Sebastian held my hand as we walked down the long path. The sun was warm on my skin and I adjusted my sunglasses against the glare. It had been years since I’d lived in Arizona, and the warm weather in December seemed so foreign. But after the early snowstorm we’d left behind in Iowa, the desert heat was a nice change.

After an intimate wedding in Iowa, we’d moved to Virginia for two years while we finished school. Then we’d done something crazy—even crazier than when I’d decided to move to Iowa with two strangers. We’d sold everything we owned, except what we could carry, bought two plane tickets to Europe, and left.

We spent thirteen months seeing the world. In Europe, we marveled at feats of architecture—everything from ancient Roman aqueducts to Gothic cathedrals to sleek modern skyscrapers. In Asia, we ate octopus and spicy peppers that left our mouths burning for days. Saw museums and temples. We took surfing lessons in South America. Walked through the Amazon jungle with a guide we were pretty sure was just as likely to feed us to a large snake as bring us back to civilization.

We slept in plush hotels, quaint bed and breakfasts, places with bug nets over the bed, and one shack on a beach that had no walls, but was so isolated, it didn’t need any. We lived off savings, the last of Sebastian’s college fund, and the money I earned as a travel writer for an online magazine.

When we returned to the States, there were still a hundred places we wanted to go. At least. But by then, we were ready for our next adventure. Something a little closer to home.

Sebastian got a job with an architecture firm in Iowa City. He’d applied for jobs in various places. Chicago, Austin, Miami. Seattle. But we both felt Iowa calling us back. We wanted to be near family and friends, and everyone we loved was there. Sebastian’s parents still lived in his childhood home in Waverly. Charlie and Olivia had settled in Iowa City. Their daughter, Liliana, was born just two weeks after we got back. Even Brian and Mary Harper were there. They’d relocated to be near Olivia and Charlie.

We bought a pretty house in a neighborhood we both liked, not far from Charlie and Olivia. It wasn’t fancy, but it was comfortable. We decorated it with treasures we’d collected in our travels. Art, books, vases, bowls, statues. A big decorative map hung in our living room, with the places we’d visited marked in gold.

Our house represented something so much more than just a roof over our heads. It was a home. A place that was safe and secure. A place where we could put down roots, and build our life together.

A place to raise our son.

I rested my hand on my belly as we walked. I had another eight weeks—give or take—before he’d be born, but it was hard to imagine him getting any bigger. I already felt enormous.

Of course, looking at the man I’d married, if our son took after him, he was bound to be big.

“I think it’s over there,” Sebastian said, pointing ahead of us.

We walked onto the grass and found what we were looking for. Liam’s grave.

I’d only been here once, for his funeral. His family had bought a beautiful headstone, with his name etched in large letters. Liam Edward Harper. Below, it read Beloved Son, with the dates of his birth and death. He’d been two months away from turning twenty.

I put the bouquet of flowers I’d brought next to the headstone.

Sebastian rubbed slow circles across my back. “Do you need a minute alone?”

I nodded, and he walked a short distance away.

How you doing, Bee?

“I’m really good. Maybe you know that already. I like to think you can see me, but I don’t really know.” The baby kicked and I rubbed my belly. “I’ve been to some of the places we put on our map. A lot of them, actually. They were amazing. We came back to the States, and Sebastian and I live in Iowa, now. We have a nice house. And we’re having a baby.”

I paused, a sudden rush of emotion making my eyes sting and my throat feel thick.

“I’m sorry you couldn’t stay.” A few tears ran down my cheeks. “But even though you didn’t have a lot of time, your life meant so much. So, thank you. Thank you for the time we had. For asking me to that dance. For being my friend—and my family when I didn’t have anyone else. And thank you, so much, for the gifts you gave when you left us. Your death meant life and healing for others. If this is the way things had to be, it couldn’t have had a happier ending.”

I stood for a minute, just breathing. Feeling.

Wiping my eyes, I stepped away. Took a deep breath. Sebastian came back and wrapped his arm around my shoulders, cradling me next to him.

“You okay?” he asked, his voice gentle.

“Yes,” I said, and I meant it. “It’s still sad, but I’m glad we came. It feels right.”

“It does to me, too,” he said. “Can I have a minute?”

“Yeah, of course,” I said.

I wandered away while Sebastian stood in front of Liam’s grave. The baby rolled and poked me with his arms and legs. He was an active little thing. I had a feeling we were going to have our hands full.

After a few minutes, Sebastian turned and nodded. I joined him, slipping my hand into his. He touched my belly and kissed the top of my head.

“Ready?” he asked.

“Yeah,” I said. “Let’s go.”

My heart was full of emotion as we walked back to our rental car, although I wasn’t sad. I felt an overwhelming sense of peace. Liam had been a bright spot in the life of a girl who’d known too much darkness. But he hadn’t been the love of my life.

That was Sebastian.

He was my best friend. My soulmate. The man I loved with everything I had. His love wasn’t a crutch for me to lean on. It was a fire that fed the flame inside of me. We loved each other, believed in each other, and supported each other. We walked side-by-side down the path we had chosen, secure in the bond we had forged.

Sebastian was quiet as we walked. I wondered what he’d said to Liam, but I didn’t ask. If he wanted to tell me, he would. But maybe it was something between them—something he didn’t need to share.

We drove back into Phoenix and found a restaurant near our hotel. We’d come down for a few days, mostly to visit Liam’s grave. I’d felt like I needed to. Like I needed a moment of closure. And with a baby coming soon, it was easier to come now. Two adults traveling was one thing—we were experts at that. But traveling with a baby was going to be a whole new ballgame.

The restaurant was quiet, and the waitress brought our dinners. I was starving—but I was pretty much always hungry lately. When we’d finished about half our meal, Sebastian put his fork down and looked me in the eyes.

“I thanked him for giving me his heart,” he said. “For saving my life. And I thanked him for loving you. He was in your life at a time when you needed him, and I’m really glad he was there. I’m glad it was him.”

I took a deep breath. “Me too.”

He reached across the table and took my hand. Brought it to his lips for a kiss.

“I was thinking about something else while we were there.”

“Yeah? What’s that?”

“What we should name our baby,” he said. “In fact, I’m surprised we didn’t come up with this sooner.”

I lifted my eyebrows. We’d been going back and forth on names ever since we found out we were having a boy. I was beginning to think we’d never agree. “Seb, we’re not naming him Blade. Or Ranger. Or Steel.”

“Come on,” he said. “Those names are badass. I’m keeping them on the list for future children. But no, that’s not what I’m thinking.”

“Okay, what are you thinking?”

He smiled, his green and brown eyes crinkling at the corners. “His name is Liam.”

* * *

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