The words are like a slap to the face and Joe jerks, stricken. "We won't force you," he answers, quietly. They could try, but Joe doesn't want to. What good would it do, to make Quynh come along if she doesn't want to? "We can only plead, and beg for you to come back to us," he adds, his voice raw with emotion. And beg he would, if he thought it would make a difference. For forgiveness, for time, for love.

He closes his eyes to keep his emotions in check, his shoulder pressing against Nicky's for support. "That is true," he admits. It pains him but he can see it, how the ocean has changed Quynh into something strange, something unlike the sister they knew. He looks up to her again. "But it doesn't mean we cannot love you anymore."