His eyes were steely gray oracles, staring out into the vast blueness of the ocean, trying to think of nothing at all. However, he could do nothing but think of her. Over the past weeks, he had begun to fall for his first real love once more, and felt that she felt the same. He had shared a great amount of passion and love with his lost wife, but the kiss he had shared with her the previous night contained absolute electricity. He had never felt so much for one person before and now he was experiencing a hurt that he had never before felt.
However, he wasn't about to allow himself to wilt under duress. He could not do that. He was needed completely by his children, and no one would take his attention from them. He knew what happened to children who were neglected. She had once been neglected.
She had a life beyond him, and that life was asking for her now. She wasn't his property. There were no promises made between them. He himself had fallen in love and suffered guilt about her. Possibly, she was going through much the same thing.
Then and there, he decided to stand resolute. This wasn't going to get him down. He was stronger than the pain. He had conquered fear and pain long before. He would continue his life, and stand aside for her to live hers. He would go and take care of his business. Then he would return home and be the best father, son, brother, uncle, and friend that he could be. That was all that he made himself believe that he now needed to be.