you. I want you to be happy, and I want you to be treated with respect.

Thank you for making everything beautiful just by being." -Gabriel

He breathed against her ear, making her quiver. “If we were lovers, I would kiss you like this to signal my intention to take you to bed. And you can only imagine the delights that await you there. But at this moment, I can only declare that I burn for you. I won’t let myself touch your lips for fear that I wouldn’t be able to stop.

I will never be worthy of her. But I spend every day trying my damnedest.

I Simply think of you. You are everything.

Don’t you think you deserve to be the center of someone’s universe? Instead of chasing after someone who wants someone else?

If he thought this disgusting display of food porn was going to get her attention and maybe make her a little hot and bothered until she was putty in his hands . . . he was right.

She felt him through the fabric of her dress, hearing the silk taffeta rustle like a breathless woman. The dress clearly wanted more.

But he was not her Gabriel. Her Gabriel was dead. Gone. Leaving behind only vestiges of him in the body of a harsh and tortured clone. Gabriel had almost broken Julia’s heart once. She was determined she would not let him break her heart for the second time.

You are my sticky little leaf. My beautiful, sad, sticky little leaf, and I want to see you happy and whole. I'm sorry for every tear I've made you shed. I hope that someday you'll be able to forgive me." -Gabriel

Every night when I fall asleep with her in my arms, I thank God she’s mine. Every morning when I wake up, my first thought is that I’m grateful she married me. I will never be worthy of her. But I spend every day trying my damnedest. You were her friend when she needed one. But listen to me when I tell you, Paul, you do not want to push me.

Let me feed you,” he whispered, his tone suddenly husky. He sounded like sex. Or at least, what Julia imagined sex would sound like if it was sitting on a white banquette with shining blue eyes and an arrogant jaw, trying to press a cold glass up to her mouth. Oh my, Gabriel. Oh my, Gabriel. Oh my, Gabriel. Oh…my…Gabriel.

Instead of standing around and watching Christa's ugliness, we need to fight her with something stronger, like charity.

Gabriel gazed at his reflection in the mirror. To his shock and dismay, he was clad only in his underwear, a cheeky pair of boxer shorts that had the phrase 'Medievalists Do It in the Dark (Ages)' printed all over them in phosphorescent lettering.

These hands are yours. You can use them for good, or for evil. And no amount of nature, biology, or DNA determines those decisions for you.

Life is risk. I could get cancer. Or get hit by a car. You could wrap me in bubble wrap and keep me indoors and I could still get sick. I know that I could lose you too. And as much as I don’t want to say it, someday you’re going to die.” Her voice broke on the last word. “But I choose to love you now and I choose to build a life with you knowing I could lose you. I’m asking you to make that same choice. I’m asking you to take the risk, with me.

I like your…outfit.” His eyes took in the naked flesh that was visible below the edge of the shirttail. “I like your outfit too. You’re looking awfully casual this morning, Professor.” He leaned forward and gave her a heated look. “Miss Mitchell, you’re lucky I decided to put on any clothes at all.” He chuckled at her fierce blush and disappeared into the kitchen. Oh, gods of all virgins who are planning to have sex with their sex-god (no blasphemy intended) boyfriends, please don’t let me spontaneously combust when he finally takes me to bed. I really need a Gabriel-induced orgasm, especially after last night. Please. Please. Pretty please…

Are you alright ?" "You're still here." "I won't leave you again without saying good-bye. Can't you sleep ?" "I thought this was a dream.

Love hath so long possess'd me for his own And made his lordship so familiar That he, who at first irk'd me, is now grown Unto my heart as its best secrets are. And thus, when he in such sore wise doth mar My life that all its strength seems gone from it. Mine inmost being then feels thoroughly quit Of anguish, and all evil keeps afar. Love also gathers to such power in me That my sighs speak, each one a grievous thing. Always soliciting My Gabriel's salutation piteously. Whenever he beholds me, it is so, Who is more sweet than any words can show.

Gabriel noticed with satisfaction the way Julia intentionally fingered one of her diamond earrings, as if she understood his revelations and received them gladly. As if she knew he was revealing his love for her through art. His heart swelled.

My dad is here," She hissed, hoping to give Gabriel enough of a head start so he could make it to the elevators before Tom took out one of his hunting rifles and shot him. "I know, I called him." She turned to Gabriel in wide-eyed disbelief. "Why would you do that? He wants to kill you." The Professor pulled himself up to his full height. "I want to marry you. That means that I need to make amends with your father. I want to be able to be in the same room without him attempting to shoot me. Or castrate me.

