“Yes but only for twenty-four hours. Then we’ll go in and set the bone if I have even the slightest qualm that it will heal properly. Otherwise, I’m hesitant to operate unless we absolutely need to.”
That I can agree to. I’d probably lose my fucking mind for her to be put under. I shake his hand as quick as I can and then shove open her door. He’s right—she does look comfortable yet I still doubt that’s enough. Nothing is ever good enough for her. Especially after the hell I’ve allowed her to endure.
I entwine our fingers and lift her small hand to my mouth, pressing my lips to her warm skin. “I’m so sorry.”
“It’s okay.”
My chest rips apart with her almost inaudible whisper. I clutch her tighter trying not to jostle her too much. “I thought you were asleep.”
“Just resting.”
So damn fragile she doesn’t even realize how pitiful she is or how ashamed I am that I fucked up so bad. “I swear to god I’m going to kill Harvey and make him pay for hurting you.”
Her whimper of pain when she tries to shake her head shuts me the fuck up fast. “I don’t need all of that.”
“What do you need then? Anything you want. I’ll do it or get it. Say the word and I’ll—”
“You. I just want you. Please don’t leave me.”
My heart rejoices even if my conscience doesn’t. She still wants me. “Never fucking happening.”
The strain in her tense body releases, and she softens against the pillow. I don’t deserve her forgiveness but there’s no other option than to hold her close and make damn sure she feels safe.
“But do whatever you have to do to make him tell you where your mom is.”
A grin curls my lips from her hint of a sadistic streak. “Guaranteed. Then we’ll find her and bring her back home. She’ll be so happy to meet her incredible daughter-in-law and mother of her grandchildren.”
“Me?”
The meds must be making her loopy. “Of course you. I’m not marrying or fucking anyone else.”
“Me neither.”
Her unbroken cheek lifts with a slight grin. I’m not sure if she’s high or teasing or both. But I’ll take anything she offers because I know she still loves me. I keep talking, rambling on about our future until she really dozes off. I rest my head on our coupled hands and wait for her to wake up. Ready to start all over again on the journey to prove how much she means to me.
Usually Tulip stands behind me, her body always protected by mine. This time, when I know for certain only my mother resides inside the tiny cottage, I allow my petal to go first. Hopeful a sweeter, smaller face greeting a woman probably terrified of seeing someone other than that bastard Harvey for the past twenty years will ease some of the tension. Now that we’ve found her after being imprisoned on this almost deserted island, I don’t want to cause her any more heartache or fear.
“Mrs. Klein? I’m Tulip, your daughter-in-law. I have Ares with me.”
The white wooden door swings open, and the child lurking in my usually cold heart bounces up and down from finally seeing his mom. Her face is just as joyous, simultaneously smiling and crying as she takes us in.
“Tulip? And…”
Emotion steals her voice and all she can seem to do is shake her head. Letting the tears flow down her cheeks and the sobs heave in her chest. My kindhearted wife, eager to comfort her newfound mother-in-law, wraps her tiny arms around her waist, cuddling her close despite her growing baby bump nestled between their bodies. I do the same, holding the women I love to keep them from collapsing together with the relief washing over all three of us.
We’re all finally together. We’re all finally home. We’re all finally whole.
The End