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‘We’re ready to officially declare the war over. To wipe the slate clean and work alongside you and Cam. Let bygones be bygones.’
He yelped when I pounced on him and pulled him into a crushing hug. ‘Thank you. It’s all I’ve wanted these past few months. I love you.’
‘Don’t be a sap,’ he said, extracting himself from my grip, but not before I saw the ghost of a grin steal over his mouth.
Cam walked over to us and took me by the hand. ‘Sorry Mac, but I need to borrow my wife.’
‘All yours,’ Mac said, looking relieved to get back to his angry staring.
Music drifted out through the clearing. From somebody’s phone, I supposed. Cam wrapped an arm about my waist and pulled me flush to his chest, swaying us from foot to foot. I laughed as he spun me around, the stars glittering far above us.
‘I love you,’ he kissed into my hair as we slowed and weaved together until the very last strains of the song.
‘I love you too.’ A wave of apprehension stole over me at what I knew was coming next. I only hoped I had judged my gift right.
‘Come with me,’ I said, taking him by the hand and leading him down the trail between the trees to a series of tiny log cabins where we were staying. He followed silently, his eyebrow cocking as we drew up to our door.
‘Desperate to bed me already?’ He grinned and kissed my neck. My heart leapt into my chest as I shook my head.
His brow furrowed as he looked at my expression. ‘Is everything okay?’
‘I...’ My breath shook as I tried to calm the nerves clawing at my stomach. ‘I did something that I’m hoping is a good surprise. But I’m not sure whether it will be or not.’
‘Princess, if it’s something you’ve planned, I’ll love it. You know me better than anyone.’
God, I hoped he was right.
A gasp tore from him as we entered the room, his fingers digging into my palm as he froze.
His mother sat on a chair at the table, looking as nervous as I felt. Fuck, no-one was moving. Had I misjudged it?
‘Mum?’ he whispered, the longing in his words breaking me. Then he dropped my hand and ripped across the room, gathering her in his arms as tears flowed down her cheeks.
‘Oh Cam, I’m so sorry. Sorry I left. Sorry I didn’t come back to get you out of there. I was just so scared.’ His mum broke as he squeezed her tight against him, no longer the boy she’d been forced to abandon.
‘I understand why. You don’t need to be sorry. He would have killed you if you hadn’t left.’ Cam pulled back and studied her face. It had been years since he’d last seen her and they’d both changed infinitesimally since then, physically and emotionally.
‘I wish I’d been braver.’
‘No apologies Mum, I still love you as much today as I did then. I never blamed you.’
They stood together for a long while, whispering together, making amends, making up for so many lost years together. It had taken Katie and me months to track her down, and longer yet to convince her Harold really was dead. She was a broken woman, and I only hoped that they could find healing in union.
‘I’ve missed you so much. We should go get Katie.’ Cam looked out of the window to where the lights glowed a way off through the woods.
‘It’s okay, I’ve already seen her. She brought me here today.’ His mother reached up and caressed his cheek. ‘My, how you’ve grown into such a good man. I’m so proud of you.’
‘I’ve missed you so much. Welcome home, Mum.’
‘I’ll leave you two lovebirds for a little while and go and see my Katie-bear.’
‘You could have joined us earlier,’ Cam said as she opened the door.
‘I didn’t know if you’d be okay. I wanted to surprise you a little more privately, to make sure you didn’t hate me. I wouldn’t have been able to live with myself if my appearance had ruined your big day.’
‘You being here could never be a bad thing. Will you stay?’
‘Yes sweetie, I’m staying.’
