She was surprised how strange it felt to hear her former married name fall from his lips. She still missed Jesse from time to time. She'd loved him very much. But even if life and the war hadn't separated them, she wasn't sure they ever would have lasted. Looking back on her younger years from where she stood now was a curious thing. She leaned in to Kyle and rested her head against his shoulder. She reached for his free hand and held it.
"I know it's strange and hard to get used to. But once some of the shock wears off, you're going to love it, Kyle. I promise. We're safe, and we're together. We get to have real lives again."