Much like his father, Tenzin was able to be the bright beacon for many people in the city, including herself.
Even the heavy sting of him saying how his and her relationship's mistakes ended up improving the one he went on to form with Pema, didn't cause the radiating light to dwindle when she looked into his eyes. The hope and kindness which gave Teninz's soul a warm glow, was something she knew a lot of people could take comfort in. He was one of the few people left in the world who could see things as they were, but also what they could hopefully become. Someone as bright as him shouldn't have to live in the shadow of losing a loved one but no one in the world was exempt from loss and death. Life could be cruel and often times was.
Neither her, nor him were perfect people.
Knowing that he had pulled away and taken an easier route in his mind, saddened her but also proved why she and Tenzin had to ultimately part ways. They were both on different paths, somehow coming to a fork in their relationship and never trying to find their way together. For Lin, the blame fell solely on her for being so difficult and shutting down; shutting everyone out when she was faced with her family troubles. When she should have confided in the only person left, the one she loved, she pushed him away. Time couldn't be reversed and she was sure if it could, she'd still want Tenzin to just go on and live happily as he had the past decades. His happiness is what really mattered to her, even when she felt quite sad and empty at the moment, as the chilling breeze blew by, his hold on her tightening.
Her confession was poorly timed and Lin was already beginning to rebuild her walls quickly in hopes that given the situation the air bender was in, that it could be easily forgotten about. It felt so wrong to bring up the past when there was no was to resolve it, especially now. But then again, if Pema's time was truly limited, Lin knew she should at least try to talk to the woman again if for Tenzin's sake and nothing else. Still, Lin felt rather foolish for admitting so much to him, even if it relieved much of the weight resting on her shoulders. It was just humiliating to have clearly not moved on when Tenzin had, quite wonderfully in fact. The topic of Pema was quick to resurface and by that point, Lin was collecting her resolve once again. While she still felt somewhat rejected and deflated, she also couldn't help but feel slightly liberated.
In a sense, Lin had finally confronted what she thought she could continue to bury and ignore. She still loved Tenzin. She couldn't deny it anymore, as hard as she tried. What kind of love it was, was still uncertain but Lin knew her affection for him was going to push her to become someone other than the lonely woman who had resigned herself to dying alone. She was already beginning to change, better late than never. "You're stronger than you think." She finally spoke up and smiled at him, her own eyes struggling to contain her own bundle of emotion. Tenzin was more than someone's father or husband. And he was much more than Avatar Aang's son. He was his own person and Lin knew he could get through the impending hardship.
She wouldn't leave him.
History wouldn't repeat itself.
"And so is the rest of your family. I know my mother doesn't give you air benders much credit, saying you just evade problems and have thin skin but that's not true at all." Lin told Tenzin. "Come on, I believe I was promised a bed and some breakfast." She stepped back. The two old friends resumed their trek to the pier and were then taken across the bay. When they arrived, all seemed still, as if time itself had been frozen. Lin and Tenzin headed into the main part of the house and saw that Katara, the kids as well as Korra and Bolin had already retried. Lin didn't have much to say until they neared the master bedroom. "It might be best if we all had a talk tonight." She considered as she placed a hand on his shoulder. “All three of us.”
Upon entering the darkened room, Lin felt her stomach tighten but it wasn’t out of animosity.
She glanced to Tenzin who went to Pema’s side quickly, while she walked more slowly, with evident deliberation. Tenzin asked how Pema was and the woman mentioned how she finished the meal Korra and Bolin had brought her and that kids and Katara had recently seen her before they had gone to bed. Lin finally made her way over to the side of the bed and Tenzin rose to let her sit down. “I wish I had good news to you.” Lin told Pema while the bald observer stepped back, allowing the women talk. “Tenzin may not want me to disclose this to you but there are more cases of people falling ill.” Maybe it would help Pema feel better, maybe it wouldn’t. Lin just wanted her to know that her illness wasn’t isolated and that it was a progressing problem that she was trying to fix as quickly as possible. “But...how are you feeling?” She asked, switching gears. There was no light at the end of the tunnel which Lin could see into, so she knew it was best to move on and focus on something else.
The past cheekily resurfaced and Lin looked to Pema, the wife’s face was discolored and drained of her usual youthfulness.
