He would have been eighteen, no.

[She frowns, though she's glad that Desmond knows him from happier times, and doesn't need to know about those long decades between the tragedy and his retirement.]

I will leave it to him to tell you what happens next, but rest assured, all is well in his life. He has decided to retire, and we will be leaving Venezia for Roma soon, to make proper arrangements. Then... who knows? But I intend to keep him happy.