The Journey Home

“For Christ’s sake! Why do you guys scream like that?” Jack said, shaking his head. He wrapped Cale in a bear hug before slapping him on the back. “Congratulations, dude. I’m happy for y’all.”

“Thanks, Jack. I appreciate it,” Cale said as Monica hugged Jack.

Monica took a step back and smiled at me. “Have y’all talked about a date at all?”

I peeked over toward Jack and raised my eyebrow. “Well, we were kind of hoping to have the ceremony the week after Lily turns one, at your parents’ place, Jack. You know, take it back to the beginning.”

I glanced over to Cale and he was smiling from ear to ear. I knew he thought the idea of having the wedding there was perfect, and that just made me all the happier.

“That’s a wonderful idea.” Jack said.

“Oh Maddie! How romantic, honey. I can’t wait to start planning it!” Monica jumped up and down. “Lily can be the flower girl!”

I let out a little scream and began jumping, too. Finally Jack pulled Monica away from me and they headed to the front door. “Come on, baby—we have some serious making up to do.”

Jack picked up Monica, threw her over his shoulders, and slapped her on the ass.

Monica waved at Cale and me, then gave us two thumbs up and said, “Have fun celebrating!” She laughed as she and Jack made their way out the door.

Cale locked the door behind them and leaned against it.

“Wow. That was emotionally draining,” he said.

I nodded. “It really was.”

I glanced at the clock—it was after midnight. I pulled the T-shirt I was wearing up and over my head as I made my way to our bedroom. Cale’s eyes lit up with desire as he followed me. I unclasped my bra and let it fall to the ground as Cale moaned. I slowly pushed my sweats off and stopped only long enough to kick them to the side. I was so glad I’d put on my new, black lace boy shorts. I might as well not have had panties on—they were totally see-through.

“Maddie, you turn me on with just your innocent smile, but this? This makes me want you, baby. So. Damn. Much.

I smiled and ran my tongue across my teeth as I sashayed into our bedroom. I could hear Cale right behind me. He turned me around and walked me back against the wall.

“Do you know how much you drive me wild?”

I shook my head. “I think you should show me.”

It didn’t take long for both of us to call each other’s names out in pleasure. In bed, Cale pulled me up against him as he drifted off to sleep. I lightly moved my finger in a circle on the top of his hand as I listened to his breathing. I glanced at my engagement ring and smiled.

Finally. I felt like I was home.

“CAN I HELP you, sir?”

I turned to see an older sales lady smiling at me. I glanced back down to the jewelry case. “Um, I’m looking to have something made for my fiancée for Valentine’s Day. I also would like something for my daughter.”

She smiled bigger. “How old is your daughter?”

“Seven months old,” I said with a proud daddy smile.

She chuckled. “I believe I can help you with your fiancée, but your daughter may be a little young.”

I laughed. “I was thinking of starting a charm bracelet for her. I was going to give Maddie, my fiancée, both gifts to open.”

“Did you have an idea of what you would like to get Maddie?”

I nodded. I reached into my pocket and pulled out the small bag. I set it on the counter and watched as she stared at it. “I’d like to have a necklace made with this in it.”

She looked into my eyes and grinned. “Sand and tiny seashells? I take it the beach has a significant meaning for you?”

“Yes, ma’am, it does. I was thinking a small glass container with this inside of it. Do you think she’ll like that?”

The woman picked up the bag and examined it. “I think this is one of the most romantic things anyone has done since I’ve started working here. I think I just fell in love with you.”

I threw my head back and laughed. “I’ll take that as yes.”

“Yes. She is going to love it.”

I opened the piece of paper that I’d drawn on at work with the help of James, Maddie’s father. He’d left his wife, Nancy, almost a month ago, and I’d never seen a man so happy in my entire life. When he’d seen me doodling in my office, he’d asked what I was doing, then sat down and helped.

“We can certainly make this custom piece for you. Now, lets discuss your daughter. Did you have a charm in mind that you wanted for her first charm?”

“Yes,” I said, placing of the paper down. The saleslady picked it up as I said, “I was wanting this all to be white gold.”

