“Yes, Your Honour?”
“Sometimes life gives you a second chance. And you seem to be making good use of it. Keep it up.”
“I will, Your Honour. Thank you very much.”
The kids pounce on Seth, almost knocking him to the ground.
“You mean no one’s going to take us away?” Emily asks, in Seth’s arms.
“No one, sweetheart.”
Mason breaks away from his uncle and siblings and comes over to me.
“You did it. You kept your promise.”
I nod. Emotion cuts through my voice.
Mason throws himself at me and hugs me tightly. “Thank you.”
“All right, all right.”
Mason lets me go and joins his siblings. Seth asks the kids to give us a minute and they leave with the others.
“What did you do…” Seth puts a hand to his mouth. “I don’t know what to say.”
“Tell me you believe me.” I take a step towards him. “Tell me you forgive me.” Another step, my hand brushes across his face. “Tell me you love me. Because I… I love you so damn much.”
His eyes shine brighter than ever.
“Yes, all three.”
“God, thank you!”
I pull him to me and kiss him immediately. “I’ve missed you so much.”
“I’ve missed you too.”
“Please let me come home. I want to be with you. I want… I want…”
“Do you want to be part of the family?”
“Only if you want me. I don’t want to impose my presence and…” Seth rises on his toes, grabs my jacket and kisses me. The taste of his tears mixes with the warmth of his mouth.
“Was that a yes by any chance?”
“It was, Mr Kennedy.”
I hold him close and breathe in his scent, as if afraid it will fade from my lungs and my mind.
“You succeeded.” Seth slowly releases our embrace. “I don't know what… You were great, and the things you said…”
“They were only the truth. I swear.”
“You could feel that they were sincere, that they came from your heart.”
“You inspired me.”
“That’s not true…”
