"I do, you know." Soft, so very soft, but clear. "Love him. Always will. Just like I'll always miss him."

He shakes his head, the smallest motion so as not to dislodge her. "I thought it'd be okay. I understood why he felt he had to go. I couldn't - I couldn't make myself tell him no. I thought, he'd come back in time, eventually, and then we'd... we could... but then he..."

His throat closes up there and he stops talking, trying just to make himself breathe.