Hermione's words are the ones that Elena has been thinking. She's the writer, the reporter, and she couldn't put them together like that. She could only say that it was the right time for them to do this.

"He used to say it didn't matter if we weren't married. That we were mates, and that was more important." On some level Elena knew that to be true too, that it was enough for him. She also knew that this was better for them both.

"Really?" Her eyebrow cocks, curious and not bothering to hide it from her friend. "This I think I have to see."