Page 96 of Waiting for Redemption

“I love you, Honey.”

“I love you more.” She smiles, grabbing the locket around her neck. “Oh,I meant to thank you for this.” She pulls it out from beneath the collar of her T-shirt, running her fingers across the blue stone. “When Lauren gave it to me, I originally thought it was from her, but when she said it wasn’t I could hardly believe it was fromyou.” Her cheeks turn the perfect shade of pink as she dips her head to look at it again.

“Did you not look inside?” I smirk, making her look up, narrowing her gaze on me.

“No, why?” I reach up and click the locket open, turning it around to show her the photo inside. It’s the one of me and Hendrix at Spurs from the day she asked me to pick him up. When her eyes meet mine they’re so full of love I wish I had a camera to capture it.

“Thank you, Tank. It’s perfect. I can’t believe I didn’t open it,” she whispers, shaking her head as she admires the photo again.

“I forgive you,” I tease, kissing her forehead.

“I’m grateful.” She reaches back up, quickly kissing my lips.

“I want pancakes,” Hendrix grumbles from across the kitchen. When I look over at him his hair is complete chaos and he’s rubbing his eyes with a grumpy look on his face.

So he gets his morning rituals from his mother.

“Then I am making pancakes,” I announce, winking at Ruby before looking around the kitchen for ingredients.

“Yes!” he whispers, as he climbs up on the counter with Ruby. She slides back to sit cross-legged on the island while he lays his head down in her lap, telling me exactly how many chocolate chips to put in his breakfast.

I could get used to this.

* * *

Wife

When would be a good time for us to meet with the attorney?

Me

I’ve got clients booked for all my afternoons the rest of the week, but I’m free tomorrow morning.

Wife

Okay, how about after we drop Hendrix off at school?

Me

Sounds like a plan. Am I still picking him up this afternoon?

Wife

Yes, please.

Me

Hell yeah.

Wife

Don’t you ever try to tell me he gets it from me.

Me

That’s my boy.

And it feels damn good to finally say it.

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