"But it would be so much more fun to show you," he answers in a low voice, smiling against her cheek as he nudges another kiss there. He knows how lucky he is. To have another day with her, another week. To have her at all. To have this life in Darrow where he isn't in danger to the extent he had been in New York. To be free of Kara and every awful thing she had brought into his life.

Most important, just to have this moment. If John had his way all those years ago, he wouldn't have any of this.

Gently, he begins to walk Karen back toward their bedroom, and Bear huffs out an annoyed sound, wanting far more attention than he's getting. The dog wanders off to curl up in his bed in the living room and John laughs.

"Sorry, buddy," he says, not sounding sorry at all.