116. Maddox

ONE HUNDRED SIXTEEN

Holding her against me, I drop my head to her shoulder.

She loves me.

I breathe.

For what feels like the first time in forever, I just breathe.

"You kept a piece of me," I tell her, with my lips against her neck. "You kept a piece of me all those years ago, and I didn't realize it. I couldn't figure out what was missing. But you just gave it back to me." I lower her feet to the ground so I can look at her. "Your love makes me whole."

Tears drop from her lower lashes as she grabs my hand and presses it over her heart. "You kept a piece of my heart too. But I think we were just holding on to them for each other. They wouldn't have fit, not back then. But they do now."

My throat tightens. "I missed you so much."

"So much." Hannah lets out a watery hiccup. "Too much."

"I wish you'd told me." I lower my forehead to hers. "You're not alone anymore, Hannah. You don't have to fix everything by yourself."

I feel her body hitch as she takes a choppy breath. "I wish I'd told you too. I'm sorry—"

I shake my head against hers. "No more apologizing. Just from now on, you share your problems with me." I feel her nod, but it's not enough. "Promise?"

"Promise."

Taking a deep breath, I stand and look up to where Ruth and Chelsea are standing on the front porch watching us. "I'm taking Hannah home with me now. I'd like you both to join us for dinner."

Ruth nods, wiping at her cheeks.