Something softened in his eyes when she stopped him, some tension that he’d held onto easing slightly in the familiarity of family, even if they weren’t blood.  The kiss on his cheek surprised him however, and warmed something in him as well.  He should have come home months ago, but he’d been afraid of appearing to fragile, especially to Claire.  He had always been the strong one and his confidence had appeared unshakable.  It just proved that appearances could be deceiving.<br/><br/>When she lowered herself back down he put one of his muscular arms around her shoulders and squeezed tightly before turning them both towards the pier they could both see in the distance.  He made no move to let her go however, but draped his arm across her shoulders in a familiar way.  “I should have come back sooner, when you two could have used the help, but I was too much of a wreck and I think I would have done more harm than good…” he admitted, surprised when the words left his lips.<br/><br/>“Forgive me for not being here?”<br/>