She will be terribly pleased, you know this. [ A bond is a bond even if there is no wedding. Perhaps a fine dinner? A feast of some sort. An excuse for him to cook and dote and live while reveling in living. He has not had so dark a day in quite some time, now. With her as a reminder to move forward?

It is hard to let the darkness creep in. ]

Ah, say no more. We can have a dinner instead, yes? To celebrate- none of the trappings or obligations of a wedding, all of the fun of a reception. Drinking, dancing- we are overdue a feast.