The Bound Between Us

Chapter 810

Anastasia had always been the one to keep her emotions under wraps. She'd waited so long, holding onto hope, and finally, the day had come he was back. But the man she'd longed for didn't even know her anymore.

That kind of heartbreak was something only she could understand. Still, she refused to let it show. The fact that he'd come home at all was comfort enough.

Every inch of the house still carried his touch-he'd picked out the curtains, arranged the photos, chosen the silly mugs in the kitchen. Now, he wandered through it like a stranger, as if none of it felt familiar.

Their two little ones, Emmie and Nancy, were babbling in the playpen, gripping the rails, chubby faces bright with smiles as they stretched their arms out to Herman. Blood really does run deep-no one could fake the bond between them. The twins, with their wobbly little legs, stumbled toward their dad.

And then, as if to seal the moment, Emmie-just eight months old-managed to say her first word. "Up!” she squeaked, reaching out.

Being a girl, Emmie always seemed a step ahead-she was crawling, flipping over, toddling along the edges, while Nancy hit every milestone just a little later.

That sweet, sticky "up" hit Herman right in the heart.

Anastasia felt a lump in her throat. Maybe, just maybe, the babies did remember their dad.

Herman bent over and scooped Emmie up, and she shrieked with laughter, her pudgy hands grabbing at his cheeks, squishing his face, then gnawing at him with

her gums.

wanting to taste the world, even

them for so long. She'd almost believed she'd never get

her gumming didn't hurt, but she sure left Herman's face covered in drool. The attention made Nancy jealous; he started fussing in the playpen, banging his small hands and

the impatient type, but he rarely cried—he liked to yell instead. When Herman didn't pick him up too, he smacked the rails in

like the kids are already fighting for

Herman picked up Nancy too, balancing a baby in each arm. Nancy, competitive as ever, went straight for Herman's nose just like his sister,

dad, and for the first time, Herman seemed to relax. Even if he couldn't remember,

them to give the family some space. Herman had enough on his plate -memories would come back when they

Dailey. "Did you ever get in touch with James? Where is

hoping the family

prairie, should be back in a few days. I'll remind him to hurry

company, and Flynn, it's your turn to

Herman recover, be there for

that Herman's back, spend time

Try something a little spicy tonight-bet he remembers everything in a

Monica always

don't you and Jason head home? I've got things under control,"