Page 55 of Codi
“Oh.” A small smile pulls at the corner of Codi’s mouth, self-assured and smooth. “Trust me. I’ll never delete it.”
Ezra grunts, nodding and turning away.
Reagan drives off first, and then the patrol car rolls away and turns the corner.
I look up at Codi in disbelief. “I thought you’d have to leave again. What the hell just happened?”
Codi smiles. “Mrs. Walter and her husband like to throw some pretty wild parties.”
“What kind of parties?”
“The kind that encourages the possession and consumption of illegal substances, including date rape drugs.” Codi shrugs, pulling me into him. “I took a gamble. I guess the odds were stacked in my favor.”
My disbelief melts away into joyous laughter as I embrace him and pull him into a deep kiss. “So... you’re going to stay?”
“Of course I’m going to stay,” Codi replies with a broad grin. “There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.”
Lucas calls from inside the house. “Daddy? I need to go potty!”
Codi shakes his head with a chuckle. “Duty calls.”
“He’s actually calling for you now. Not me,” I tease him. “I could definitely get used to this.”
“Ah, yes.” He heaves a dramatic sigh. “Leaving all the fun jobs to me already, I see.”
I grab a handful of his sleeve and pull him back. “Codi.”
He looks at me curiously. “Hmm?”
“Think you’ll be free around bedtime?”
“Huh, let’s see.” Codi pauses, grinning. “I’ll have to check my busy schedule. Lucas is due for another story, but after that, I think there’s a fairly good chance I’m available.”
I’m grinning so wide my cheeks ache. “When did you get a sense of humor?”
“When I met you,” he replies.
“Daddy!” Lucas calls emphatically.
Codi glances at my hand, still holding his sleeve, and chuckles. “Denise.” He removes my hand, lifts it to his lips, and kisses my knuckles. “I’m not going anywhere.” He adds, “But your son is going to go everywhere if I don’t take care of it.”
Snickering, I finally let him go. “Ourson,” I correct softly as realization sets in, flooding me with warmth and comfort.
Codi is mine. I’m his. My son has both of us. Together.
Codi brightens. “Really?”
I nod, biting back another broad smile. “Really.”
“Daddy!”
Pure joy, unrestrained and genuine, fills Codi’s face. “Our son,” he repeats, disappearing into the hall.
I follow him as our front door swings shut behind me. I’m boundless and triumphant, and free of fear for the very first time.
EPILOGUE
MAY 2069
