Luke watched me like he wasn't sure what I was about, but he let me skim my hands over his face, feeling his skin open up under my palm.
 
"Was it a bad dream?" he asked slowly, before pulling away from me. He didn't go too far, and I lowered my head, my hair falling in front of me.
 
"No, I just...like, the past few months were wrong. On my part...the silence we subjected each other to and the loneliness...everything Luke. They were wrong. Of me. They were wrong. That we both were thrown into this without actually...knowing what to do with this situation. I don't hate you, I could never, I just...we both didn't deserve this."
 
He bit down on his lips. "I know. But it's not us. The situation is...weird. We found ourselves in this marriage and..."
 
"I want to make this work." I said, looking up to him, my trembling hands coming to my face to slowly wipe it away. When I dropped my hands, I could still feel the moisture under my eyes.
 
Without a word, Luke brought his thumbs under my eyes and wiped them away, then let his right hand linger over the right side of my face.
 
"You think it will really work?" he asked, his voice going low. "Karla, I do not expect...wait. Come sit here."
 
I nodded, unable to stop the tears, and he pulled me to the couch. He sat right next to me, holding my hand, occasionally bringing his hands to push my hair behind my ear or wipe my tears away.
 
When I finally got a hold of myself, he was looking at me almost incredulously, like he couldn't believe I was capable of such emotions. But I didn't know I was too. Until he came along and made me feel everything.
 
"I had no idea you felt so alone. I am sorry, I should have been better."
 
I looked up, swallowing. "I did this too. You were as much of a victim as I was."
 
"But we weren't put in the best position to do anything better. This is the situation we found ourselves in and as two bruised people, we just...did what we thought was best for us. Staying away. But I did grow used to you, at least. I got used to your silence."
 
He squeezed my hand a little, then slowly released it. "I don't expect a beautiful marriage immediately, Karla. We are still getting to know each other and unlearn the bad things we told ourselves about each other. You don't have to go the extra mile. I just hope we could become to each other a listening ear whenever we need it. At the very least, Karla."
 
He still was the same way, taking all the blame, being so mature. I was always the childish one, the one who kept my feelings bottled up because I felt too proud to let them out, the one who foolishly thought she could have more time. 
 
I was taught in the worst way, or the best, that I really don't. And I don't know what miracle brought me here, but rather than the past, I am determined to make the most use of it.
 
I swallowed and pushed myself upwards to him, wrapping my arms around his shoulder, my head resting in the crook of his neck. This time, he didn't hesitate, and simply held me too, his arms wrapping around my back, one palm flattened to slowly tap on it in a consoling manner.
 
For a few minutes we stayed like that, and I could tell that even if he hadn't directly said he had been lonely all through our marriage, I could tell he was.
 
Slowly, he let go of me, then tucked my hair away behind my ears. I burst into laughter, seeing how he was going it for at least the tenth time, and he simply smiled, his dimple sinking. 
 
Silence fell between us, and I could see him awkwardly nip at his fingers. I could tell he was still not used not being close to me, and I gave a sigh.
 
"Well, ugh... Maybe I should..." My voice trailed off as I stood up.
 
He nodded at me, and I started to walk away before he suddenly called. "Wait. Breakfast?"
 
I turned to where he was pointing, and I broke into a large smile. "Definitely. I don't remember having dinner last night."
 
He smiled again and I came over, and instead of moving the food to the dining, he moved the center table away and just settled the large tray on the floor.
 
I laughed and plopped down on the floor across from him.
 
"It's a guilty pleasure," he said a little shyly, and he handed my cutlery to me.
 
I nodded. "I know."
 
His brow raised at me, but I simply waved it off.
 
"I mean, it's comfortable and feels like a picnic out in the fields, doesn't it?"
 
He immediately nodded with a small smile, and I saw his eyes drop to my neck. He didn't say anything, and I simply proceeded to start eating, serving myself slowly.
 
"I wasn't sure you'd care for spice, so you can add some if you want it." He handed me the canister and I collected it, but just dropped it back. 
 
"I don't really care for spice. Thank you."
 
He simply nodded and we ate in silence. I noticed his eyes occasionally dropped to my neck, but he wouldn't say a word.
 
"Is something wrong, Luke? You keep looking at my neck."
 
He smiled and shook his head. "It's just...I like your necklace."
 
My brows furrowed. "Necklace?"
 
He nodded, then pointed at my neck. I looked down at it, and the necklace younger Luke had given to me was sitting on my neck.
 
I brought my fingers to touch it, my lips slightly parting. I came back with it. The entire thing was a miracle.
 
I looked back up at Luke who still seemed enthralled by the necklace. "Does it...look like something you would get?"
 
His brows furrowed at the question and I moved closer. 
 
"I mean...in a shop full of jewelry...does it look like the one you'd pick?"
 
He studied it for a longer while, and his eyes skimmed to my face once, then back down to the necklace.
 
"Yes. If I am picking the piece for you, then yes, it does look like something I would get."