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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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what?" I asked, my voice soft as I brushed a tear off

it," he said, his grip on my hips tightening just a little. "The test. Your first doctor's visit. The first time you felt them

His voice cracked again.

let him

him, my hands framing his face so he couldn't look anywhere but at me. "Hey," I said firmly, keeping my voice steady despite feeling like I might cry. "You're

shook his head, but I wouldn't let him argue. I leaned forward and kissed him, soft and slow, trying to tell him everything I

look away. "You're here for the rest of it," I said, my

rested his hands over my stomach. "For them," he repeated, his

I added, smiling

hideous feet every single day for the rest of my life," he said, his voice stronger this time,

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moment. "Not

laughing through her tears,

was smiling through his tears for the first time since I'd seen him walk

be okay," I whispered,

in what felt like forever, I really believed

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