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And somehow, that made Ash’s heart hurt even more. He half sat up, pulled Bri into his lap, and hugged her tightly as he cried. Once or twice, he mumbled some apology to Cass, who told him it was okay to cry, and once or twice, Bri pulled back, said “Shh, shh, shh” in the cutest darn way, and then wrapped both of her arms back around his neck and hugged him again.

More time passed. Ash’s tears slowed, finally, and Bri gave him another kiss on the cheek before asking him, “Ah beh-uh?”

He wasn’t. He wasn’t sure if he’d ever be. But he’d needed that—the hugs, the tears, finally letting go at a moment when he felt both seen and safe—and so he nodded.

“A lot better. Thank you so much, sweet girl,” he said, and he wiped his cheeks and face with his free hand as Bri smiled up at him, then left to go play with her puzzle again.

Ash carefully pushed himself to his feet and promptly collapsed onto his back on his bed. He let out a long, slow breath and then laughed humorlessly.

“Still sure you want to see me after Thanksgiving? Maybe you should get out while you have the chance,” he said, covering his eyes with his free arm.

“I only wish I was there with you right now, so I could help you through this better,” Cass said quietly. The sincerity in his voice sent a rush of something through Ash’s chest. Guilt and shame, maybe, but tinged with something not so awful. Something like acceptance.

He rubbed his eyes and turned over onto his side so he was facing Bri. Then he watched her for a few seconds, marveling at how perfect she was. He took several slow breaths in and out before closing his eyes again.

“I wish you were here, too.”

Ash (Friday, November 25, 2022 – 1:08 p.m.): We just boarded. Bri has a window seat again and is very, very excited about that. See you soon

Chapter Thirty

Cass

Cass rocked back and forth on the balls of his feet, waiting not-so-patiently near the baggage claim area just inside the double doors of Redding Regional Airport. He’d gotten there early, which totally hadn’t been necessary; the airport was only a ten-minute drive from his house and was tiny—there wasn’t any traffic or airport terminal congestion to speak of. But he’d been too anxious to sit at home waiting any longer.

According to the flight information tracker up on the wall, Ash’s plane had landed a few minutes ago. Some passengers had started to filter out in his direction, and Cass tried to rein in his eagerness with a slow, steadying breath as he scanned the small crowd.

It was several more minutes, however, before he spotted them—Ash completely loaded down with Bri’s car seat and diaper bag and a small purple backpack slung over one shoulder, and Bri bouncing next to him, holding his hand and looking positively adorable in a pink-and-blue-polka-dotted sweater with matching leggings.

As soon as their eyes met, Ash’s smile widened, and a rush of warmth spread through Cass’s chest. His feet moved of their own accord, and he met them both where a row of seats ended at the single baggage-return carousel.

“Cass! Cass!” Bri squealed, jumping up and down and reaching for him.

Ash shook his head with a weak laugh and let go of Bri’s hand.

The child launched herself at him, and Cass knelt down just in time to scoop her up. “Bri, it’s so good to see you again!” he said, spinning her around in a circle before settling her on his hip.

“See you! Cass!”

He grinned and then glanced over at Ash, who was setting down the car seat and diaper bag. His movements looked stiff, or maybe just very deliberate and measured, and the smile on his face seemed tighter than it had a second ago. When Ash lifted his eyes again and straightened up, Cass’s heart stumbled, and heat rose in his cheeks.

He’d been waiting for this moment for what seemed like forever. Picturing it, almost exactly like this, really. And now that it was here—now that Ash was here—it almost didn’t seem real.

He smiled softly. “Hey,” he said, his voice definitely coming out deeper than he’d intended it to.

Ash held his gaze and didn’t say anything for several seconds, then he dipped his chin. “Hey.”

“Un-ca Ash see Cass!”

Ash’s face turned bright red, and he shook his head as he reached up to rub the back of his neck. “Yeah, baby girl, we’re here to see Cass,” he said.

Bri squealed with delight, which made Cass’s grin grow even more. He shifted her a bit on his hip.

“You have luggage, yeah?”

“Yeah, just one bag.”

Cass nodded. “They’re usually pretty quick here. It should be out any minute.”