Page 34 of The Road Back Home

Even with my anger at Katie’s letter, I can’t think of a single thing that could make my life better.

I have the responsibility of raising a child, yes, but I love Ashton more than life itself.

I’d loathe myself—never forgive myself—if I hadn’t stepped up.

I have an amazing support system in my best friends and parents, and my boyfriend is far more wonderful than I deserve.

I reach up with one hand, turn Holden’s face toward me, and interrupt whatever he’s saying with a tender kiss.

The day passes with an ease that I hadn’t expected.

I’d hoped Tristan and Luci would get along with Holden, but seeing how well they mesh is different than merely hoping.

By the time I go to bed, I have spent the last nine hours enjoying the presence of four of my favorite people, all of whom made the time pleasant beyond words.

I fall asleep wrapped in Holden’s arms with a smile on my lips.

Morning brings with it a cool sheets on an empty half of the bed.

I frown at the sight of bare sage-colored sheets, lift myself onto one elbow.

The bathroom light is off; no sound comes from inside, and the closet door is closed.

Holden clearly isn’t in the room. My phone screen reads 7:44 , but I can hear nothing.

Not even Ashton’s footsteps coming from his bedroom.

Sighing, I climb out of bed and head to the bathroom.

The mystery is too much to keep me in bed any longer.

The light temporarily blinds me as it fills the room, and I blink a few times, to clear my vision.

Once I can see properly, I stare at my reflection in the mirror, scrutinizing my face.

I don’t look any older—still look much the same as I did last night.

“Well, that’s fucking unfair.”

I still with my shirt halfway over my head at the voice that comes from the doorway. Tugging myself free, I smile at Holden, sucking my lower lip between my teeth as his gaze rakes over my exposed body. I reach out a hand and pull him closer as soon as I can.

“You didn’t have to come in, y’know.”

“If I had more time…” Holden shakes his head jerkily as if to clear the thoughts away. “Ash was looking forward to waking you up, so can you please get your pretty ass back in bed?”

“Give me thirty seconds.”

Holden ducks down to kiss me, stealing my breath, and I loop my arms around his shoulders. His hands skim along my sides to leave burning paths on my skin. I forget about my birthday, the plans, everything but him. Unfortunately, he pulls away far too soon.

“I can not believe I’m saying this, but put some clothes on.”

“How bad did that hurt to say?” I giggles, and his nose scrunches up.

“Too much. Now shoo. I’ll go get Ashton.”

Holden leaves without another word, and as soon as the door clicks closed behind him, I rush to the closet to hurriedly grab a clean outfit.

I pull on a lilac sleeveless tunic and a pair of denim shorts, barely taking the time to button them, before diving back into bed.

I’ve just gotten settled in when the door creaks open.

“An’ Dee s’eep?” Ashton whispers as well as a toddler can whisper.

“Yeah, bud, she’s sleeping. Why don’t you climb up there and see if you can wake her up?”

I ‘wake’ to the weight of a small child falling against my back, and Ashton squeals when he sees my eyes open.

He presses a sloppy smack of a kiss to my cheek, and I carefully roll over and tuck him into my side.

Holden stands at the end of the bed, and the smile on his face warms me to the core.

It’s soft and sweet and everything I never knew I was hoping for.

“What do we say, Ash?” Holden prompts, resulting in Ashton throwing his arms in the air. A stream of gibberish flows free, and Holden chuckles. “We say ‘happy birthday’ to Aunt Dealla.”

“Oh. Hap’ bir’ee!”

“What?” I gasp dramatically. “It’s my birthday? No way. Ash, is this a trick?”

“No,” he says with a giggle, drawing out the ‘o’ sound.

“Oh? Well, how old am I today?”

Ashton’s lips turn down in the corners, brows drawing together over sky-blue eyes, then his face brightens. “Old!”

“That’s rude,” I manage before bursting into laughter.

Ashton screeches and squirms as I tickle him, and the world feels right.

