With Steve sandwiched between them, it really did feel like the three of them were part of each other, a team predetermined by whatever power in the universe had engineered the soulmate system. She'd heard people describe it before, the way it was with your soulmate, and even though they were now both hurting so much, Marie felt connected to them, almost peaceful in their presence. That peace was colored by grief and worry, of course, but those were emotions she knew intimately well.

"I know it hurts," she told Steve, keeping her voice low so no one might overhear them but also so her tone was more soothing. "It's gonna hurt for a long time. But one day it won't hurt quite so much, and you'll learn to live with what's left. Until then, we're here for you, sugar. You're not alone."

She didn't know if the words would help, if he'd even hear them in the state he was in, but she had to do something. Say something. Make sure he understood.