Normally, Emmeline didn't mind the silence between them. Before it had been calm and easy. Now... now there was a thick tension between them and she hated it. It was frustrating and confusing. It hurt. It hurt so damned much she wanted to cry again. But she didn't. And she didn't say anything.

She frowned initially at his answer. His tone and presence said differently. Was he already going to not speak freely with her?

But then he continued. And she felt another pang of pain right in her chest.

She looked to him as he stopped and she did all she could to give him a reassuring smile. It didn't quite reach her eyes as it normally would though. Her eyes still held a pain she doubted would go away any time soon.

"I want us to be," she answered honestly, "We clearly both have a lot to think of. But I think so long as we both want it, we will make it."

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