It’s so much better than I could ever have dreamed up.

Even if I had a million years, I will never be able to figure out how I got so lucky, but I refuse to examine it too closely.

All I care about is the fact I have Ashton, I have my family and friends, and I have Holden.

Holden, who clears his throat and nods toward the tray in his hands.

I kiss Ashton’s forehead and settle down.

Holden sets the tray across my lap, and I grin at him before turning my attention to the tray.

I ignore the food in lieu of picking up the paper.

Folded in half, it bears a scrawl of ‘Happy birthday’, and the inside is covered in a rainbow of crayon scribbles.

An uneven Ashton sits at the bottom, like Holden had helped the toddler write his name.

I cough quietly, smiles down at Ashton, then glances at the bowl.

“Is this your dino egg oatmeal?” I ask, and Ashton nods, reaching for the spoon.

“S’air!”

He shoves the spoon against my mouth, and I can’t stop the giggle even as I take the spoon from him.

Thanking him for the assistance, I lick the oatmeal off my lips and scoop a normal-sized spoonful of the hot cereal into my mouth.

I manage to quell the grimace that threatens to twist up my face; I have never liked oatmeal, but I can’t say ‘no’ to Ashton.

Not when he won’t understand. So I force down bite after bite until he grows restless.

Holden smiles apologetically, lifting Ashton into his arms, and I watch them go.

As soon as the door closes, I set the spoon down and shudder at the texture of creamed oats lingering on my tongue.

I move the tray until it rests on the bed beside me, then I roll off the mattress.

I hurry through brushing my hair and teeth, then carry the tray downstairs.

Tristan raises a mug in greeting. “Happy birthday, babe.”

“Thanks, Tris.”

Luci takes the tray from me, pushing me toward the table, and I sit in my usual spot beside Ashton’s empty high-chair.

My gaze roams over the people gathered—Cheryl, Samantha, Eddie, John, Henry.

I didn’t expect to see any of them, didn’t expect much for the day.

Maybe spending it with Holden and Ashton, video-chatting with Tristan and Luci, calling my parents. Maybe some drinks before bed.

This is far more, and it’s just started.

Warmth swirls throughout my soul, and a heady buzzing thrums in my veins. I lean to the side to kiss Ashton’s cheek, beaming up at Holden when he sets a cup of coffee in front of me. He ducks to brush his lips against mine.

“Happy birthday, sweetheart,” he murmurs before kissing me again.

Ashton pushes against Holden’s legs, shouting, “No tiss!”

“I can’t kiss Holden?” I ask, barely managing to stifle me laugh.

“No!”

“Then can I kiss you ?”

Ashton stares up at me with wide eyes then shrieks out a ‘No!’ Laughter erupts from everyone gathered as he pivots on his heel to toddle away quickly. I rise out of my seat to chase after him, but Luci sweeps him up and out of range of my reaching hands.

“Oh, darn, Aunt Luci saved you!”

“Lu save!”

Arms snake around my waist, and I turn her head to see Holden. There’s a gentleness in his eyes that makes them brighter, softer, full of something . I swallow against the emotions welling up in my throat, my fingers encircling Holden’s wrist. He rests his forehead against my temple.

“Don’t antagonize the child, sweetheart.”

“Fine, if I—Wait, is someone here?”

Holden shrugs and steps back. “I don’t know. Can’t think of who it might be.”

The floor falls out from beneath my feet when I look out the front window. My loud squeak echoes, brings more chuckles from the others, but I ignore them. My feet slip on the hardwood floor, but then I yank open the door and bolt outside.

“ Mom !”

My mother opens her arms as I close the gap between us. I cling to her tightly, and tears slip from the corners of my eyes. I haven’t seen her in person for an entire year; video-chats are fine, but being able to hug her tightly is so much better.

“Lemme get a look at you, baby.” She brushes a hand over my hair, her dark eyes glistening with unshed tears. “Oh, twenty-six looks good on you.”

