[Maria is quick to comfort him, her hands reaching to hold his. she squeezes them softly, a barely there touch at all. the man in front of her looks like he could break so easily if she wasn't careful.]

You talk when you want to. I don't expect you to tell me everything right now. Or tomorrow. Or even a month from now. It doesn't matter to me when you do it. If you ever. All that matters to me is you're here with me right now. [and she meant every word of that. Maria had been terrified of losing him and to simply see him? that was all that she needed.]

I love you so much. You didn't deserve this. Nothing you ever could have done made you deserving of that. I want you to know.