[ gently, with a hint of regret: ] I did not mean to distress you.

[ he lets her words sit, processes them. empathizes, as best as he can. she knows, now, better than he does, to have realizes that this is it. they are here, for better or worse, and they must bend or break under the weight of it. make plans for permanence, sow their seeds, expect a harvest on all their deals and promises. ]

I do not think- [ no, that's not right. again: ] You have my suspicions, and I have your insight. I thank you for it.