The longer they stand here, the more reassured Karen feels that there isn't anything seriously wrong. There's bound to come a time when that's not true, but she'll be here if and when that happens, worried but not put off by worrying. She knew what their lives would be when she married him — when she first kissed him, even — and taking that on has been more than worth it. For the moment, then, she doesn't feel the need to wonder about how bad things might get, how much they might escalate. Tonight, he's come home in one piece, and she's grateful for it.

"And had you?" she asks, her brow arching, though she doesn't really mean it. Under various circumstances, they've played at being married for a long time, as long as she's known him, but actually being married is new enough that the thrill hasn't quite worn off yet. "Forgotten?"