Redemption Hills: The Complete Collection

50. Milo

FIFTY

MILO

FOUR MONTHS LATER

The air vibrated with anxiety, and I sat there with my knee bouncing a million miles a minute, sweat slicking down the back of my neck.

It was probably drenching my button-up, but there was no stopping my nerves from spinning out of control.

Held in this excitement and hope and terror.

Tessa curled her hand tighter around mine where we had our hands twined together on her lap. Her heel was bouncing on the floor, her nerves getting the best of her, too.

“We have this, Milo. Don’t ever forget, we’re a great team,” she whispered so quietly that only I could hear.

I glanced at my fiancée.

My life.

My reason.

This family our meaning.

“We are.”

Over the last four months, Tessa and I had started to build our new lives together. We learned each other. Loved each other. Touched and healed those lonely, vacant places we’d each kept locked inside, trusted each other to hold them forever.

She’d encouraged me to finally take that step and start my business—Hendricks Construction.

Sealing our dedication, we’d promised to fight for my kids.

Our kids.

Which was why we were here today.

I didn’t look at Paula and Gene.

This wasn’t about them.

“All rise.”

Apprehension blistered through our beings, riding on the connection, the force of it obliterated by the belief we shared.

Even if we didn’t go home with our kids today, we were certain one day we would.

We would never stop fighting.

Would never stop loving.

We stood as the judge retook her seat at the bench. She gestured for everyone to sit.

Tessa and I eased down together, our hands held so tight I was pretty sure it was constricting blood flow.

The judge sat back in the chair and removed her glasses. “These cases are always difficult because when it comes down to it, it’s a fight over the love of a child, or children in this case. I can’t say that’s a bad thing, that these children are loved so fiercely that both parties will fight for what they believe is in their best interest, but it also causes unwarranted stress and pressure on the children.”

A knot formed in my gut, and Tessa somehow managed to squeeze my hand tighter.

“It’s a stress and pressure that in this case has gone on for too many years. From everything presented to the court prior to this hearing, there is absolutely no evidence to indicate that Mr. Hendricks is unfit to care for his children. It’s the court’s decision to reinstate full custody of Remington and Scout Hendricks to their biological father, Milo Hendricks.”

She hit the gavel on the block and stood.

I flew to my feet right as Tessa threw herself into my arms.

Relief.

Relief.

I held her close, just…breathing.

Fully and wholly for the first time in so many years.

“We did it,” she murmured.

“We did it,” I whispered back.

Warmth spread through my being.

Bold.

Blinding.

Searing perfection.

And I finally knew what it was like to stand in the sun.