She looked up at me. “There are two drawings on here.”

I nodded. “The first one is a crown, because Lily is my princess and always will be. The second one is an idea I had for a Mother’s Day gift for Maddie.” I pointed to my drawing. “That is a mother and father bird sitting on a branch. The small charm dangling down is a baby bird. I’d want the branch to be big enough to add one, maybe two other baby birds. Then the rest of the bracelet will be a charm bracelet for Maddie that I can add to each Mother’s Day.” I smiled at the saleslady. “So I guess I want three pieces made. I’ll just hang onto Maddie’s charm bracelet until Mother’s Day.”

The saleslady glanced back down and looked at my drawing. “You designed this?”

I shrugged. “Well, Maddie’s dad, who happens to be my boss, helped me with it.”

“I’ve…it’s just…this is so sweet.”

I grinned, nodding. “I hope she thinks so. She loves birds. I’m hoping she’ll like it.”

She smiled bigger and nodded. “Oh, she will. Excuse me for a moment while I run to the back and talk to the master jeweler.”

I stood at the counter and waited for her to return when I felt a hand on my arm. I turned to see Monica.

“Tell me you’re buying something for my best friend and I won’t be forced to kick you in the balls and take pleasure in the pain on your face.”

I was stunned into silence. Monica placed her hands on her hip and looked at me like she was my mother, waiting for me to confess what I had done wrong.

The saleslady returned. “Well, it looks like the jeweler can make both of Maddie’s gifts, as well as the charm for your daughter.”

“That’s wonderful,” I said. “Can he have the two done in time for Valentine’s Day?” I asked as Monica patiently stood there, eavesdropping.

She nodded and gave me a thumbs-up. “He loved the idea of custom work and said he would start as soon as possible to get these done by the end of the week. But we would have to charge extra for rushing them.”

I shook the saleslady’s hand. “That’s completely fine, I understand. You have no idea how happy this makes me.”

She slid a piece of paper across the counter and I filled it out as she took the sand and seashells and placed them, along with the drawings, inside a large, clear envelope. She stapled the receipt to the bag and gave me a copy.

“Be sure to leave a good contact number so that we can notify you when these are ready to be picked up.”

I slid the paper back to her, thanked her and turned to Monica. She was trying like hell not to smile. “Have coffee with me?” I asked as she smirked.

“You’re lucky I like you,” she said. “Come on, there is a new, darling little coffee shop that just opened around the corner.”

I followed Monica out the door. We walked along in silence until we reached the coffee shop. I ordered a black coffee while Monica ordered a green tea.

“Cale?” Monica asked as we stood in line waiting for our order.

“Yeah?” I turned to look at her. She had tears in her eyes and I felt my heart drop. “What happened? Monica, what’s wrong?”

The one tear that quickly escaped her eye had me wanting to track down Jack and beat his ass. If he’d hurt her again, I was going to kill him. Monica and I b

oth startled when the girl behind the counter screamed our names. “Find us a seat,” I said to Monica, “and I’ll grab these.”

Monica found a seat and sat down as she wiped tears from her eyes. A million terrible things were running through my mind.

I set her tea down and smiled weakly at her as I sat down. She looked away and closed her eyes. When she turned back to me, her tears were falling freely. I reached across the table and took her hand in mine.

“Who do I have to kill?”

She let out a chuckle. “No one. I’m sorry. I don’t know why I can’t keep my feelings under control. It’s just, well, I just can’t believe it. I mean…”

She was beginning to talk in circles. “Monica, take a deep breath and let it out. I can’t understand a damn thing you’re saying.”

Monica took a deep breath. “Cale, you can’t tell anyone. I mean no one. If you do I’ll hang you from a tree by your nuts and take a baseball bat and beat you like a piñata.”

I leaned back some and frowned. “Um…I’m not sure I really want to know now, Monica.”

She grabbed my hands, pulling me closer. “Do you swear to keep this between us? I’m freaking the hell out. I’m experiencing emotions I’ve never experienced before. Do. You. Swear?”

I nodded. I wasn’t sure if I feared for my life, or if now I was just curious as hell about what had her acting like this.