“I did too. From the very first day.” She shook her head in disbelief. “If we both felt this way, why didn’t we say anything? Have we always been this bad at communicating?”
“I think it’s the opposite,” Harrison said. “For so long, we’ve been so in tune with each other that everything just came naturally. I never had to wonder what you were thinking. I just seemed to know. And vice versa.”
She nodded. “But something changed. It’s as if the kids hit a certain age and life just got turbocharged, and suddenly, we stopped being in sync with each other.”
He tightened his grip on her waist. “That’s why I’m no longer leaving things up to interpretation, or operating as if we’re both mind readers. I want you to talk to me from now on, Willow. And I’m going to listen. Really listen. I’m not going to just do what I think you want, or what I think is best. I want us to make time to talk to each other, and when we do, we only talk about these two people,” he said, motioning between the two of them. “Deal?”
“That’s a deal,” Willow said. She leaned forward and placed a gentle kiss upon his lips. When she tried to pull away, Harrison closed his hand on the back of her head and held her to him for a few seconds longer, his soft yet firm lips opening over hers. He brought his other hand up to cup her cheek, and gently coaxed her mouth open with his thumb. Willow let him inside, her skin warming as the tip of his tongue tangled playfully with hers.
“Damn, I’ve missed that,” he said when he finally released her lips.
“So, so much,” Willow agreed. She rested her forehead against his, a smile stretching across her lips. “We have a lot of lost time to make up for. I hope you’re ready.”
He sucked in a swift breath. “Have mercy.”
She choked on a laugh.
Harrison sat back, his hands returning to her waist.
“Okay, now that we’ve covered that, it’s time to move on to the next item on the list.”
She arched a brow in inquiry.
“I want you to think back to that night when we all had dinner,” Harrison continued. “What do you wish you could have said that night, instead of talking about the kids?”
Willow’s first instinct was to refute his insinuation that she wouldn’t have wanted to talk about her kids. Those children were her pride and joy. She would never tire of boasting about their accomplishments. It’s what a good mother did.
But she knew that’s not what Harrison was getting at. She challenged herself to be honest about her feelings.
She didn’t have to think too long before answering.
“I wish I could have talked about the hundreds of little girls who once hated science but now love it after attending my weeklong science camp,” she said.
His eyes widened. “A science camp, huh?”
She nodded.
“Only a week long?
“It’s very hands-on, you see. Which requires a small class size. I figure if it’s only a week long, more girls can attend throughout the summer.”
Harrison tipped his head to the side, a contemplative look in his eyes.
“What?” Willow asked.
“Nothing. Just thinking.”
“Just thinking about what?” she prodded.
“I’m just thinking about Brooklyn’s Dynamo Diane comic,” he said. “You read through it, right? You know how it’s Mama who comes to the rescue of a bunch of little girls who’re told they shouldn’t be studying science because they’re girls?”
Willow nodded. “Yes,” she said, wondering if he was thinking what she thought he was thinking.
“Well, maybe there can be some truth to what Brooklyn thought would only be fiction.”
“What are you saying, Harrison?” Her chest tightened with excitement as she anticipated his next words.
“I’m saying maybe we should go bigger when it comes to the foundation. Think about it, Willow. The Diane Holmes Foundation is geared toward encouraging young black girls to major in the sciences. I know the focus now is on helping those going to medical school, but once the foundation is off the ground, maybe we should think about expanding it to help girls get started at a younger age.”
“Oh God, Harrison. Yes. Yes,” she breathed. To honor her beloved mother-in-law’s legacy while also helping young girls discover a love of science would be a dream come to life. “I would love to make this happen through the foundation.”
“We’ll talk to Indina and the guys, but you know they won’t object.”
Willow’s shoulders slumped as reality reared its head. “The only thing is, I’m not sure if I’m qualified to help anybody right now. It’s been a long time since I’ve studied science.”
He shrugged. “So do what people do when they need to learn, go back to school.”
“It’s not that easy, Harrison.”
“Yes, it is, Wills. If this is what you want, if it’s what you think will make you happy—”
“Stop.” She pressed two fingers to his lips. “Let’s clear this up right now. I don’t want you thinking I’ve been miserable all this time, because I haven’t. I know how lucky I am, Harrison. I know there are millions who would kill for the life I’ve been blessed with.” She wrapped her arms around his neck. “I promise you, I am more than happy.”
“I’m not satisfied with you just being happy,” he said. “I want you to wake up every morning fucking euphoric, Willow Holmes.” He connected his lips with hers in a swift kiss. “Go back to school. It’s almost time for Lily to start filling out college applications. You can do it together. It’ll be a mother/daughter bonding exercise.”
Willow threw her head back and laughed. “Walking around a college campus with her mother. Oh, I’m sure Lily would love that.”
“I don’t see why she shouldn’t,” Harrison said. “The only reason she’s even here is because I saw you walking on a college campus and fell instantly in love.”
Just like that, her heart was a puddle on the floor.
“Was it really instant?” Willow asked.
He nodded. “Absolutely. One look and I knew you were the woman I was meant to love and cherish for the rest of my life. And I will, Willow.” He stood and pulled her flush against him. Capturing her cheeks between his palms, he looked into her eyes and said, “No matter what road bumps we hit along the way, I promise to love you for the rest of my natural born life.”