“I’m tired. I’m always tired.” Pema said as she pushed herself up with the aid of pillows. Lin didn’t know what to say. She didn’t even know what to do. Personal feelings aside, no one deserved this uncertain fate. “I’m glad you’ve come.” Pema continued, noticing Lin’s discomfort. “I’m also glad you’ve been looking after Tenzin and the children.” She said softly and reached for Lin’s hand. The earth bender began to look over her shoulder but stopped herself and simply took hold of Pema’s frail hand. Pema had by now let go of the hard feelings between her and Lin, the past was in the past and thanks to recent events, Pema was able to better understand Tenzin’s ex, even if it was just a little. “Knowing you’ll continue to be there gives me great relief. You will, won’t you?” Her children would need a motherly figure and while Pema would prefer Katara, she knew that Lin was a fine, more likely candidate. Underneath the woman’s gritty exterior, Pema was sure she could be loving and kind.
“Yes. Of course.” Lin said with a small breath. The idea of possible redemption was still fresh in her mind, even though she had already done plenty of bearing her soul. Pema was dying and it wouldn’t kill Lin to own up to her mistakes. “I’m sorry about the...rift that formed between us.” It was a big laugh to imply they could have been friends, even if she and Tenzin had parted on better terms. Still, Lin knew they needed to try and clear the air one last time. “I acted rather horribly and that was because of losing several important people all at once. I know you’ve been able to make Tenzin happy and I’m glad for that.” She said. Maybe there was a slim chance that they could have become friends, if they had though, Pema could have been a valued companion Lin could have relied upon. Alas, there was no sense in considering opportunities of the past. Pema looked to Tenzin and then back to Lin, slightly surprised by the way Lin was talking. Someone so closed off and brash wouldn’t be so free with their emotions but Pema knew that given the circumstances, it was understandable.
As well as appreciated.
“I know all of us should have handled things better.” Pema started to say. And while Lin hadn’t outright apologized for some of her actions such as trying to arrest her, Pema could tell Lin was trying to change things between them, better late than never. Pema knew she should have tried better to bridge the gap Lin mentioned but like Tenzin, it was a tough task to tackle and Pema often liked to assume she’d be met with Lin’s snappy comments, rather than someone so human sitting beside her now. “Thank you though.” She smiled. “You’ve done so much for me and my family, there really is no hard feelings anymore.” Pema said. One of the things she learned when she accepted Tenzin’s nomad culture and history, was how to let go of things like petty anger or memories. Meditating never really clicked for the busy mother but she did learn to forgive easier and enjoy life.
“I actually feel the same way.” Lin admitted. Yes, Lin was still disapointed by her own mistakes and even the thought of Tenzin brought great sadness, but she knew Pema had done something incredible and it couldn’t go unnoticed any longer. She had been a good mother and wife and Lin couldn't blame Pema for her own inability to communicate better. “I should give you two some time alone.” She said and got up to let Tenzin take her place. “Stay strong.” She said and let go of Pema’s hand before she headed for the door. Lin headed out and already knew where to find a spare room for the night. She needed a drink but for now, rest would have to suffice. She laid down and found herself far too drained mentally to even kick off her shoes as she let her brain finally shut off. Little did she know, the somber household was going to filled with heartbreak very soon.
When the door closed, Pema patted the bed to let Tenzin sit down next to her. When he did, she leaned against him and placed her hand against his heart. “It was good of her to check on me.” She commented. “And for your mother to come to help.” Of course she wanted to thank Korra as well but the energy it took to speak was steadily evaporating. “I love you and I always will, and I know you’ll always care for me,” Pema pressed her lips together. Just imagining her children growing up, her not being able to see them and guide them, made her heart overflow with sorrow and then break. “I just don’t want you to get stuck in the past and not...move on.” It was a painful idea to fathom but Pema knew that she wouldn’t remain on the earth for much longer and she needed to use that time to be with her family but to also give them comfort.
“I don’t want you to be alone.” She said softly and closed her eyes. For her, not much else needed to be said. "You won't lose yourself when I go." Pema told him and breathed in, the scene of home filling her weakened lungs. "Promise me...you'll find your way." She knew he wouldn't forget her, that Jinora, Ikki, Meelo and Rowan would remember her, and the way she loved them. Everything inside of her felt so weak, as if parts of her were about to crumble. "I think you should get the kids...it's not long now." Pema whispered and gestured to the cup of tea. Tenzin helped her take a drink and then he went to go get the rest of their family. For the next hour, Pema was able to surround herself with her children and husband, as well as her mother-in-law. Pema knew by now that she wouldn't be totally gone, that her spirit could remain elsewhere, which gave her comfort.
