Going back to writing the novel now. That's a paragraph from last night's chapter.
“Wife. What a strange…
"Wife. What a strange word, with its dark history. There were so many variations on the old words now, to accommodate varied genders and groupings, but Maya was still fond of wife, and husband. For her best friends wedding, theyd sat together, going over traditional language for the vows, deciding what to leave out, what to keep. Maya hadnt been able to do much for Cassie, not in the midst of her last year of med school, with her father rapidly failing. But at least she could help her find the right words. 'You cannot possess me for I belong to myself. But while we both wish it, I give you that which is mine to give. You cannot command me, for I am a free person. But I shall serve you in those ways you require, and the honeycomb will taste sweeter coming from my hand.' That was lovely. Maybe, in this family, Maya would actually taste honey some day."