I hang the last banner and climb down from the chair, stepping back to check my handiwork. “What do you think?”

“Passable,” Merc says, then grins when I glare at him. “Looks fine, sis. I’m sure your man will appreciate it.”

I give my banner another doubtful glance.

We rarely decorate, even for the kids, but today is a special occasion.

Jarett is getting out of prison.

He’s out early on good behavior. It’s been eight months, though it felt like frigging years. I’m so excited I can’t sit still for two seconds.

I go check the snacks and the cake. Check my messages.

Check the time.

“You’re driving me nuts, know that?” Merc mutters. “Sit down for a second, will you? Take deep breaths, do some yoga, I dunno. Take it easy.”

“You know I can’t sit still.”

But I can’t get mad at him. He’s going with me to pick Jarett up. His playlists and jokes are the main reason I stayed sane—well, mostly—these past eight months.

That, and phone calls with Jarett, and the visits they allowed us.

“Come on,” Merc says now. “Let’s go.”

“It’s still early.” But I’m already grabbing my purse and jacket.

“No use waiting if you can’t relax for two seconds. We can stop on the way for coffee. Yeah?”

“You’re the best brother ever,” I tell him honestly.

“And don’t you forget it.” He winks at me, and turns to his phone, to ask for an Uber.

It’s finally happening. Jarett is coming back.

My heart pounds with equal measures joy and nervousness. I love him, and he said he loves me. He said it once, long ago, but he asked me to wait for him.

I do love him, so much my heart bleeds love. I’ve never cared for someone like that before. But can we be together? Can we pick up where we left?

* * *

True to his word, Merc has the Uber stop to grab some coffee, and then he takes us to the correctional facility.

We wait inside the car, and I can’t take my eyes off the prison gates.

Merc rolls his eyes at me.

I don’t care. This feels like Christmas morning and every birthday I’ve ever had and end of the year test, all rolled into one.

Finally the gates open, and three guys walk out, holding plastic bags with what have to be their clothes and things.

Jarett. I know his body, his dark hair, the way he moves.

Throwing the door of the car open, I’m out and running toward him before the gates even close behind him.

I think I hear Merc laughing.

I don’t frigging care.

Jarett’s bag slips from his hand to the ground. His face twists, and then he opens his arms and smiles.

I launch myself at him, unable to stop. I’ve missed him so much, I missed holding him, smelling him. Missed everything about him.

He’s holding me like he’ll never let go. Fine by me. I feel his hard muscles through his thin sweater. He’s lost a lot of weight, and there’s a chemical smell about him.

Underneath it, though, he still smells like Jarett, my Jarett. It’s still him. And he’s whispering my name, kissing my hair, over and over.

I cling to him as if he’ll disappear, and he’s holding me with such desperation I think he feels the same way.

Eventually, I reluctantly pull back. “Ready to go home?”

“Home.” He says the word like it has no meaning for him.

Maybe it doesn’t.

I take his hand. “Home, with me.”

He nods, then, a slight dip of his chin, and his gaze clears. “I’d go anywhere with you.”

And I know, deep in my heart, that everything will be okay.

* * *

“Here we are,” Merc says, unlocking the front door, and entering then turning around with a grin. “You ready?”

Jarett grips my hand more tightly than ever, the lines of his gaunt face tightening. “What for?”

“Nothing bad, I swear.” I tug him up the porch steps, and he goes along, his steps hesitant.

Merc opens the door wider, and there’s laughter.

Mary, Matt’s daughter, peeks around the door, shoved aside by her brother. “Welcome!” they cry out.

And Jarett stops. “What’s this?” I glance at him. His green eyes are wide, his cheeks pale.

“Welcome home!” more voices shout, and I tug again on his hand to get him moving, smiling.

“Come on. We’re home.”

We walk into the living room and suddenly confetti is in the air, and hands patting Jarett’s back.

“Welcome home, man,” Merc says, giving him a half-hug. “Good to have you back.”

“My boy,” Mom says, stroking his cheek, her eyes too bright. “How are you?”

“Jarett.” Matt and Kaden nod at him. My sister smiles, the baby asleep in her arms. Mom’s boyfriend waves. The kids wind about our legs like cats, laughing.

My whole family is here. A surprise party. A homecoming party.

I’m so grateful to them for trusting me on this, for trusting Jarett. So glad Matt promised not to roast him over hot coals for getting into such a mess and getting carted off to prison. As long as he stays out of trouble from now on.

But that’s up to Jarett to say. I can’t make any promises on his behalf. Whether he steers clear of gangs and violence has to be his decision.

That ulcer is still in the cards. I mean, he said he’s done with it all. He told me Connor, his adoptive father before the Lowes, was so set against crime and gang violence he’d felt sick with shame all this time he was following Sebastian around. That he’s relieved it’s over. That all he’s ever wanted was a quiet life.

I believe him. And I guess time will convince my family, too. Time. We’ll have that now. And although I have butterflies somersaulting in my stomach, I have to stop doubting and believe everything will turn out okay.

Matt already said he’ll offer Jarett his job at the garage back. Mom said Jarett can stay with us for as long as he likes. And Merc threatened to prepare playlists for him.

Jarett’s fingers clench convulsively around mine. He’s stopped in the middle of the room.

“Gigi.” His voice is choked. Just that. He says nothing else. His lashes are wet when he looks down at me.

“Welcome back,” I tell him, leaning into his side. “See, the thing is… I’ve waited for you all my life, and now you’re here. Please stay?”

“You’re my girl,” he whispers, and pulls me closer for a kiss. “I love you more than I can ever fucking say, and I’m right where I wanna be.”