Willow took his hand and brought it to her chest, placing it over her heart. “And I promise to do the same,” she said. “As long as I have breath in me, I promise to love and cherish you for the rest of my life.”
Chapter Twelve
It didn’t matter how hard he tried to keep his smile in check, Harrison still found his lips splitting into a broad, ridiculously huge grin. A tidal wave of emotions washed over him as he turned the corner and, seconds later, pulled into his driveway. He had reason to smile.
He was home.
He collapsed back against the seat, his muscles sagging with relief. He tilted his head back and stared up at the car’s ceiling; this time he didn’t even try to suppress his deep, rumbling laugh. God, it felt good to be home.
His eyes roamed over the house and yard. It wasn’t as if he’d expected anything to change in the five hours since he’d left earlier this afternoon, but it felt different. He felt different. He hadn’t realized just how tense the act of pulling into his own driveway had made him this past year. For the first time in months, he didn’t have knots in his stomach at the thought of walking into his house.
He looked over at the dinged up garage door he’d been meaning to replace. He’d considered its dents, courtesy of one too many basketballs bouncing off it, to be an eyesore. They weren’t. Those dents told a story. Each one signified a snippet of his son’s childhood.
Those dents were going to hang around a while longer. He and Athens still had many more games to play in this driveway. There was so damn much he had to look forward to in this house. He couldn’t wait to get started.
&
nbsp; Just as he opened his car door, the front door of the house opened and Athens ran outside, with Liliana and Willow following behind. Harrison’s heart expanded to the point where he could barely pull air into his lungs. How had he survived all these weeks without them?
He got out of the car and was nearly tackled to the ground by his son. He returned the bear hug, then tucked Athens in the crook of his arm and rubbed his head.
“How’s it going, li’l man?”
“Mom says you’re moving back!” Athens said, looking up at him.
Harrison hitched his head toward the trunk. “My suitcases are in the back.”
“Yes!” Athens pumped his fists in the air. He slid his head out from under Harrison’s hold and performed the silly touchdown dance he’d been trying to perfect for months now. Unfortunately, his son took after his father when it came to his dance moves.
Harrison peered over at the door and caught Lily regarding him, a hint of skepticism in her cautious stare. She’d long ago lost the guileless, childhood optimism her brother still possessed, but Harrison wanted to allay her suspicions and reassure her that he was indeed home to stay.
He climbed the steps and wrapped his arms around her. “How’re you doing, baby girl?”
“I’m okay,” she murmured against his chest. “Daddy, you’re squeezing me too tight.”
“I know,” Harrison said. “I’ll let go. Eventually.” He released her a second later, but captured her shoulders in his hands and stooped down just a bit so he could look her in the eyes. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
She nodded. “I am. I spent the afternoon at Amina’s looking up schools. I found one on the Westbank that I think I can get into.”
His eyes widened as he looked over Lily’s head at Willow. His wife nodded and gestured toward the house. “We were just on the computer looking at the school’s website. It’ll be a bit of a drive, which means she’ll have to get up at least an hour earlier every morning.” She looked pointedly at Lily. “But if they admit her, we’ll make it work.”
He and Willow hadn’t yet discussed whether or not to still give Lily the car they’d planned to buy her for her sixteenth birthday, which was just a few weeks away. As far as Harrison was concerned, this one mistake—despite the enormity of it—shouldn’t change their plans. In the grand scheme of things, Lily had been a dream child over these sixteen years. She deserved that car.
But it wasn’t his call alone. This was a decision both he and his wife would make together.
His wife. God, he was back with his wife!
Just the thought sent a crush of gratifying warmth crashing through him. He released Lily’s shoulders and walked over to Willow. Capturing her chin between his fingers, he placed a faint, simple kiss upon her mouth. He heard Lily’s loud groan behind him and smiled against his wife’s lips.
“Welcome home,” Willow said, a teasing laugh dancing in her eyes.
“Thank you. It’s good to be back.” Harrison hitched his head toward the front door. “Let’s go inside before the neighbors start poking their heads out. They’re all probably trying to figure out what’s going on.”
“Yes, I expect questions at the next Neighborhood Association meeting,” Willow said. She looked over at Athens. “You, sir, have homework to do. Don’t think I forgot about that in all the excitement. And you, ma’am,” she directed at Lily. “You need to start working on the essay for the school’s application.” She looked to Harrison. “I’m pretty sure your application for law school was easier than the application for this high school.”
“But it’s so cool,” Lily said as she led them all inside. “They have a Future Astrophysicists club. And their drama club takes two trips to New York each year. And their Languages Club traveled to China over the summer.”
China? Harrison mouthed over her head.
Willow hunched her shoulders, amusement still sparkling in her brown eyes. The sight left him breathless. He loved this woman so damn much.
Harrison spent some time listening to Athens explain the newest comic books he’d bought with his leftover birthday money before insisting he start his homework. He then dropped in on Lily, and together they read through the application for the small, private high school she hoped to attend.
