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Her unfettered laughter lifts my soul and infuses me with so much happiness, I can barely catch my breath. I pull her close and I don’t let go. I hold her as she weeps softly through being informed by the social worker that her first child is happy and healthy, and living a fulfilled life with adoptive parents who love him.

I hold her when we re-emerge into the sunshine and both our phones ping.

“You think the Savages have anything better to do than check up on us?” I gripe without malice.

She laughs. “Nope. They know today’s a big day for us. Bet they’re waiting by the phone, ready to call the moment we respond.” She lifts her phone, but I stay her hand.

“Leave it for one second, kitten.”

Her eyes gleam at the pet name, and her hand slides around my neck. “Are you going to make it worth my while, sir?”

I kiss her, long and deeply, in the middle of a car park in Maryland, and I’m filled with a sense of homecoming so strong, my head spins.

“Kitten, you rescued me and made my life worth something other than the hellish wasteland I turned it in to. You nourish my soul with your love and trust.” My hand caresses her belly. “I can’t wait to love and cherish our child the way I love and cherish you. I love you, Keely. So much.”

Happy tears fill her eyes and I brush them away.

“I love you too, Mason. Always.”

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