Because we're soul mates, just like Aristophanes described- one soul in two bodies. You're my missing half. You're my bashert.

La verdad nos hace libres, pero el amor vence al miedo

We can't change out pasts. All we can change is the future.

You could have had me in the orchard. I would have let you." -Julia

In addition to being an ass and a pompous prick, he was a knuckle-dragging, potentially mouth-breathing Neanderthal who felt some proprietary ownership over a younger woman he barely knew and who hated him.

A double shot of Laphroaig twenty-five-year-old, neat, please. And ask the bartender for a small shot glass of spring water, non-sparkling,” Gabriel instructed without making eye contact with the waitress. The waitress left, and Rachel began to laugh. “Big brother, only you could make ordering a drink sound pretentious.” -Rachel to Gabriel

This is the culmination of all my hopes, Gabriel. Julia reached out to him and he strained to catch her pinky finger with his own. This is my happy ending.

He has a heart, somewhere, underneath everything else. I know, I saw it once.

Your love makes me beautiful." "Then let me love you forever.

That's my Heaven. And my Hell.

Gabriel's prayers of thanks were spontaneous and heartfelt. Here, in this room, he had an embarrassment of riches-a pretty, intelligent wife, who had a very large and giving heart, and a beautiful daughter.

Gabriel was a consuming fire. His passion, his desires, all seemed to overtake the desires of those around him.

There's no one here but us. And what I see is Breathtaking

Don't tell me that our situation didn't damage us, possibly irreparably.

You toyed with her heart. I know what that’s like. I can have compassion for her because of that.” “I met you first,” he whispered. “That doesn’t give you license to be cruel.

And they're also very foolish, because no human being can ever make another human being completely happy. Human beings are far too imperfect for that.

—¿Volverás? —Su voz era casi un gemido. Él suspiró profundamente. —Mañana seré expulsado del Paraíso, Beatriz. Nuestra única esperanza es que tú me encuentres. Búscame en el Infierno.

No relationship is absolutely reciprocal. Sometimes, when couples try to split everything in half, they discover that the relationship is not a partnership but a bean counting exercise. Striving for reciprocity in a relationship can be unhealthy. On the other hand, striving to have a partnership in which each partner is valued equally and shares both burdens and responsibilities can be healthy.

She did not know what she had expected from her Dante, but she definitely hadn’t received it. So with the wisdom that comes only from having experienced a broken heart, she resolved to let him go once and for all.

God wants to rescue us, not destroy us. You don't have to be afraid of being happy, thinking that he wants to take that happiness away from you That's not who he is." "How can you be sure?" "Because when you've had a taste of goodness, it helps you recognize the difference between good and evil. I believe that people like Grace and St. Francis and a whole host of other kind, loving people show us what God is like. He isn't waiting to punish you and he doesn't give you blessings just to strip them away.

I want to look after you, no because you need it. Of course, you can look after yourself. You´ve been doing a damn good job of it since you were a little girl. But you don´t have to be alone anymore. You have me now.

As soon as the words presented themselves, Gabriel knew that they were perfect for him. Perfect for what he was contemplating doing to her. Perfect for his own self-justification. Tasting. Taking. Sucking. Sinning. Draining. Abandoning. She was pure. She was innocent. He wanted her. Facilis descensus Averni. But he would not be the one to make her bleed. He could not, would not, make another girl bleed for the rest of his life. All thoughts of seduction and mad, passionate f*cking on desks and chairs, against walls and bookshelves and windows, immediately gave way. He would not take her. He would not mark her and claim what he had no right to claim.

This was the joy that the world sought--sacred and pagan all at once. A union between two dissimilars into a seamless one. A picture of love and deep satisfaction. An ecstatic glimpse of the beatific vision.

Everyone wants to know where evil comes from and why the world is riddled with it. Why doesn’t anyone ask where goodness comes from? Human beings have a tremendous capacity for cruelty. Why is there any goodness at all?

—¿Por qué sigues creyendo en Dios? ¿No estás enfadada con Él por todas las cosas malas que te han pasado? Ella interrumpió lo que estaba haciendo y se volvió hacia él. Gabriel parecía muy infeliz. —A todo el mundo le pasan cosas malas. ¿Por qué iba a ser yo distinta a los demás? —Porque eres buena. Ella se miró las manos. —El universo no se basa en la magia. No hay unas reglas para las personas buenas y otras para las personas malas. Todo el mundo sufre en un momento u otro. Lo importante es lo que haces con tu dolor, ¿no crees?

