Exactly my feeling.I would love to throw my money at them just to get some talking, following, hunting and candle light dinner or something like that.
Cant expect less because the game was so amazing that it deserves a better/great ending.
And I loved your suggestion. Would be so great.
But as for minimum we MUST have atleast NPCs get back. Of course it won't be that satisfying, but I will atleast play the game second time. And I still hope for the best.