Just what is it that she wants him to say? Maybe he was gone to her, but he sure as hell didn't feel gone all those days and nights he sat in his cell with his heart in flames, burning hot enough to leave scorch marks in his very soul. He could never just turn the page on her, close her book before it was done, skip the predictable ending and move right along. Not like she did to him. Maybe he understands why she did, but that won't ever make it alright that she could. It doesn't matter whether he got her meaning or not. Her actions spoke loud enough to require no explanation.
Oh, but it feels so good to hold her little hand again. And just as surely as he understands why she chose to shake him off, he knows he could never do the same to her. It doesn't matter how bad that abandonment still stings. He doesn't ever want to be apart from her again. He can swallow all that hurt down, but he can't ever replace the feeling of his baby girl in his arms.
He looks over to Sarge, lifting his brows and then nodding towards the defrosted steaks on the counter. "Well, looks like we ain't gonna have to risk the old ladies fuckin' those up on us. We got our Shortcake to make 'em right, ain't no way they could do that cow justice like she can."