And you know how much I love it too ... EoS said everything I think already: "fierce, tender and playful all in one package" - plus your trademark gorgeous, inimitable, masterful precision of writing. I keep looking for a favorite line to quote, but I can't settle on one! How about this for the moment:

“Then you bloody well better let me be there!” He stalked up to Bodie. “You are not the only one who understands loyalty, or what it means to have a partner.”

Just absolutely lovely! As EoS said, happy birthday - but we're the ones who got the gift! :-)