Page 226 of Marked

Laughing, we turned to face JC and Ollie as they came forward, our reunion mostly complete.

“Let’s get you guys home,” JC said. “I think you all deserve it.”

Mom and Dad walked hand in hand, and Gael took my father’s other hand. I followed behind, leaning against Nate. The cold and blustery day didn’t feel so bad anymore. In fact, I couldn’t think of a day that had ever been so beautiful, so amazing.

For the first time in my life, my family was whole. My personal pack was whole. With Nate by my side, and a mother and father and brother, my life was exactly what I wanted it to be. Happy, healthy, and healed.

As we exited the train station, I looked up to the sky and smiled, excited about the future and all the love that would come with it.

At the car, Nate looked at me and grinned. “Ready to go?”

“Absolutely,” I answered.