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I keep picturing Henley in that hospital bed that day, his father lying beside him, asleep with his head on his chest, Henley’s arm protectively around him.
I get a vision of Henley carefully shaving his father’s face and whipping him with the T-shirt as he helped him dress. The way he used to help him shower and read him the morning paper.
The way he visited him every single day. The way they laughed together about everything and nothing.
Never to happen again . . .
I know his dad didn’t remember him, but that doesn’t make it any easier or any less significant. The loss is still so great.
My poor beautiful Henley.
I can’t imagine what he’s going through. I can’t even pretend to.
I’m so worried that I feel sick in the stomach. What if Henley does something crazy? Like, really crazy . . .
Fuck.
I drop my head into my hands in despair. I can’t stand the thought of him on the other side of the world. He can’t go. This can’t be happening.
A car comes into the street, and I glance up to see that it’s a black Range Rover.
What?
He’s home.
He pulls into my driveway, and with tears in my eyes, on autopilot, I stand. He gets out of the car, and his face falls as he sees my tears. “What’s wrong, baby?”
“Are you okay? I’ve been so worried.”
He pulls me into his arms. “I am.” He kisses me softly. “Now that I’m with you.” He holds me tight, and I can’t help but cry tears of relief against his chest.
My big, beautiful man, after all he’s been through.
He did it.
He leaned into the light . . . and made it home.
Epilogue
Twelve months later
I sit at the kitchen counter and smile into my coffee like the cat that got the cream, because I did just that.
Henley James, the biggest prize of all. The most beautiful man with the biggest heart. He adores me as much as I adore him.
What a whirlwind of a year, the happiest year I have ever had. My name is Juliet James, and I am married to the love of my life.
We got back just yesterday from our honeymoon, a month in Italy.
It was incredible . . .
Filled with love and laughter; the sun, the moon, and the ocean; and everything in between.
And I thought things couldn’t get any better, but fate has other ideas.
It just did.
Henley’s car pulls into the driveway, and I bounce up to greet him at the door. “Hello, Mrs. James.” He smiles sexily as he pulls me into his arms and kisses me. His tongue gently swipes through my open mouth.
