[ The only other person she hugs at length is her mother, and even nowadays that's a rare thing; this is very much needed to cement he's not about to run off. It's not funny either, it's actually a horribly taxing relief to have him back, so all he gets is an odd sort of anxious, incredulous laugh as she shakes her head. ]

You've been gone eight months. Did you just forget to come back or have you been here all along? I tried to find you — do you have any idea how hard that is? [ Leaning back, she slides her hands into his to keep the contact a constant. ] It's practically impossible.