PLUS ONE

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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voice soft as I brushed a tear off his

hips tightening just a little. "The test. Your first doctor's visit. The first time you felt them move. I missed everything, Jess. I

His voice cracked again.

to let 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 wouldn't let him argue. I leaned forward and kissed him, soft and slow, trying to tell him everything I didn't have the words

look away. "You're here for the

his eyes, his breath shaky as he rested his hands over my stomach. "For them," he repeated, his voice

a foot rub," I added, smiling

so full of 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,

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a loud sniffle, totally ruining the moment. "Not to interrupt, but I feel like I'm third-wheeling so hard right

through her

smiling through his tears for the first time since I'd seen him walk through those airport doors. I leaned forward and rested my head on his shoulder, breathing

going to be okay," I whispered,

in what felt like forever, I really believed

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