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JESS

Luke was on his knees in front of me, tears streaking down his face as he pressed his lips to my stomach like it was the most precious thing in the world. His shoulders shook, and I couldn't stop my fingers from diving into his messy black curls, holding him there, grounding I stared down at him-this big, tough guy I thought nothing could ever break-and all I could think was, My family is back. We're whole again.

Laura was practically sitting in Josh's lap in the wheelchair, clinging to him like her life depended on it. Josh held her just as tightly, his face buried in her shoulder. But I couldn't focus on them for long because Luke tilted his head back, looking up at me with those piercing g And what did I see there? It wasn't anger or guilt or even relief. It was love. The kind of love that takes your breath away and makes your knees weak.

"I can't believe..." His voice cracked, and he shook his head, leaning his forehead against my stomach like he was trying to catch his breath.

His hands rested lightly on my hips like he thought I might disappear if he held me too tightly. I tugged gently at his hair, and when he looked up at me again, there was something new in his eyes-something raw and broken.

"I'm so sorry," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

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my voice soft as I brushed a tear off his

my hips tightening just a little. "The test. Your first doctor's visit. The first time you felt them move.

His voice cracked again.

going to let him carry

my hands framing his face so he couldn't look anywhere but at me. "Hey," I said

tell him everything I didn't have the words for. His lips trembled against mine, and

his and held his face, making sure he couldn't look away. "You're here for the rest of it," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

as he rested his

added, smiling a little even though my

emotion it nearly undid me. "Always for you, and I'd rub those hideous feet every single day for the rest of my life," he said, his voice stronger this time, his green eyes locking

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the moment. "Not to interrupt, but I feel like I'm

shoulder, laughing through her tears, and

for the first time since I'd seen him walk through those airport doors. I

be okay," I whispered, more to

for the first time in what felt like forever, I really believed

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