Page 15 of Redemption

I lean in, my forehead resting against his. "I need you to come back to me," I murmur, my voice trembling with the weight of all my emotions. "Not just physically. I need you to be here."

He nods against me, our breaths mingling. "I will, Ruby. I promise. I’ve been so caught up in the job, I lost sight of us. But I’m done with that."

I pull back slightly to meet his eyes, searching for sincerity, for the truth of his words. There’s a depth of emotion there I haven’t seen in months, a raw vulnerability that breaks my heart and puts it back together all at once.

"Do you mean it?" I ask. "I need to know that you mean it, Caleb."

His gaze is steady, unwavering. "I do. Almost losing everything because of my own negligence... It’s like getting hit bya freight train of realization. I want to put in the effort, Ruby. For us. I can’t promise every day will be perfect, but I’ll try."

Relief floods through me. It’s as if the sky has cracked open, letting in warmth and light to banish the shadows. I kiss him, putting everything I feel into the kiss—the fear, the relief, the love, the hope. It’s more than a promise; it’s a vow renewed.

When I pull away, he smiles at me, a hint of the boyish charm I fell in love with peeking through the weariness. "Thank you," he says, his voice thick with emotion. "For forgiving me."

"I love you," I whisper, and it feels like the simplest, most profound truth I’ve ever spoken.

He draws me close, wrapping me in his arms. "I love you too. More than anything."

We sit like this for a moment, cocooned in each other, letting the world outside fade away. It’s just us, rebuilding the bridge that the past months had begun to break apart.

As the calmness settles over us, I think about the future. There's so much we need to talk about, so much to mend, but for the first time in a long time, I feel hopeful.

"What do you think about coming home?" I suggest gently. "The kids miss you, I miss you. I realize now that you've been trying to protect yourself and us by isolation. I should've seen what it was before now."

"I’d like that," he replies. "Being with you like this? It puts everything else into perspective, and reminds me of everything I'm missing."

I can’t help but smile at that. It’s like starting a new chapter—a fresh page where the story of us can continue, stronger and more resilient.

And though life will keep throwing its challenges our way, I know we can face them. Together. As a team, just like we promised on our wedding day. This moment, this connection,is a reminder that love, even when tested, can be the strongest force.

As the shadows lengthen outside and the quiet of the evening settles in, Caleb and I talk. We talk about his work, our fears, our dreams, and everything that lies in between. It’s as if the events of the day have peeled back our defenses, allowing us to be transparent and true with each other.

I listen as he shares what’s been on his mind—the pressures, the dangers, the relentless pace of his job. I realize how much he carries, not just for himself but for others. It’s a heavy burden, one that he’s been trying to protect me from, but we both know that we’re stronger shouldering it together.

In return, I open up about my worries, my need for him, my support and love. We rediscover the rhythm of us, the push and pull, the give and take. It’s not perfect, but it’s real and it’s ours.

Eventually, we sit in comfortable silence, watching the room slowly darken. The last rays of the sun filter through the curtains, casting a gentle glow around us. I feel a warmth spread inside me, something akin to contentment.

"Ruby Red," Caleb begins, his voice a soft rumble in the quiet room, "Thank you for sticking by me. For believing in us. I love you."

I lean my head against his shoulder, feeling the strength and warmth radiating from him. It's been so long since I heard him say the words. "Always," I reply. "As long as you need me, I’m here. I love you too, nothing is going to break this apart." I look down at our hands, clasped together.

His arm wraps around me, pulling me closer. We sit like this, enveloped in each other’s presence, and I realize that this is what I want to hold onto, the simplicity of just being together. All the other shit doesn't matter. Not like it seemed to so much in the past.

We talk some more, letting hours pass by unnoticed, our words punctuated by laughter, sighs, and shared quiet. It feels like mending, like a balm over wounds raw and deep. It’s a salve, soothing and necessary, and I relish every moment.

By the time the stars shine brightly outside our window, we’ve made plans. Plans to set aside more time for us, to rediscover what makes us strong, and to acknowledge the challenges without letting them define us.

With a gentle yawn, Caleb looks at me with sleepy eyes, reminding me of the younger people we both were before we got married. There’s an honesty there now, an openness that reassures me we’re on the right path. We’re reclaiming what matters most—each other.

He leads me to bed, and as we settle beneath the covers, I feel the warmth of his body next to mine, grounding me. The fears and the what-ifs that threatened to drown me earlier now seem like distant echoes.

We lay there, entwined, and sleep finds us, comforted by the promise of tomorrow. I drift off with the sound of his breathing, steady and soft, reminding me that he's still here. We're still together and we'll make it through.

This, I think as I slip into dreams, is what hope feels like. And I hold on to it with everything I am.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

CALEB

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