Drake gasps. “Jesus Christ, Mad.”
Our youngest brother shrugs. “I heard what happened. Figured you might need a hug.”
“Fuck yeah, I need a hug.” We both move at the same time, crossing the room and clashing in the middle, a mess of arms and shoulders as we grab onto each other. He smells of fresh air, peppermint, coffee.
“I’m sorry, bro.” He bands his powerful arms around my back. “Elijah told me what happened, and it sucks.”
I pull his face into my shoulder. “I’m so fucking happy to see you.” It’s been four years since Maddox walked out of this house with a promise that he’d never come back.
“Hey. He’s not the only one who’s missed you,” Drake says, and I let Maddox go so the others can greet him.
I’m gawking at him when Mel curls her slender fingers through mine. “Is this your baby brother?”
“Yeah.” I smile down at her.
“Is this the lady I’ve heard so much about?” Maddox asks, coming to stand in front of us.
“This is my wife, Mel.”
“Mel.” He pulls something out of his pocket. “I got this for you. It was blessed by a shaman. It’s for fertility.” He hands her a small wooden carving of the female form.
She takes it from him and holds it to her chest. “That’s so sweet of you. Thank you, Maddox.”
“Son?” our father croaks.
Maddox licks his lips, his dark brown eyes full of sadness or maybe regret. “Hey, Pop.”
“I really like staying here.” Mel drapes her thigh over me and presses her body against mine. “It’s so lovely seeing you with your dad and brothers.”
I trace my fingertips up and down her spine. “I like seeing you with them too, corazón.”
“And it was wonderful to meet Maddox.”
I pull her tight, pressing a kiss on top of her head. Having Maddox home is the cherry on top of this already incredible day. Nothing could be better than waking up with my wife in my arms, having my ring on her finger, waffles with her and Drake, all rounded off with dinner with all the people I love most in the world. “I’m glad you two hit it off.”
“He’s so interesting. He has so many stories.”
Yeah, you don’t know the half of it. I keep that thought to myself. Not my stories to tell.
“And your dad was so happy to have him home.”
“Yeah, we all are.”
She yawns and snuggles into me. “I love you, Ice.”
My heart feels like it’s about to burst. “I love you too, Spitfire.”
A little while later, Mel’s breathing evens out, and I roll her off me and climb out of bed. It’s unusual for me to struggle with sleep while she’s next to me, but my mind won’t stop racing with old memories. My brothers and me as kids. My parents hugging and kissing and laughing, so in love with each other. My mom’s death. Maddox leaving.
I pull on a pair of sweatpants and walk over to the window, peering out into the darkness. Sorrow overwhelms me at the sight of my father sitting on the bench where he spent so many summer evenings with my mother. Seeing him there, all alone in the cold, has me pulling on a hoodie and sneakers and leaving my sleeping wife.
Cold air hits me like a wave of icy water when I step outside, and I head over to Dad and take a seat beside him. “What are you doing out here in the middle of the night? You’ll freeze your ass off.”
He tilts his face up to the night sky. “Just wanted some air.”
“You okay?”
He closes his eyes and smiles. “Better than okay, son.”
“It’s good to have Maddox home.”
His Adam’s apple bobs. “It’s better than good. I thought I might never see him again.”
I squeeze his shoulder. “I know, Dad.”
He turns to face me, his eyes wet with tears. “Him coming home, you and Mel back on track … It’s been a good day.”
I lean back against the bench. “Yeah, it sure has.”
“You love her, son?”
“With everything I have.”
He pats my thigh. “I’m happy for you both.”
“You’re not mad I didn’t follow your advice? To never fall in love?”
