"I'm..." His voice broken and he clasped his hands to keep them from trembling. "I'm so afraid to let myself love you again."
He put his hand to his face, blocking his eyes. "It's just... you're gonna leave again. You're going to leave and I don't think I can do it. I can't do it. And, you know, if you decide to take Aubrey with you this time, I'll have nothing. An-and I always knew you were going to leave but I used to think that I could enjoy the time you were here while I had it, but... God. I didn't think it would hurt this much."
"I'm not going to leave again," she replied slowly. Her voice was unlike he had heard before, and it was a mix of coolness and concern. Mostly concern. "I never wanted to leave in the first place. I never wanted to leave you or Aubrey." She shook her head. "I just wanted us to be a normal family."
His voice was weak, as if he were a wounded animal and she were a hunter. "But... you'll get tired of... this eventually. You will."
"No," she corrected. "I won't. I know I won't. I mean, how could I? I love it here with you and Aubrey.."
She moved to wrap her arms around him. "But nothing. There's nothing that could make me leave unless it was a threat."
He was shaking, his hands squeezing his knees. He tensed when she embraced him, but didn't pull away.
He didn't hold her, his entire body tense, but he leaned into her touch hungrily. "You... Avice, I can't do it. I can't handle you leaving again. So, you know, if you're going to leave, tell me. If you're here for Aubrey, tell me and we can figure it out. Just... don't tell me you love me and then leave without telling me."
"You know what I'm here for? I'm here for you and Aubrey and this entire town and this house. This life. This life with all of us is what I'm here for. I wouldn't leave it."
He lifted his hands hesitantly and pulled her close, his face buried in her shoulder. "You need to promise me. You'll let me know."
"Even if you think I'd argue," he insisted. "Even if you want to take Aubrey. I'll... I'll be understanding as long as you tell me."