Rachel looked annoyed. “Do you think he’s embarrassed by us?” “More likely he’s embarrassed by her,” said Gabriel. “She’s probably a stripper.” “Professors in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones.” Rachel glared at her brother and stormed out.

Das por sentado que mis anteriores relaciones fueron satisfactorias, pero te equivocas. Tú me diste algo que nadie me había dado antes: sexo y amor al mismo tiempo. Eres la única de mis parejas que ha sido mi amante en el auténtico sentido de la palabra.

Anything that exists has some goodness in it because God made it. And no matter how marred or broken or sinful that being is, it still maintains some goodness so long as it exists. Evil can only feed off of goodness like a parasite; if all the goodness of a creature were eliminated, the creature in question would no longer exist.

—Si yo bajara en busca de tu alma, ni todos los querubines negros juntos podrían apartarme de ti. Un escalofrío recorrió la espalda de Julia. —Haría lo que fuera necesario por salvarte —añadió él y, en ese momento, su expresión y el tono de su voz no admitían discusión—. Incluso aunque tuviera que pasar la eternidad en el infierno con tal de lograrlo.

Think about it. We are fed in the Eucharist, by our mothers when we are infants, by our parents as children, by friends at dinner parties, by a lover when we feast on one another’s bodies…and on occasion, on one another’s souls. Don’t you want me to feed you? You don’t want to feast on my body, but at least feast on my cake.” Gabriel chuckled. When Julia didn’t answer, he turned his full attention to his dessert. She scowled. If he thought this disgusting display of food porn was going to get her attention and maybe make her a little hot and bothered until she was putty in his hands… …he was right.

Julia closed her eyes and concentrated on the words to Lacrimosa, sung loudly and hauntingly by the multi-voice choir in Latin… Day of Weeping,on which will rise from ashes guilty man for judgment. So have mercy, O Lord, on this man. Compassionate Lord Jesus, grant them rest. Amen. What is wrong with Gabriel that he listens to this over and over again? And what does it say about me that I can’t help but feel close to him when I listen to it? All I’ve done is replace his photograph with his cd — I’m just not sleeping with it under my pillow. I am one sick puppy.

Before he left, Julia extended her hand. He took it, pressing his lips to her palm. I don't regret this, she whispered. He pulled back. The pain medication seemed to be affecting her thought processes. What don't you regret, darling? Getting pregnant. After this is over, we're going to have a little girl. We'll be a family. Forever. He gave her a tight smile and kissed her forehead. I'll see you in a few minutes. You stay strong.

Me prometiste que nunca me follarías, pero ¿qué fue lo de anoche? Ni una palabra, ni un «te quiero», ni una nota antes de marcharte. ¿Era eso? ¿Un polvo de despedida? —El susurro de ella se convirtió en un sollozo—. ¿Quién es el follaángeles ahora? Gabriel hizo una mueca de dolor. Fue algo más que una mueca. Fue como si acabara de recibir un puñetazo. Cerró los ojos y gimió débilmente, mientras se apoyaba en los talones y apretaba mucho los puños. Todos vieron como palidecía de golpe. —Eso me ha dolido, Julianne —murmuró.

This must be love, she murmured, in between sips of water. What's that? He sat behind her, cradling her in his arms. You held my hair, Professor. You must love me. He reached a tentative hand to her lower abdomen. I seem to recall you looking after me once, when I was sick. And that was before you loved me. I always loved you, Gabriel. Thank you. He kissed her forehead. We made this little one together. You aren't going to scare me off with bodily fluids. I'll remember that when my water breaks.

In addition to her boulangerie and fromagerie French, she knew enough of the language to realize that the title of Rodin’s sculpture, Le Baiser in French, was part of its subversion. For baiser in French could mean either the innocence of a kiss or the animalistic quality of a f*ck. One could say le baiser and refer to a kiss, but if one said, Baise-moi, one was begging to be f*cked. Both innocence and begging were wrapped up in the embrace of these two lovers whose lips never touched: frozen together, yet separated for all eternity. Julia wanted to free them from their frozen embrace, and she secretly hoped her thesis would allow her to do so.