It hasn't been a painless time. Months of silence and diligent dedication to going to work and coming home. It's not as simple as the people who would simply wish they had their husband or loved one back. Carlisle is right there.

She can admit she has missed facets of him, greatly. She grieved still an absence, but Carlisle's regression into himself was an entirely different flavor of grief that couldn't be missed.

"It's not that I don't want you to, say it or think it. You can, if it helps you." She was half turned in her seat, holding his hand in both of hers. "I don't blame you for it."