Before dawn, Pema passed away.
The next day was spent mourning.
Lin took the day off work to help where she could, however she could. She even spent time talking to the children but for the most part, it was crying which Lin couldn't really deal with. The Chief of Police handled the cooking and cleaning and at the end of the day, she made some calls into work and knew she'd need to ask Tenzin for some of Pema's blood to be handed over to her private investigation before the funeral. It was a tough request but Lin insisted it might give them a lead as to what really caused her death. The next day Lin finally left the island and Bolin also went back to work, as it was Thursday. The next next two days, Lin combed over the city as more and more benders steppd forward after having suddenly lost it overnight. As the weekend wrapped up, new reports were coming in that people were now starting to get bending when they hadn't shown any signs of being a bender before.
An odd case was a man who had developed fire bending when his entire family history showed now indication of having been fire benders. Lin immediately knew there had to be a connection between those who lost bending, with those who were now suddenly getting bending abilities. So far there were four cases of people waking up and finding out they can now bend. It had been a busy week as Tuesday night fell upon the city. There was a loud knocking and the woman's head snapped up from her desk where she had been using her arms for a pillow. The door opened and Lin quickly drew out her metal throwing knifes she kept on her person. Before she slung them at the intruder, she noticed it was Bolin. She sat up and set the small blades on the desk, her feet knocking into the several empty bottles which once contained whiskey. "Chief, there's um an, er--"
"Oh spit it out." She snapped as she peeled a report from her face which had gotten attached during her nap.
"Okay! Well someone's fire bending downtown. They're really freaked out." Bolin said. During the week, the young man had been busy with work and trying to help out with Korra and Tenzin's family. He wished he could do more but there wasn't a whole lot he could do. Working seemed to be the best way to help make things right, even if Bei Fong's personal investigation didn't disclose a lot of information. He did manage to visit his brother and Asami, who said she would do her best to help Tenzin as well. Lin hurried out of the office and used her metal bending to get her to the scene in under five minutes. When she got there, a lot of things were on fire and people were hiding while some were already burned to death. The man was screaming about how he couldn't control it and how he was just a janitor at a local school and that he never wanted to bend. Lin used her metal bending to subdue the man and he was taken to the station.
Now that she was so close to her own home, she saw no choice but to go back home and try to get some rest, aware that Pema's funeral was the next morning. She took a long bath and ordered pizza. She listened to the radio as she eat pizza and looked over the files that her officer had brought over about the recent janitor who had accidentally killed four people while injuring ten others. It was a sickening situation and the city was beginning to realize that something was wrong its people. Lin felt for both the victims without bending but also those who now could. Shaking her head, she took a pill and got into bed. During the past week, she had been over to see Tenzin several times. They did very little speaking but she wanted him to know she was thinking about him and his family.
- - -
The next day came and Lin dressed in the usual funeral attire, as a cop, she was used to dressing for dismal occasions. Lin left early so she could walk to the harbor as opposed to driving or bending. When she got to the ferry, she saw many others were waiting to be taken over as well. In the crowd, she saw Asami and Mako. When the boat arrived, everyone got on, many of them carrying flowers or pictures of the deceased wife. Ten minutes later and the silent crowd found themselves walking up to the island where the ceremony was to be held.
Asami had been busy during the week training with Xana and developing more business plans with Xano. She and Mako had trained twice since she harnessed her fire bending power but he was busy with work and by the time they got home at night, it was too late to train. When Asami and Mako found out about Pema's passing, Asami quickly made plans to pay for the funeral arrangements herself. She also ensured a catering company would be able to handle the food for Wednesday's service. Unbeknownst to her, Bolin, Korra and Mako, the city's people were losing bending as well as gaining it, much like she had at such a late age. If Asami had known Pema's death was carried out by her business partners and friends, she would have backed away and reported their medical abuse.
Since certain secrets were kept close to certain people, the focus of the morning could be spent honoring Pema's spirit.
