Page 119 of Misery and Ecstasy

It took less than a second to answer.

“Ours.”

I never imagined it would take me as long as it has to return.

I never imagined I would have missed it as much as I have.

But it’s not just the familiarity of the clubhouse I’ve felt the loss of…

My chest aches, thinking about all of the people I grew used to seeing regularly. Those who welcomed me into their family—even those who may have needed a little more time to do so. The people who were by my side as often as they could be over the last month.

They’re the same people who line the porch of the clubhouse when we pull up to it, standing beneath a large banner that says, “Welcome Home, McK.”

Tears prick my eyes the moment the scene comes into view. Every member of the Gettysburg Bastards is present. In addition to them, my mom, Alexander, Marissa, and Olivia are all front and center on the steps leading to the porch.

As Draven comes to a stop in front of them, I cover my face with my hands. I want to be embarrassed. I hate when people make a big fuss over me, and there has been more than enough of that lately.

But I don’t feel anything but love. My heart is full to the point of bursting.

“Draven, what did you do?” I both laugh and cry at the same time, wiping the tears from my face.

“Don’t look at me, Kins. I haven’t been home in weeks. This is all them.”

Exiting the car first, he opens my door for me then helps me out.

“Welcome home!” A collective greeting hits my ears the moment my feet touch the ground.

“You guys…” My voice is swallowed by another wave of emotion.

They walk toward me, pulling me in for hugs or offering me careful high fives.

“How the hell did you get a sign so fast? We didn’t even know we were coming home today.” Exasperation hits me as my mind does the math.

I know the club can do anything they set their mind to, I just hope they didn’t have to hold anyone at gunpoint to make it happen.

“We ordered it last week.” Olivia pulls me in for a hug, and I squeeze her as tightly as I’m able to. “We had a good feeling you’d be home soon.”

“All right, all right. Let me get her into the house.” Draven scoops me off of my feet. “I’m on strict orders to make sure she’s not overdoing it. Now that she’s home, I want to keep it that way.”

I’m met with another surprise when we get inside. Royce’s office has been transformed into a first-floor bedroom, complete with a queen bed and a dresser. Draven sits me on the edge of the bed before pulling a few drawers open to show me they’re full of my clothes.

“This is just to make things a little easier on you until you’re ready to take on the stairs again.”

I eye him suspiciously as he sits down next to me. It takes me two tries because I’m still working on strengthening my motor skills, but I eventually lace my fingers through his. He’s patient and lets me do it on my own, knowing it will only keep me moving in the right direction.

“What would have happened if I’d told you I wanted to go to my house when we left the hospital?”

With a cocky smile, Draven shrugs.

“I guess everyone would have had to hurry up and move all of this to the office in your house.”

“Mm-hmm.” I cock an eyebrow at the smug bastard.

“Maybe I would have tried to talk you into coming here instead. But I had faith you’d make the right choice.”

“You had faith, huh?” He nods his head as he leans in to kiss me.

“Smells like dinner is almost ready. I can set you up with a tray table at the sofa if you want. Or you can eat it in here.”

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