Frederic nodded with a warm smile. "He likely will," he replied softly, and they stood there for a second, then two, apart. A slight ache formed in his heart and suddenly, he reached for Karen and wrapped her in a firm hug. He breathed her in, memorized the curve of her head against his chest, her arms around him, and after many more moments, he heard the familiar, loud footsteps of his son approaching the front step of Karen's house and reluctantly stepped back after placing one last kiss on her cheek. "I will see you soon," he said softly, and turned to get his coat as he started to hear the sound of Clover's young voice humming. He opened the front door just as his son was standing up from placing a little blue rock on the stoop and Clover looked up with surprise. "Pa?" "Clover!" Frederic beamed down at his son and swooped the little boy up in his arms as Clover's surprise quickly turned to joy. He turned around just as he walked into the street and smiled at Karen, raising one hand in a wordless goodbye before heading on his way home, his heart full.