Pema had been buried in a secluded part of the island where the family could still keep her close to them. After the funeral had ended, a reception began which allowed people to eat, drink and talk about whatever was on their mind. Thankfully the weather wasn't bad, considering it was beginning to get colder and windier. It was a blue sky with plenty of clouds and sunlight, with only a gentle breeze. Looking up at the sky as more clouds rolled past the sun, Asami took Mako's hand and laced their fingers together. It was now the mid-afternoon and the crowd was beginning to thin. By the time many of the mourners had left after speaking to Tenzin, Katara and the kids were ready to make the long journey back to Southern Water Tribe. Asami watched the kids and mother say goodbye to Tenzin as they headed down to the pier.
When they had left, she and Mako approached Tenzin.
"It was a great service, I know Pema is watching and very happy." Asami said, still holding Mako's hand. Losing someone really put things into perspective. It made small things look even smaller. And it made those people in your life, seem even bigger, more important. Life was short and could end unexpectedly at any moment. If you had words for someone, they were best shared soon, rather than never. It made her think of her parents and how she was lucky to have Mako back in her life, that Amon could have easily taken him or anyone else away. "You and Pema were so gracious." She told the air bender. "The both of you have been like parents to me, I know you're someone I wish my father was more like. And if my mother was alive, I know she'd be a lot like Pema; kind, warm and encouraging. If there's anything else I can do, please let me know." She glanced to Mako to see if he was ready to go.
Mako had said he wanted to cook for her tonight and at first, she wasn't so sure if it would feel right. But now she knew it would be. If someone was important to you, you would find a way to show it to them as often as possible. And this was Mako's way of showing it. The two of them needed a day together after being so busy. Heading down to along the dock, they waited for the next boat to come back so they could head back to Republic City and enjoy the rest of the day together. When it came, Bolin and Korra were also going across the bay but for an entirely different reason. They were going to the arena to do some practice together. Asami hadn't yet told Korra or Bolin about her fire bending. If she had, she would have gone with them. It just seemed ill-timed to have Pema die and then to announce that she could now bend fire. Asami was in no rush to say anything but knew she should soon. "We can give you a ride if you want." Asami offered to the two.
Normally Bolin would have jumped at the chance to get a free ride but the arena wasn't too far and he didn't want to intrude on the new couple who was giving it another shot. Bolin shook his head but then looked to Korra, not sure if she wanted a ride or not. It seemed like she was fine with walking so Mako and Asami headed to the car which was parked a few blocks away. Before they reached the car, Asami felt someone tap her on her back. It wasn't a normal tap however, it was insistent prodding and Asami already knew who was behind her. She let go of Mako's hand and turned around to see a blond girl with brown eyes. Asami's stomach feel as the blond threw her arms around her. "Asamiiii! Wow, like, funny running into you here!" She exclaimed and then pushed Asami backward rather hard. "I'm so mad at you." She glared and then went back to laughing. "You never returned my calls about vacationing on Ember Island, you bitch!" She waved a hand, still smiling wildly. "Oh this your new bff?" She looked to Mako.
Asami sighed, feeling a headache coming on. "No, this is Mako...my boyfriend." Asami said, figuring the best thing for Mako was to not be seen as single around Terrah. "Mako, this...Terrah." She said.
"Oooh, very cute couple." Terrah winked and looked back to Asami. "Glad to know you still love me, let's hang out again soon...maybe when you're not having a fashion crisis..." She said as she took a sip of her smoothie and looked them over.
"We came from a funeral." Asami narrowed her eyes.
Wasn't it obvious? Maybe to anyone else.
"Whatever, just call me so we can go to the beach, this city is getting so cold." Terrah pouted. "Can't you like...invent like, something so it doesn't start to rain and snow here?" She whined and then she checked her flashy silver watch on her wrist, nearly spilling her drink on her expensive looking outfit. "Aw I gotta go. If you don't call me, I'll assume you hate me and I'll have to start spreading rumors and trashing your yard hahahaha. See you soon!" And with that, Terrah pushed herself between the couple and continued to walk down the sidewalk, her tall heels clicking against the concrete. In Asami's mind, she thought it was miracle that Terrah could even tell time. Asami shook her head and gestured for them to quickly get going, thankfully in a different direction.
