Whether she had meant it in that moment — the time for it has passed, like a stone turned over. Nicky holds his ground, grateful that his beloved comes to stand beside him, as the two of them will assuredly stand together against this dark trail of water that is behind Quynh. Her loss and pain, time is enough to heal.

(Not all. Andy is — Andy is not like them anymore.)

'It can be like the old days,' he says. 'Or we will make our own new memories and know each other again. Our family has grown, but none of them took your place. It's always been there for you.'