Page 114 of The Prodigal Son

“Heavenly Father, we thank you for the blessing of this meal and for bringing this family together. Tonight is especiallymeaningful as they gather for the first time in so long, with hearts full of joy for the safe return of Isaac. Bless this food that was so beautifully prepared by Melanie. May we always cherish these times and remember those who are not with us tonight. Amen.”

“Amen,” Isaac mumbles at my side before the rest of the family joins in. He’s staring at me as if he’s noticing something for the first time. He doesn’t seem put off or uncomfortable, which is a relief. I know it can be jarring to see someone in their element for the first time.

“That was beautiful,” Melanie says from the head of the table.

“Thank you,” I reply softly.

As we eat, I glance around the table at Isaac’s family. I see so much love at this table, but I see pain, too. I can only imagine what they’ve endured these past few years. Now, Isaac is here, and they are one step closer to being whole again.

Everyone makes casual conversation, and it feels so normal. This is exactly what Isaac needs. The family he deserves.

Thirty-Three

Isaac

Sitting in the back seat, Jensen’s hand is in mine, and I feel on top of the world. Even without seeing Adam, which I’ll admit was the one I was most anticipating, I’m at peace. It’s like there’s an entire part of me that can relax for the first time in over a decade.

Leaning my head against the seat, I stare at Jensen beside me. Even though I can see the tension he’s trying to hide, I’m grateful he was with me. I would have hated walking in that door alone.

I just hope I wasn’t asking too much of him, calling him my boyfriend. To beout, even if not publicly. It’s still a scary thing for people to know something you’ve held locked in for your entire life. I should know.

But my situation is a little different than his. His scars run deeper than mine. Sometimes, I worry that his beingoutwon’t be as liberating as it should be. I’m afraid that the conditioning his mother subjected him to will ruin that monumental occasion for him.

He should only feel love and acceptance, but I’m worried he won’t. I’m worried they’ve rewired his brain to only feel shame and guilt instead.

I squeeze his hand tighter in mine as if I can hold him here with me—like he might float away on a breeze if I don’t.

When we reach my house, I look at him with nervous anticipation. I want him to come in.Obviously, I want him to come in. But if he doesn’t want to risk it, I understand. But that nervous kid inside me doesn’t want to appear too vulnerable or eager.

Luke pulls up the long driveway in front of my house. “Will you stay?” I whisper with Henry sleeping in his car seat between us.

Jensen’s dark eyes shimmer in the moonlight as a gentle smile causes them to narrow. “Of course.”

My heart leaps with gratitude as he and I climb out together. We take turns hugging Sadie and Luke good night.

Then Jensen and I walk into my house and straight up to my room. I think he knows I don’t really want to talk much about how tonight went. It’s something I can revisit later, but it was all so heavy that I don’t want to hash it out or refeel it all. I just want to bask in this newfound peace.

Everything feels right.

We take turns showering, and when I come out, I find him lying on my bed in nothing but a pair ofmyboxer briefs. Stopping in the doorway, I dry my hair with a towel as I gawk at him like a drooling teenager.

He sets his phone down. “I stole a pair of your underwear.”

“Please explain to me why that’s so hot,” I say, tossing my towel in the hamper.

“I think,” he says with a sexy smirk as he puts his hands behind his head and leans against the pillow. “Because it means I’m yours.”

I don’t bother putting on any underwear as I climb onto the bed, straddling his thick thighs. “That must be it.”

When we’re alone like this and Jensen can just be himself, it’s like I get a better version of him. Like he’s all mine. And I wish I could keep him here forever.

But our time is limited. It’salwayslimited.

That nagging worry deep in my gut threatens to ruin our evening, so I ignore it.

“Speaking of sexy…” I say, leaning down to kiss his stomach. “Listening to you say grace at dinner was criminally hot.”

“Isaac,” he says with a laugh as I work my lips up to his pecs. “There is nothing hot about that.”

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