“Don’t hog her to yourself, Rosie.”

I giggle and turn to my father father, throwing my arms around his neck. “Hi, Daddy.”

“Hey, sweetheart. Happy birthday.”

“Thanks! So, uh… How…?”

“That lovely boyfriend of yours called a few weeks ago,” my mom supplies with a subtle shrug of her narrow shoulders. “He invited us to come spend your birthday with you. He evidently thought he’d have to convince us, silly boy. Does he not know he needn’t ramble so much?”

“He’s not so good with words sometimes,” I admit then embrace her again. “C’mon, I’m sure everyone is ready to meet you.”

“Who exactly is ‘everybody’?” she asks slowly.

I merely grin in response, looping my arm with hers, and we set off toward the door.

The house beyond is quiet save for the chatter of two toddlers in the living room and the faint conversations coming from the deck.

I gesture for my parents to remove their shoes; once they’ve done as requested, I lead them to the living room.

Ashton and Henry play happily with Eddie, who nudges block towers until they collapse to the floor.

I clear my throat. “Hey, Ash, look who’s here.”

“Paw!”

My dad leans down enough to snatch up the child running toward him, and I bite down on my bottom lip to distract from the sharp aching in my chest. Taking Ashton away from Texas means I’m not the only one who’s left behind people who mean the most to me.

Ashton has lost connection with his grandparents.

“Holy Hell, you and your mom could be twins!”

“I like this one,” my mother announces with a soft laugh, and I shake my head.

“Yes, because I didn’t hear that all the time when I was growing up. Mom, Daddy, this is Eddie, one of my new bestest friends. That adorable monster there is Henry, Phil’s kid.”

“Nice to meet you guys,” Eddie says as he clambers to his feet. He comes nearer with a hand outstretched. “Dealla’s told us about you two.”

“Hopefully good things.”

I stifle a sigh at my father’s abrupt tone but don’t mention it. I understand what he’s about to undergo today—I’d felt much the same, overwhelmed and out of my depths, when I first met Holden’s friends. I pat his arm gently, trying to convey the comfort I yearn to offer but know he won’t accept.

“Only the truth, Daddy. So I’m gonna go find Holden. You stayin’ in here with Ash?”

“That okay?”

“No, Daddy. Not at all. You’re not allowed to spend any time with the grandchild you haven’t seen in months because I’m just that cruel. Yes, of course it’s okay.”

His lips twitch, and he tugs on a lock of my hair. “Not too old to be grounded, young lady.”

“I’d like to see you try, old man.”

“Alright, that’s enough,” interjects my mom, holding her hands up between my dad and me. “Eddie doesn’t need to hear y’all bickering. Deals, mind if I come with you?”

I stick my tongue out at him then dance out of reach when he swats in my direction.

His smile breaks free, and I turn on my heel to lead my mother through the house.

She nods approvingly as she takes in the sights around her, and she lets out a low whistle when she comes to a stop in the doorway to the deck.

Holden looks up from where he stands by the grill with John, eyes narrowed in the bright sunlight, and I inhale shakily. This is it—the moment the man I love meets one of the women who raised me. I wrap my arm around my mom’s, pulling her out into the mid-morning heat.

“Hey, everyone. This is my lovely mother, Rose. Mom, this is my boyfriend, Holden. That’s Tristan, Luci, Cheryl, Samantha, and John.”

To my surprise, my mom ignores everyone else, approaches Holden with arms open.

Holden’s face lights up, his smile slow and pure, as he embraces her.

Luci flashes me a thumbs-up and a beaming smile.

I, for my part, swallow against the tightness in my throat.

One down, one to go , I think as my mom moves away to hug the others.

“Thank y’all for taking care of my baby,” she says once she’s embraced everyone.

Holden meets my eye and reaches for me. I step into his space, and he doesn’t look away even as he says, “Thank you for giving us someone so wonderful to love and care for.”

Love . Could it be…?