Dani

 

 

 

“I feel sick, Dax.”

My brother takes my face in his big hands. “This is the moment you've been waiting for since that little boy was taken from you. He's waiting for you, Dani. He's missed his mother so much.”

“I've missed him, too.” I sniff.

“Then let's go.”

I nod and let him lead me through the door of a small room. There's a couch, a TV, a coffee table, potted plants. The rooms not very big, but it looks like it was once a study. I don't know whose house this is, I just know it's not my brother's.

Or maybe it is and he just uses this place as some kind of safe house. It wouldn't surprise me.

There's a woman who looks to be in her fifties sitting with Alex, reading to him. She's kind enough looking, and she's holding my son around the waist as he sits on her lap with such gentle finesse.

“Hey, buddy.” Alex looks up at Dax and smiles widely. “You been okay?”

“Yes, uncle Dax. Did you...” His little voice trails off as he looks right at me. “Mommy, is that you?”

“Oh.” I sob with my hand over my mouth, tears clouding my eyes. He really does remember me. I thought maybe Joel would have somehow forced him to forget me. But he hasn't, not at all.

“Mommy. Oh, Mommy!” He jumps off the older woman's lap and makes a beeline right for me.

I drop to my knees and catch him in my arms, and a whole year's worth of want and pain falls away from me. “My baby boy.” I kiss his head over and over again, mumbling how much I love him and how I will never let anybody take him away from me again.

“Are you taking me home with you?” He asks, big brown eyes locking with mine. God, I can't even believe this is really happening.

“Yes, baby, Mommy is taking you home right now, and I will never let you go again.”

“Is Joel going to find me again and take me away from you?”

I shake my head. “Never again. He's gone and he can't hurt you anymore.”

My baby's smile is so beautiful. I have missed his smile. “Can we take my brother with us?”

“Yes,” I tell him honestly. “We can take Dean with us because his Daddy is with him right now.”

“His daddy found him!” He squeals excitedly. “Mommy! I told Dean his Daddy would come for him. I knew he would. I knew you would come for me too.”

“You did?”

“Yes,” He nods. “Uncle Dax promised I would see you again. Oh, Mommy, I love you.”

“I love you, so much, Alex.” I stroke the back of his hair, kiss his head and just hold him close to me for a few moments. I'm not ready to let go of him just yet.

But it isn't long before Dax tells me that Greg is ready to leave. That he wants to get his family home where we're all safe. But I'm not sure where home is anymore. I can't go back to my house because the police haven't finished collecting evidence from the crime scene.

The truth is, I'm not sure I could go back in that house ever again. I don't want anything from there, just a few personal belongings that I'm not willing to give up. Photos and such. Everything else we can burn.

I meet Greg in the hallway by the front door, Dean in his arms, Alex holding my hand. I wish I could lift him, but my ribs still smart a little. If I lift my son, I'll end up doing more damage to myself.

“Greg, I'd like you to meet Alex. Alex,” I look at my boy smiling up at me. “This is Greg, Dean's daddy.”

“Nice to meet you, Alex.”

“Are you going to look after Mommy and me? You're not taking my brother away from me?” I stroke the back of my sons head. He really loves Dean, and he's terrified of being parted from him.

“Yes, I am going to look after you all, because I love you all very much. No, I'm not taking Dean away from you. Brothers need to stick together.” Greg winks at Alex, making him laugh.

“Alex! This is my Daddy.”

“This is my Mommy.” Alex smiles shyly at Dean, hand in mine, swinging our arms back and forth. “We're going to live together forever, Dean. My mommy and your daddy said so.”

“That's right,” Greg smiles while wrapping his free arm around my waist. “Let's go home.”

“Erm, Greg? Where exactly is that? I can't go back in that house. Not ever.”

“It's okay,” Kory says with a smile. “You can stay with me for a few days until we sort out a new place for you all. I can imagine going back to that house after everything that happened would be too hard for anyone.”

I smile in thanks.

Greg kisses my head tenderly. “Ready to go home, soon-to-be wife?”

I laugh and nod my head. “I'm ready.”

“Ready, Alex?”

“Yes!” He yells happily.

“Ready, Dean?”

“I'm ready, Daddy.”

So, we go home.

All four of us.

Together for the rest of our lives.

Back to Oak Springs. The little town that brought us all together.

Home.