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Istand in front of the bathroom sink as I wrap the navy cotton of Heath’s robe around my body, tightening the tie around my waist. My face is free of makeup, and my hair is in a wet, messy knot on the top of my head. Studying myself in the mirror, I see a different woman staring back. She isn’t the same as the one who stood in this same place many months ago. That woman was lacking self-confidence and was shadowed with so many worries she was unable to feel self-reliant. But I no longer see her in my reflection.

I feel the weight of Heath’s stare on my neck, and my body heats from the attention. “The first time I saw you, I thought you were the most beautiful girl in the entire world, and at the age of eight, I think it was, I had all the life experiences to determine that fact,” he says from the entryway of the bathroom. He’s wearing gray flannel lounge pants, a white T-shirt, and a smile.

“I remember coming home from school and telling my mom the most beautiful girl started at my school that day.” He laughs. “I remember asking her if it was all right that I was going to marry that girl one day.” He pushes himself from the doorway. “Did I ever tell you what she said?” he asks as he comes up behind me. The warmth of his body radiates through the robe.

Instinctively my body leans towards him. “No,” I say as I keep my eyes trained on him through the mirror.

His hands come up, running along my arms. He dips his head down, kissing then biting my neck, making my knees weak. “She said she that she must be special if I was willing to risk the potential of a cooties infection.” He smiles with his lips still against my neck, his eyes now trained on me.

“Well,” trying to keep my expression neutral, “cooties were some serious stuff back then. I’m glad I made the cut.”

“You’ve always made the cut, babe. There was never any doubt.” He turns me around so that I’m facing him. “I’m sorry that I made you think otherwise.”

I glide my hands up his chest, making sure not to touch his incision, I circle them around his neck. “I’ve learned a lot over these past few months, Heath, and it wasn’t just you. I’m to blame for how our marriage has been, just as much as you. For so long I thought you were the one taking me for granted, but I’m just as much at fault as you are.”

“I can’t spend another night in our bed alone, Whit. I can’t do it. Not anymore. Not when we aren’t guaranteed a tomorrow. Not when we never know if the future is certain. I need you here.”

“I am here.”

“No, you’re not. I don’t want temporary, baby. That’s never been an option when it came to you, and even now that hasn’t changed. It’s time, Whit. It’s time that you come home for good.”

My heart hammers against my chest. When I feel his arms tighten around me, I give him a bright smile. “Okay, Heath. I’ll come home.”

His mouth comes down on mine. Preparing myself for an intense kiss, I’m taken aback by how soft and gentle his lips feel against mine. “Thank you,” he whispers against my lips. “Thank you for not giving up on us.”

I deepen my kiss, letting him know that in his arms is the only place I’ll ever want to be.