"She's one of my old...friends from day care." Asami tried to explain. "She's...a colorful person but not someone I have a close relationship with, if she wasn't a water bender, I would have shown off my own skills." Asami joked slightly. "She was always bragging about her bending when most of us didn't bend. After we went to different schools, we didn't see each other often but when my father hosted parties, she would show up." Asami said as they arrived at the car and she got in, ready to get going. "When we were kids in day care, she attached herself from me and refused to let me have any friends since she dubbed herself my protector with her water bending so-called superiority." She buckled up and rubbed her temples before she started the car. "I almost begged my father to move so she wouldn't know where I was living." She laughed a little. "We hadn't seen each other in over a year and I'm hoping she's forgotten my address...anyway, let's forget about her." She said, hoping Mako didn't mind that she had mentioned he was her boyfriend.
At present, they were taking things slow, tonight would be their first official date after all.
When they got back to her house, she turned off the ignition and turned to Mako. "Do you have time before you need to get dinner started?" She asked him. Even if he did, she wasn't sure what they could do. They could go for a walk around the grounds or do some fire bending, or just unwind with a drink and some good music. Her preference was something mellow and she pretty sure Mako felt the same way.
- - -
When they had got out of sight, Bolin let out a sigh and looked to Korra. Their training clothes would be at the arena, as would their equipment. For now, they'd have to deal with walking in black clothes but since the city had been notified of Pema's passing in the newspaper, the odd looks they were bound to get would be minimized. Locking his hands behind his head, Bolin began to walk and release a long sigh. It was difficult, even for him, to make any sort of cheerful remark about the autumn day. He just hoped Korra didn't wrap herself too tightly in the death, she couldn't have prevented it and she had done a lot to help out Tenzin. He had to put faith into whatever Lin was doing. Even though he and Mako worked at the headquarters, Lin's lips were still pretty sealed about her own investigation. All anyone knew, was to report any unusual cases to her and that she would handle them personally.
Bolin was able to get a general idea though. He had a feeling more people were getting sick like Pema but he wasn't sure how or why. Nothing had leaked about people developing new bending though, that new revelation was still close to Lin's chest. There were rumors circulating around work about what kind of people were falling sick. Each passing day, more people were dying or getting sick and Bolin knew Korra might be feeling more antsy if she knew what could be going on. Of course it was all speculation but Bolin thought it could be some kind of virus that was infecting certain people. Of course he only knew of a few cases and couldn't connect any of them. For the most part, he and the other new recruits were spent dealing with minor disturbances as the city was finally getting back to normal.
With the rebuilding done, he was interested to see the arena most of all. It still felt like home to him and held some of his favorite memories. Even with it being partially destroyed, Bolin didn't feel like he had lost anything because as an earth bender, things could be remade. Sometimes even better, in fact. The boy was enjoying his job and he was actually considering taking a big step: getting his own place. Pema and Tenzin had been so great to offer their home to him but he couldn't grow up if he was around kids all the time. Part of Bolin felt like he needed to stay and continue to help out but he also knew he'd be able to babysit sometimes, even if he found his own apartment. It was a concept that was still undeveloped in his mind but he was considering it when he saved up a little more. With Republic City rebuilt, he was sure he could find a deal somewhere. For now, he wouldn't mention anything. If anyone was going to be told, it would be Korra, Mako and Asami, surely they'd be able to help him find a place close to work in a price range he could afford.
Buying a place would be a huge step for someone like Bolin and he wanted to do it right and not end up back on the street.
"You said some really lovely things at the service." He mentioned to her.
The arena was quick to come into view and when they entered and made their way to the training gym. When they did, they saw a middle aged man trying to earth bend. Bolin gave Korra a look before they approached them. "Excuse me, are you...in the right place?" Bolin asked. He wasn't sure if the man thought this was open to anyone, but you had to be on a Pro Bending team to use the facilities, let alone be in them. "There aren't any matches coming up." He commented.
"I didn't know where else to go." The stranger confessed and put his arms down and turned to the pair, shoulders slouched. "I woke up three days ago and suddenly earth bended when I was outside in my garden. I daughter said I should come here and get some help." He explained, clearly a little confused as well as uncertain. "I'm sorry, I should go. I didn't mean to cause any trouble..."
"No, no you can stay." Bolin nudged Korra, hoping the grumpy man wasn't around today, who caught Korra in the very same room. "We can hep you get a handle on earth bending. But you're pretty...old to start bending." He couldn't help but point out.
"I never had until three day ago. No one in my family can earth bend, at least to my knowledge..."
