Page 141 of Finders Keepers

My body seems to understand before my mind does. The constant knot in my stomach that I’ve carried for so long begins to unravel. My shoulders, perpetually braced for impact, start to soften. The dull headache that’s been my constant companion fades at the edges.

For the first time in years, my body believes what my mind has been too afraid to accept since officer Martinez spoke with me in the hospital. Matt is behind bars and can’t hurt me, can’t us anymore.

Gavin pulls my hand to his lips, brushing a kiss so gentle against my knuckles that I barely feel it. His eyes never leave mine, amber depths filled with an emotion I’ve been too afraid to name.

“I love you, Bailey,” he whispers, the words hanging in the air between us, barely audible yet somehow filling the entire room.

My breath catches. Those three words, words I’d stopped believing I’d ever hear again, words that had become twisted and weaponized in my past, sound different coming from him.

For a moment, I can’t speak. The tears that had just begun to slow start fresh again, but these are different. These aren’t tears of release but of recognition. Of being seen.

“You don’t have to say anything,” he continues, his voice still soft. “I just needed you to know. When I finally burst into that room and saw Matt…when I thought I might lose you…” His voice breaks slightly, and he clears his throat. “I realized I never wanted to waste another moment without you knowing exactly how I feel.”

I reach up with my free hand, ignoring the twinge of pain in my ribs, and touch his face. The stubble on his jaw is rough against my palm, and I can feel him lean into my touch like he’s drawing strength from it.

“Gavin,” I whisper. “I’ve been so scared for so long.”

He nods, patient as always, giving me the space to find my words.

“Loving someone… it terrified me. Because love was always followed by pain.” I take a shaky breath. “But with you, it’s different. You make me feel safe. You make Sophie feel safe.”

I glance toward the kitchen where I can hear my daughter’s little voice talking away with Ms. Lucy, then back to the man kneeling beside me, this man who has shown me what love is supposed to be.

“I love you too,” I say, the words coming easier than I expected. “I think maybe I have for a while now.”

His smile breaks across his face like sunrise, and he leans forward to press his forehead gently against mine.

Itug at my simple white blouse, making sure it lays flat against my faded jeans. The marks marring my face and throat have begun their transition from rich violet to a sickly green, a reminder of how far I’ve come in these last few weeks, and with the help of Ms. Lucy’s arnica gel. My hair falls in loose waves down my back, and I’ve kept my makeup minimal, some coverup, a touch of mascara and a swipe of clear lip gloss that adds a subtle shine.

“Mommy, is this okay?” Sophie twirls in my doorway, showing off her new yellow dress with tiny daisies printed all over it. Her hair is secured with a matching yellow ribbon pinned up in a half ponytail.

“You look beautiful, baby girl.” I help her straighten the white cardigan she’s wearing over the dress, fixing the collar. “Are your shoes comfortable?”

She nods enthusiastically, picking up one of her white sandals from the floor and pointing her toes.

“Uh-huh, Gavin helped me buckle them! He did it just right, not too tight!”

Speaking of Gavin, I hear his familiar footsteps coming down the hall. He appears in a light blue button-down shirt that brings out the color in his eyes, paired with dark jeans that fit him perfectly. His sleeves are rolled up to his elbows, showing off his forearms.

“Are my two favorite girls ready to go?” He leans against the doorframe with that easy confidence of his, and my heart skips at the way he’s looking at me.

Sophie runs to him, her dress fluttering, and he scoops her up effortlessly. “Ready! Can we get ice cream after dinner? Pleeeeease?” She clasps her hands together.

“We’ll see, Soph.” He winks at me over her head. “Why don’t you go grab your coloring purse? Just in case.”

“Okay!” She beams excitedly. She was gifted a tote bag from the nurses during my hospital stay last month and she officially made it her “coloring purse” since she can easily put her coloring books, sticker sheets, crayons and markers in it.

Once she’s down the hall, Gavin walks up to me effortlessly and pulls me into his arms. His cologne wraps around me, woodsy and familiar, a scent I have fallen in love with because of this man. “You look stunning,” he murmurs against my hair, his breath warm against me.

“You clean up pretty nice yourself Dr. Mitchell.” I rest my head against his chest, listening to his steady heartbeat through the soft fabric of his shirt.

“Bailey.” His voice is soft, serious, with an undertone I can’t quite place. I look up to meet his eyes, finding them full of emotion. “These past few weeks… having you and Sophie here with me, it’s everything I never knew I needed. I love you both so much.”

Tears prick at my eyes, and I blink them back, not wanting to ruin my mascara. “I love you too. You’ve given us so much more than just a safe place to land. You’ve given us a home.”

His thumb traces along my jawline, tilting my face up to his. My breath catches as his lips meet mine, soft and gentle at first. The kiss deepens, and I melt into him, my fingers curling into the fabric of his shirt. His arms tighten around my waist, pulling me closer, and the world fades away until there’s nothing but the two of us in this perfect moment.

“Ready!” Sophie announces.

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