Once, in a life that feels very long ago and very far away, in a hotel in Mexico, John had intended on marrying the woman beside him. It hadn't worked out that way, his life had taken a very sharp turn into something else entirely and so had Jessica's, and as much as he regrets not being able to save her, he doesn't regret that his decisions have brought him here.

Carter, were she still alive, and Finch, were he still here, would both know what a big deal this is for John. He likes to think they would be proud of him. He likes to think Jessica would be, too, because for the first time in a very long time, he's standing here with someone who knows more about him than she doesn't.

"I guess so," he agrees and when he steps forward to kiss Karen this time, it's no chaste kiss on her forehead. He wraps his arm around her waist and pulls her close to him and kisses her in a way that's meant to convey the things he doesn't know how to say.