"Well my name is Bolin and this is Korra, and together two thirds of The Fire Ferrets are gonna teach you everything we know!" Meanwhile, Pabu had already jumped off of Bolin's shoulder and scampered over to the mat where he could comfortably lay down and observe everything untold. "We just gotta get changed and we can start." He smiled. The man said his name was Watson and with that, Bolin and Korra headed out to their team's locker room. Once out of ear shoot of Watson, Bolin glanced to Korra. "Isn't it a little weird to suddenly discover you can bend when you're...well his age?" The man was probably in his late thirties or early forties. Bolin had never met someone so old who hadn't bended before. Most people discovered their talents by at the latest, their teenage years. They got into their locker room and he opened his locker and took out his uniform. "Learning to bend at a late age can't be easy...I mean living with the assumption you couldn't bend and then suddenly you could? That's gotta be hard to deal with." He considered. "What do you think? Would any of your past selves know about someone bending so late in life?"
He then turned his back so Korra could change without him being a perv. He quickly undid his black tie and went to unbutton his white dress shirt before slipping it off and grabbing a plain white undershirt.
- - -
By the time everyone had left, Lin was sure Tenzin would want to have time to himself.
But her findings couldn't wait any longer.
During the week, she managed to keep the new information to herself but she couldn't leave him uninformed any longer. Walking over to him, she placed a hand on his shoulder, squeezing lightly. "That's the last boat to the mainland." She said as it pulled away and headed for the city. "Everyone's gone." She dropped her hand and turned back to face the island. "I have some things I need to tell you, regarding this city's state." She said. With his children gone for a week, it would give her and Tenzin an opportunity to discuss things candidly without worrying about someone overhearing. And Korra was gone for the rest of the day, which also gave them some privacy. They headed back up and saw that cleaning was already beginning so they headed inside. "I didn't want to bother you but it can't wait any longer." Lin said as they moved into the sitting room and sat down on the couch together.
"There has been an increase in people getting sick and dying." Just as Pema had, but Lin felt she didn't need to say that. "So far I've been able to count 74 cases and I'm sure others haven't reported it." She told him. "That's not the worrying part however." She told him. "Six cases have also just appeared this past week of people suddenly developing bending." She told him. "These people are at the age where previous bending should have shown itself. These people all lead seemingly ordinary lives..." She pulled out the files from her pack and flipped through them. "We have a janitor, a teacher, a man who donates his homegrown food to shelters, an elderly woman who runs one of the most sought after foster homes in the city, a librarian, and someone who just graduated college..." Lin handed Tenzin the files to see if he could make anything of them. One of the air acolytes entered and set down a tray of tea and some of the leftovers as a form of late lunch. "You hardly ate anything." Lin knew this because she had been keeping a close eye on him throughout the morning and early afternoon.
In her pack, she had also brought over some alcohol, figuring this would be a time where he wouldn't refuse a drink with her.
"Anyway I have a surprise for you." Lin mentioned as he looked at the files. When he was saying goodbye to kids and his mother, she had gone off to add something to Pema's grave. While there had been a tasteful headstone constructed, it wasn't very personal nor inviting. Lin didn't think it suited Pema at all so she ended up bending a bust of the deceased which connected at the top of the tombstone. Unlike the grey polished tombstone however, Lin's creation was made of a fine white marble which had small bits of pink, gold and grey running through it. Lin figured it would be more welcoming for Tenzin and his family, than something cold and generic. "But you only get to see if you have something to eat first." She used her finger to push the plate of food closer to him. She took the files back from him and put them away, her attention now turning to their tea. It was weak, far too weak.
Grabbing their cups of tea, she pulled out her bottle and added a hefty amount of whiskey to them both before putting the bottle away. In her mind, it was without saying that she would be staying the night to make sure Tenzin wasn't a total wreck alone. Aside from being worried about him, she knew Pema wouldn't want her husband to be without company on the night she was buried. Lin knew she'd need to go into work tomorrow but she was sure the only thing she'd be tasked with doing as dealing with more unusual cases and trying to keep the press at bay. The city was already rumbling with fear, she could feel it in the air. Tenzin hadn't been into the city recently so she wasn't sure if he would want to take a trip in or not. Whatever he wanted to do, she would try and be accommodating. "If you'd rather go out for some dinner later, we can. But if you'd prefer to stick around here, we can do that too."
