[Playing a little. She doesn't have to answer it (he already knows).
Even while she says so, it's new at the same time. It means she's letting him in a bit further. He's never doubted that she does need him and wanted him near. There's a sense of relief in that, regardless to how thinking it (that she doesn't) in the first place is illogical.
She just said so, anyway.]
It's been a long time since then. [Yet barely a couple of years.] I don't think anything can go back to exactly how it was, but I'd be happy to see how things will play out this time.
[He pauses, feeling a little more amused.] You and Ai won't have to rely a lot on take-out meals, for one. But I'm sure that's something you're already looking forward to.