She wasn't wrong about rebuilding dreams that had been destroyed, but he wasn't the same heartsick kid that had originally been dumped back in time either. His experiences on earth, both before and especially during the war had fundamentally changed him.
But the dream of finding someone he could grow old with, have a family with, had stayed with him. During the war he honestly didn't think it was going to happen, because he didn't expect to live through it. He very nearly hadn't.
With Elyssa he had someone who had their own demons to fight, someone who understood the kind of hell he'd been through. Those who hadn't experienced sustained combat would never fully understand, and he was grateful that this amazing woman had survived her own hell to come into his life.
"Eventually, but I'm in no hurry to grow old either.". His hand squeezed hers and he smiled. "Having a party here sounds like a great idea. I'll see if I can't get Aunt Sookie to do us a huge favor and help whip some food up."