Page 92 of A Lifetime of Afters
Lou beamed up at him, her heart forever fractured for the son she lost, and beginning to heal for the son she finally had back.
The potent mix of grief and gratitude reflected on her face pierced my heart, and I had to look away to gather myself.
Standing, she nestled under his arm and wrapped her arms around him, a hiccupping sob escaped followed by a slightly hysterical laugh. Harley snuck in under his other arm.
Hawk looked at his father, his heart plastered all over his face. Raw and exposed, he asked for absolution.
Dan uttered one word, ‘Son’, and could manage no more.
Lumbering to his feet, his head tipped down, he grabbed Hawkley by the back of his head and pressed their foreheads together before gathering what was left of his family in his massive arms.
I sat back, between my dad and my brother, while Hawk’s family encircled him.
Max and my dad pressed against me from either side, and I reached for both their hands. I didn’t even try to stop the tears that fell. How else would she know I loved her if I didn’t send her these celestial emails?
Besides, I’d learned. Denying my grief led me to denying myself love.
When Lou and Harley released their hold on him, Dan took him outside to his workshop. When they came back in, they both looked all the better for it.
By that time, Harley and I were curled up on the couch together, cake plates all but licked clean, our fingers intertwined. I gave her a squeeze when he began making his way toward me.
She squeezed me back. “I’ll give you guys some space.”
Standing, she trailed her hand across his abdomen as she left.
He smiled down at her and briefly covered her hand with his.
Not generally demonstrative, I could tell she just needed to assure herself that he was back.
For real.
Hawk settled in beside me and nestled me under his arm. “Hi.”
I sighed in contentment. “Hi.”
He pulled me close. “I’ve missed you so much, Noelle. You look beautiful.” His eyes skimmed over the darker marks on my cheeks. He touched one side with a gentle finger. “What happened here?”
“I have a little rash.”
At his touch, the rest of the room melted away. I greedily drank him in.
He continued to study me. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
“I’m perfect.”He looks …rested? At peace?
He smiled, his eyes roving over my face. “That you are.”
“I’m glad you’re back,” I whispered.
The look he gave me touched my heart with an icy finger. “You are back, aren’t you?”
He dipped his chin to come closer. “Can you give me one more day?” He smiled. “One more day and then I’m going to give you better.”
“Give me better?”
“Don’t you remember? I said you deserve better. You told me to give you better.” He shrugged. “Going to give you better. Can you give me one more day?”
The panic in my heart stilled. I softened. “I can do that.”
