Page 166 of Penalty to the Heart

“I’m really here, beautiful. Sorry you had to do this all on your own.”

“That’s okay,” she laughs, happy tears streaming down her face. “You were busy. Caleb helped.”

“He did, huh?” he says, flashing me a smile.

“He’s grown up since you went MIA on us.”

“So I’m starting to see. Guess I have a lot to catch up,” he says, lost in his wife’s eyes.

“Doesn’t matter. All that matters is that you’re home now.” Erin smiles widely. “Have you met your son?”

“I was hoping you might introduce me to him,” he smiles, his voice starting to grow heavy with emotions.

“I’ll give you guys a minute,” I say before giving them a moment of privacy.

“Caleb?” Jack calls out as I take a step, ready to leave.

“Yeah?”

“You did good. I’m proud of you.”

I nod, not even making an effort to hide my tears anymore.

“Just glad to have you back, Jack. Really fucking glad.”

“So am I, brother,” he says, looking at his wife and son. “So am I.”

I walk back into the corridor and lean against the wall, slipping down on it until I’m sitting on the floor, hugging my knees and bawling my eyes out.

It’s only when I feel her, my Roxie, wrap her arm around me that I lift my head off my knees.

“What’s wrong? Is Erin okay? Is the baby okay?” she asks, filled with worry.

“Both Erin and the baby are fine. They’re better than fine.”

“Then why are you crying?” She looks at me, confused.

“These are happy tears, love. My heart is full. So fucking full.”

I know she can’t understand why, and I’m still too overwhelmed with Jack being up on his feet to be able to explain it to her.

Instead, I stand up and kiss her, pouring all the happiness I feel at this moment into that one kiss.

“What was that for?” she says breathlessly, her cheek flushed.

“I just love you, that’s all.”

“I love you too, Caleb.” Her amber eyes sparkle up at me.

“Good. Because there’s someone I would like you to meet.”

She nods as I lace my fingers with hers.

When we walk side by side into Erin’s room, Jack is lying beside Erin on her bed while their baby lies in his arms.

“Roxie, meet my nephew, Jackie, and his father, my brother Jack. Jack, this is Roxanne, your future sister-in-law.”

Epilogue

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