"Babe, I want to meet your family. I really want to. You've always been postponing it. Is there a problem? Do they not like me?"
"No, baby, don't say that. Of course, they would love you. They just aren't here to see you."
His eyes become moist, glistening with unshed tears. A wave of guilt washes over me as I wonder what I've said wrong. Is he estranged from his family? Is it shame, or is he hiding something about them?
"Babe, is there a problem? Did I say something wrong?" I ask softly.
"No, baby. I wish my family could see you. See the woman who has brought me so much joy, but it's not possible because… they're gone. They… they died in a car crash during a family trip. I was supposed to join them, but work kept me. That… that's how I lost them. All of them."
His words hit me like a punch to the gut, and my heart aches for him. I pull him close, whispering sweet words in his ear to soothe his pain.