Page 101 of Everlasting Vows

Twisting her fingers in my short hair, she sighs in my ear, her hot breath dusting down my neck, sending goosebumps cascading over my skin. Our hearts hammer the same heavy rhythm, and our muscles twitch from the come down. I release her leg from my shoulder and massage her hamstrings as her legs tremble.

My heart is so full that I’m concerned about it exploding out of my chest. That my wife has given me a second chance is miraculous to me. I fucked up so badly and yet she gave me the time and space to correct my errors. We’re stronger than we’ve been for years, and it’s all because of the grace she’s shown me.

“I love you. With all of my heart.” Her body softens against mine, sinking further into the mattress. I drag my face out of the crook of her neck and lock my eyes on hers. Warmth and compassion glow in her gaze. I can’t believe she still looks at me this way. “I know I let you down and you deserved so much better than what I gave you. I’ll work every day for the rest of my life to show you how much you mean to me and that you’re my priority.” I swallow the lump in my throat. “I’m sorry I hurt you. I promise to keep your heart safe the way I always should have.”

Her eyes trace over my face, and her lips tip up, flashing her dimples at me. She scrapes her short fingernails over my scalp, which feels incredible. “And I love you with all of my heart. I’m sorry I almost broke us.”

I shake my head. “You didn’t. That was all on me. I’m glad you finally asked for what you needed.” I dip down and press my lips on her forehead. “I’m thankful you stayed and gave me the opportunity to change.”

She cups my rough cheeks and pulls me down to her. “Thank you for making such important changes for me.” She shakes her head. “Not all husbands put in the effort that you did.”

“I’d do anything for you, Abs. You’re my heart.” I kiss her softly. “I’m nothing without you,” I murmur against her lips, then take her mouth, kissing her with all my heart.

Leaning my ass against the kitchen counter, one arm wrapped around Abbi’s waist as she leans her hip against the same counter, we sip our coffee as we discuss Murphy’s arrival home later this week.

She cups her drink between both hands and blows on the liquid to cool it. “I thought I’d make beef stroganoff for dinner on Thursday.” She grins over the top of her cup. “It’s his favorite. I’ve already asked for the afternoon off from work.”

“He’ll love that. I doubt he’s had a decent meal since he shipped out last time.” I can see her mind working through a million and one things. “I can make a special store run this morning to make sure we have everything we need.”

“Thanks. Work’s been so busy I haven’t had time to get his room ready. I need to air out his bedroom and put fresh bedding on this weekend.” Her eyes widen. “Do you think he’ll be okay with the stairs?” She rubs her hand across her forehead. “I should have thought about that before this. Maybe we should move him downstairs to the guest room.”

I squeeze her hip. “Stop. We can’t change anything. It needs to be his decision. If he thinks the stairs will be an issue for him, he can tell us, and if we have to stay up until midnight to change the house around for him, then we’ll do that. But taking that decision out of his hands will cause more harm than good. He needs as much of his life to remain the same as possible.”

She nods. “That makes sense. I need to remember what Harry said. We need to keep his independence intact wherever possible.” She sighs. “It’ll be hard. I just want to look after him.”

I lean in and kiss her temple. “I know you do. And I want to make his life as easy as possible too, but we need to give him the space to find his own way.”

Raising my hand to her shoulders, I rub the tension there. Abbi smiles at me, then sips her coffee. “You’re right. He’ll let us know what he needs. He’s never been backward in that way.”

I chuckle, remembering how straightforward he was as a kid and teenager. He’d let us know if he didn’t like something. “You air out his room and change his sheets. I’ll vacuum and do a grocery run.”

She nods sharply, a smile stretching her lips. “Divide and conquer.”

“Exactly.”

He won’t let us pick him up from the airport, so we’ll have to wait for him to come home. I know it kills Abbi, but she’s trying her best to follow Harry’s advice, even though it goes against her motherly instinct.

I sip my coffee as I watch Abbi’s mind work through everything she’ll want to do to make sure everything is perfect for Murphy’s return. “I can make a birthday cake to celebrate his homecoming and your 50th for dessert.”

I forfeited celebrating my fiftieth birthday this year. I wasn’t in the mood to celebrate anything with Murphy recovering from his injuries on the other side of the country and me deep in the trenches fighting my demons in the middle of the night. Abbi was more upset about it than I was, so I’m not surprised she’s using Murphy’s homecoming as an excuse to acknowledge my birthday. I smile into my next sip of coffee.

With our chores established, Abbi and I separate off to complete our tasks.

34

ABBI

Washing up from lunch, I feel the heat of Nix’s body behind me, and my muscles unwind with his proximity. He slides his arms around my middle, then tightens his hold as he leans down to press a kiss to the crook of my neck. I tip my head to the side with a soft sigh, giving him better access. His lips stretch into a smile against my skin, and he presses another kiss just beneath my ear. My own lips tip up at his easy affection.

“I think we’ve achieved everything we needed to today.” He releases me and grabs a towel to dry the dishes. “After our trail run tomorrow morning, I’ll wash Murphy’s car and reinstall the battery as well as take it off the blocks. Maybe take it for a spin,” Nix tells me as he dries the glasses and puts them away.

I pause, my hands buried deep in the soapy water. “Luckily he has an automatic car.”

Nix shrugs. “It’s easy enough to convert a manual car to make it suitable for an amputee if needed. But I know guys missing a leg who have no trouble driving a stick shift.”

Huh. Shows how much I know. “I guess I have to stop assuming he’ll have limitations.” My mind automatically goes to things he’ll no longer be able to do, and I need to change my mindset. Harry said it’s important that we don’t impose our ideas and concerns on Murphy.

The front door opens, and Nix and I glance at each other. “Is Prue coming over today? I thought she was busy.”