AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“You’re safe, little sunshine,” I murmur, closing the distance and pressing my lips to hers, swallowing her gasp.
Chapter 25
Dakota
“Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” - Confucius
The moment the wordslittle sunshineslip from his lips, it's as though the room tilts on its axis, everything coming into a sharp, breathtaking focus. Those words are memories and emotions so deep that pierce through the haze of my groggy consciousness. My heart stutters, a beat skipped, then racing, as realization dawns, swift and stunning in its clarity.
“Wh-what did you just call me?” I croak out, my wide eyes on his. I don’t even notice the pain in my throat or the way my body aches. I can only see…him.
He’s smiling at me with tears in his eyes. Like he knows what that means. Like he understands the absolute depth of meaning that nickname holds for me.
But that's impossible, right? I’m losing my mind. I must have actually died and this is all some fucked up dream that my head is playing. I died and now my mind is trying to give me a happy ending. Right?
Tears spring to my eyes without warning. They trace paths down my cheeks as I continue to stare at Wolf. Part of me isbegging…pleading for this to be true. For this man to be the one person I have ever been in love with. Another part of me is screaming that I am delusional. That there is no way that fate was kind enough to bring him back to me. To answer the prayers I have been sending up for fucking years.
"Little sunshine," He whispers, tears trailing down his cheeks as he watches me process what the fuck is happening. Those two words…a nickname from a different time, a different life, through letters that were my solace, my secret haven.
And now, here, they feel like the answer to all my worries and fears. It’s like someone has finally decided to lift the wool over my eyes and let me have peace.
I blink up at him, my vision blurred by the tears that refuse to cease.
It's him.
The boy from my letters, the soul who knew mine in a way no one else ever has. How is that even possible?
“How?” I whisper even though it comes out as a broken sob.
It doesn't seem possible. I’ve spent a decade making up stories in my head about him starting a new life and being married. I created a whole life in my head so that I could live with myself. So that I could endure the loss of him.
His presence, the sound of his voice, richer now but unmistakably his, wraps around me like a warm embrace. Now that the pieces have been put together I feel like I should have known. I can see it now…all the little things I missed. His deep chuckle is exactly the same, his love of video games, his competitive nature, and his absolute devotion to those he cares about. How did I miss all the signs?
The hospital room, with its beeping machines and antiseptic smell, fades into the background, a mere setting to this moment of reunion, of recognition.
"How?" I whisper again, taking in his features like I need to memorize them. Like he might disappear and all I will have is this moment.
“We were always meant to find each other, baby,” he murmurs, leaning down and placing another kiss on my lips.
Tears continue to stream down my face as we kiss each other. I take my time, savoring every brush of his lips. Every soft sigh and small smile against my own. Because he’s right here. My Damian is…Wolf.
“Wait…I thought your name was Damian?” I break our kiss and blurt out my question. It seems silly but I can’t help myself.
Wolf chuckles at me, his gaze full of love and adoration, “Damian Bryce Wolfe, little sunshine.”
I smile at him and go to respond when my favorite voice cries out, “Mom!’
Aiden flies across the room and into the bed, crashing against me with anoofthat has pain rocking through me. I push it all down because having him in my arms means everything. I didn’t think I would ever see him again and yet…here he is. My baby boy is safe and alive and with me.
“Careful, bud,” Maddox murmurs as he saunters over, a rare smile on his face. When he reaches me he shoves Wolf out of the way playfully and plants a kiss on my head. “It’s so good to finally meet you, Bre.”
My eyes widen and I gasp as I look up into his face. The face that is attached to a boy I have heard so many stories about. A boy who played video games with me and his best friend. A boy who became a friend in my teenage years. His voice seems so familiar now.
“DarkKnight554,” I murmur, tears flooding my face as I grip Aiden to me. My heart is damn near exploding.
Maddox smiles wider and nods. He's shoved out of the way when Sebastian barrels over and wraps his arms around Aiden and me. He squeezes lightly and chuckles.
“Aw man, I guess my chance is out the window, huh?” He flirts playfully, giving me a silly wink.
