You will need to continue being a friend with no expectations. Allow him to come to you. That means no pressure from you on any point. He's still baking up and he's not completely done and it could be many months before a decision is made in his mind as to whether he wants to take the plunge and come home.
It's nice that he's reconnected w/the children, but what about old friends and his family? Has he reconnected w/them?
Again, just as everyone has suggested, let it be. When the time is right and he's baked up completely, he will begin to hint about returning home. Please be very patient. This is very important at this stage of the crisis. You do not want to push him the other way.
Sit quietly, the answers will reveal themselves when you least expect them to. The past is gone, the present is a gift and you need to focus on today, allow the future to reveal itself when it is ready.
