Page 76 of The Locksmith's Promise

And the evidence of his first tooth.

First cinnamon roll.

First steps.

I recognized the pictures in the album I pored over every night, but there was so much more that was new.

Corwin playing soccer at three years old, dancing in the middle of the field and picking dandelions while the other kids chased the ball like a pack of bees.

Looking so small standing on the front step of his school, a tiny knapsack strapped to his back.

At some point, I’d pushed myself back up onto the couch. Blindly, I reached for Maggie’s hand and hung on as Corwin grew before my eyes.

The videos became more sporadic, spaced out further than they’d been in the first year, but they hit all the first milestones.

When the screen went black for the last time, I hazarded a glance at Maggie.

She stared back at me, her eyes stark with pain.

Without a second thought, I reached for her and took her into my arms. “It’s okay, Maggie. It’s going to be okay.”

“I—” she began then swallowed hard. “I wanted you so badly, wanted you to witness everything with me. I didn’t think you wanted me. Or him.”

“I’m sorry,” I whispered. “I’m so fucking sorry I didn’t pick up the phone. I was scared I was turning intohim. I didn’t want to hurt you.”

She palmed the tears off her face and sucked in a shuddering breath. “I understand. I do. I just wish you’d been there with me. With us.”

“Me too,” I murmured. “More than anything. But there’s no point in punishing ourselves further. Thank you for showing me these. Thank you for watching them with me.”

She nodded and nestled into my chest.

Watching those videos made one thing clear. I wasn’t eager to waste any more time. “Are you ready to move forward?”

18

Promise

Maggie

Moving forward felt a whole helluva lot like stepping back in time. Especially since I hadn’t been to Mistlevale since the last time Baxter spirited me away.

This place held one of my favourite memories, one that remained unsullied despite what happened later. To be back here with him, after all this time, brought me back to that place where we were madly, irrevocably in love.

The madness had passed, but the irrevocability remained.

Looking up at him as he loped along beside me, my stomach dipped at what would come later.

What would he be like now?

Would my body recognize his?

Remember his touch?

A small, slightly hysterical laugh burst from my lips. Perhaps the madness hadn’t quite passed.

Baxter laced his fingers through mine, his mouth tilted up on one side as he stared down at me. “What’s going on in that head of yours, Mags?”

I flushed. “Wouldn’t you like to know.”

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