Page 18 of Redemption

"Not bad," I say, licking the frosting from my finger.

"Not bad at all, Red," he agrees, pulling me closer, both of us already messy with the adorable, colorful chaos we’ve created together.

Outside, the storm finally breaks, rain gentle against the windows. It feels symbolic, welcoming, like a fresh start. Together, we've weathered many storms. This one—this sweet, batter-covered moment—is ours alone.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

RUBY

My stomach isfull of nerves as I wait for the kids to get home from school. We didn't tell them there was a possibility that Caleb would be coming home with me. As far as I know they didn't even know that we were going away together. They've asked a few times when he would be coming home. If there was anything they could do to make our marriage work.

It sucked telling them no, but I always tried to impress on them that none of this had to do with them.

"Do you think they'll be excited?" He asks, sitting on the couch, his knee bouncing up and down.

"I know they will be. They've missed you."

He looks around like he's seeing the place for the first time. "I missed them too, and this house."

"There were times when I felt like the walls were closing in on me," I admit. "The memories we made here. They assaulted me every time I turned a corner, or went into our bedroom. Believe it or not, I was jealous of you. You didn't have those memories, and it looked like you were moving on so much easier than me."

"One thing I never asked you..." He licks his lips. "Did anyone try to date you while we weren't together? Did you think about it?"

God this is awkward, but one thing I've learned in the past week since we've been trying to fix this, is that I need to be honest. "I thought about it, especially when I was so mad that you wouldn't tell me what was going on. It was the loneliest of times, and I just wanted someone to talk to at the end of the day. That was one of the things I missed most about you not being here. I'd slide into bed, ready to hear about your day, and tell you about mine. And there was nothing. It was silent, and I wondered where you were. If you missed me as much as I missed you."

"I did," he answers softly. "It was weird. There were a lot of people, many who I never expected, who told me I should use the time apart as a hall pass. Of course the guys and dad weren't those people, but I was still surprised."

My chest hurts slightly. "Tell me who they were, I'll kick their asses."

A chuckle works it's way out of his throat. "Of that I have no doubt, but you don't have to worry. On the nights where I was really lonely, I invited a friend over. You haven't met him, but we have a new guy on the force from Calvert City. His name is Raven, and he became an important person for me while we were split up. Instead of wanting to invite me out to the bar, or anything like that, he was okay with coming over, and watching TV. We'd play board games, or he'd listen to what I was going through."

It's frustrating to hear him talk about this, because he was willing to give his thoughts and feelings to someone who wasn't his wife. Instead, I try not to dwell on that fact. "Raven?"

He grins. 'Yeah, his mom was a huge The Crow fan apparently, but didn't want to name him Draven."

Before I can ask anymore questions, the front door punches open, and the sound of our kids arguing breaks apart the peacefulness of the afternoon. They both see him at the sametime, and that argument dies on their lips. "Dad!" The excited voices bounce off the walls, and as they run for him, throwing their arms around his body, I do my best to hold the tears back. My family is together again, and this is what I've prayed for.

"How long areyou here for, Dad?" Levi asks, as he reaches across the table and grabs a piece of pizza.

"I'm not going anywhere," he answers. "I'm home for good."

Molly and Levi share a look between them, and I wish I knew what they had talked about between them. "I'm glad." Molly smiles at the two of us. "So that means you're not getting divorced?"

The drink I just took lodges in my throat, and I cough, trying to get it out. "We were never getting divorced, Moll. I'm sorry if you thought that, or if we worried you."

She shrugs. "Most everyone in school has parents who are divorced. It wasn't like it was a big thing..."

Caleb gets up, and goes around the table to where she's sitting. He kneels down so that they're at eye level. "It is a big thing. Adults don't take that decision lightly, Molly. I would never do anything that could hurt us as a family long term. I had to get my head straight, and I know you may not understand that right now. Hopefully you'll never have to, but please realize I've wanted nothing more than to be here with you, your mom, and your brother."

"Is it like when I want to be alone in my room?" She stares pointedly at Levi. "And I get annoyed when he keeps trying to come in?"

"Yeah, you know how your kind of overwhelmed? That's been me for the past few months. Your mom and I took some timeaway in order for me, for us, to work it out. We did that, and now I'm home."

She nods. "Are you going to leave again?" Her voice is tiny and it breaks my heart.

"No baby, I'm not leaving again. I'm sorry that I did. It wasn't a decision I took lightly, and I promise to never do this to you and your brother again. We're a family and we're going to stay that way."

She slides off the chair and wraps her arms around his neck, holding on tightly.

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