He sighs deeply as she presses her forehead to his, closing his eyes and nodding against the hands on his face. One hand comes to hold her wrist, steadying himself. "Promise," he agrees.

And as much as it sticks in his throat, he opens his eyes, searching for her, like he's somehow afraid he's lost his wife. "Promise me, no matter where this takes us, you'll always hold me at the end?"

Some part of him feels silly to even ask, and some other part of him is terrified it will be declined. But he trusts her, he reminds himself. She noticed the moment he was uncomfortable, and he loves her so deeply for it. She's always seen right through him.