"I thought by leaving you behind on earth that I was keeping you safe. Later, in New York, I thought that contacting you would make you a target and would endanger you. I ensured you would be safe and I let you be, hoping that...if being associated with me caused you harm, I would rather be separate and ache for you than have you and lose you."

This was not the conversation he anticipated at this very moment but it was one they sorely needed to have, at least on his own part. "Jane, I care for you more than I have ever cared for any woman and I am sorry. I will try my best not to leave again."

He cupped her face and brushed his thumb beneath her chin, aiming to tip it up a little so he could kiss her. "Do you still wish for this?"