Page 102 of The Fall Before Flight

His lips meet mine in a soft, sweet caress. One hand moves through my hair, cupping my head gently as he kisses my cheeks, my eyes, my temples.

“There’s nothing to forgive,” he murmurs. “I love you so fucking much. Have probably loved you for years, though how I felt then is nothing to what I feel now. You walking into my office for the first time was the best and worst moment of my life.”

I giggle, drawing back to see his smile. “Why the best and worst?”

His thumb grazes my cheek tenderly. “It was the worst because you looked at me like you wanted to tear me to pieces, and because I wasn’t sure I could—or wanted—to stop you.”

“And the best?” I whisper.

“It was the best because I knew I was going to help you. That you were mine, had always been mine, and I was just as much yours. You didn’t bring me back to life, Amelia. You gave me life.”

I don’t know whether to sob or laugh, so I kiss him instead. I kiss him until the darkness of the last sixteen days dissolves completely. Eventually we become aware of our surroundings, the presence of children and adults in the garden.

“Can we take this somewhere private?” he whispers in my ear.

I laugh and stand, pulling him up with me. “Yes, but there’s something we have to do first.”

He frowns, disgruntled. “You really want to walk the labyrinth?”

“Nope.” I check my watch. “We’re going skydiving with Kinsey and Nix in exactly one hour, so we’d better get moving.”

The shock on Leo’s face is everything.

EPILOGUE

Leo

Dropping my briefcase inside the front door, I follow the sound of voices to the kitchen. Unnoticed on the threshold, I take in the scene before me. The space is absolutely trashed. Eggshells leaking onto the counter, empty boxes of baking mix on the floor, flour all over the stove. Ferdi’s sitting on the kitchen table, tail twitching as he surveys his kingdom.

It’s absolutely perfect.

Amelia and Vince have their backs to me, chatting as they layer icing onto a hundred cupcakes for a school fundraiser. Vince hangs on his stepmother’s every word, staring at her with blind adoration. Like father like son.

I gaze at my wife, her blond hair in a messy bun, her oversized T-shirt and leggings liberally sprinkled with batter and chocolate icing. I’m torn between the desire to bask in appreciation for my family and the need to drag her into our shower for a quickie.

“Do you think your friends will tease you?” asks Amelia, her concerned tone diverting my attention from the tantalizing outline of her ass.

Vince is quick to respond. “No way! They think you’re awesome. They’re already jealous I have three moms and that none of theirs are as cool as mine. They’ll just be more jealous that I get to see you whenever I want.”

Amelia ruffles his hair. “Aw, thanks, buddy. I’m so glad I get to be one of your moms.”

I frown, trying fruitlessly to figure out what they’re talking about.

“Besides,” continues Vince, “I won’t be in middle school for another year. Dad says there’s no point worrying about things that haven’t happened yet.”

Now I understand. Amelia recently landed her dream job working as a guidance counselor. The middle school just so happens to be in Vince’s school district, a huge blessing since it’s close to home and means less hours apart.

“Your dad is pretty smart.”

“Yeah, for an old guy.”

I clear my throat loudly. They jump, spinning with guilty smiles.

“Hi, honey! How was work?”

“Dad! Look at all the cupcakes!”

I can’t hold my frown. “Work was fine. Cupcakes look great. What do you two feel like for dinner?”

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