Once the kids were settled in their rooms, Harrison joined Willow in the kitchen, where the pungent aromas of tomato, garlic, and oregano signaled one of his favorite dishes.
“You’re making lasagna,” he said, coming up behind her and placing a kiss on that spot behind her ear that he loved even more than lasagna.
“I figured it was a fitting welcome home meal. A little something to remind us of our time in Italy.” She gestured toward the oven. “There’s garlic bread too.”
Harrison moaned with pleasure, although their upcoming meal had little to do with it. Every drop of the pleasure currently flowing through his veins had everything to do with the woman whose body stood flush against his.
He reached around her and took the salad bowl from her hands. “I can handle this,” he said. “Why don’t you open up a bottle of some of that wine you brought back from Rome and pour us each a glass?” He stopped. “On second thought, just pour a glass for yourself for now. I’ll have my one glass with dinner.”
She laughed as she slid the bottle from the built-in wine rack.
“Did you have a chance to talk with Jonathan?” she asked. “Is he okay with you working less hours?”
“One hundred percent,” Harrison said.
As soon as he’d arrived back at the office this afternoon, he’d had a heart-to-heart with Jonathan about the time he’d been putting in at the law practice. Harrison had to admit that most of his work-related stress had been self-inflicted. Jonathan didn’t pressure him to keep long hours; he’d made those decisions on his own.
But they’d talked about potentially expanding the law practice in the near future. If they followed through on those plans, it would likely require he work even more hours. That was something Harrison just wasn’t willing to sacrifice anymore.
Jonathan assured him that if more man hours were needed, he would be the one to put in the work. Apparently, he had the time now that he’d broken things off with his latest girlfriend. It had been on the tip of Harrison’s tongue to offer some of that unsolicited advice his law partner had volunteered earlier today, but he doubted Jonathan was ready to hear what Harrison thought about his numerous failed attempts to extricate himself from the memories of his ex-fiancée. The man would find his way to happiness. Eventually.
“Hey, can you grab the Romano cheese from the refrigerator?” Willow asked as she poured wine into her glass.
“Isn’t it too early to add cheese shavings to the salad?” he asked on his way to the fridge.
“Who said anything about the salad? I want it to go with my wine.”
He laughed as he opened the door and reached for the wedge of hard cheese. The footed bowl they’d gotten as a wedding gift seventeen years ago stood on the shelf next to it. It was layered with fruit, some kind of spongey cake and whipped cream.
“What’s the occasion for the fancy dessert?” Harrison asked.
“Oh, that’s a surprise for Athens,” Willow said. “Just after you left, Dr. Fudge’s office called. His test results came back. He’s no longer in the pre-diabetic range.”
Harrison whipped around, his eyes wide. “Thank God,” he said. He walked over to Willow and wrapped his arms around her. “Thank God, thank God, thank God.” He was seconds from tearing up and he refused to feel ashamed.
“I know,” Willow said, tightening her hold on him.
“You did this, Wills. You made this happen. You’ve been so diligent, helping him to get better.”
She shook her head. “Nope. We both did this.” She leaned back, her arms still around his waist. “We make a good team.”
“Yes, we do.” He kissed her on the nose. Just as he was about to release her, a thought occurred to him. Harrison frowned. “So,
are we sure having dessert tonight is smart? Isn’t it reinforcing the kind of bad habits we want the kids to avoid?”
“It was actually Dr. Fudge’s suggestion that we celebrate with a healthy dessert. That way, we can show Athens that he doesn’t have to give up everything good in order to eat healthy. It’s berries, angel food cake, and light whipped cream. And it tastes amazing.”
Harrison nodded his understanding. “Makes sense. I should know better than to question you.”
“But that’s what we’re doing from now on, remember?” She pinched his butt. “It’s called communicating.”
Harrison huffed out a relieved laugh. “I’m just so damn happy he’s going to be okay.”
“We all will,” Willow said. She tipped her head back, her eyes brimming with adoration and hope. “Now that you’re home, everything is going to be okay.”
Then she connected her lips with his. It felt like home.
“Mrs. Holmes, do you have any additional forms for the silent auction?”
Willow looked up at the young man dressed as Spiderman. “I’m sorry?” she said.
“The silent auction? We’ve once again run out of forms for the auction item pertaining to Ms. Jordan. Guests are getting a bit restless.”
“Have you seen Catwoman walking around anywhere?” Willow asked. “That’s my sister-in-law, Indina. She said the event coordinator was going to get someone in the business center to make copies of the form.”
Willow peered around the room packed with costumed guests, searching for her sister-in-law. The organized chaos of the past two hours had been enough to send them all running from the ballroom at the Windsor Court Hotel, but there would be no escaping tonight, not with the amount of money they were raising for the start of the Diane Holmes Foundation.
The silent auction alone had already raised more than Willow had anticipated they’d make for the entire gala, thanks in no small part to a surprise donation from R&B sensation Aria Jordan. The singer, whom Harrison’s cousin Toby had discovered in a local club years ago and whose career he still managed, had donated dinner for twelve at one of the city’s top restaurants, along with a private concert. When word got out on social media about the auction item, people who weren’t even in attendance began calling in to place their bids.
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