Milan's Return

by Grae Lily

  “Daddy! Daddy!” Milan's heart skipped a beat every time his little girl called his name.

  He knelt down, holding his arms out for her. “Come here, sweetheart. Come here.”

  Sophia jumped into his arms, showering him with kisses.

  Sarah jogged up behind her. “She's getting too fast for these tired bones.”

  “Nothing to worry about, Sarah. I'm just thrilled that you agreed to stay and help raise another Merced child.” He winked at Sarah, lifting Sophia into the air.

  “Oh, you couldn't pay me to leave. I'm afraid the three of you are stuck with me.” Sarah wrapped an arm around Johanna's waist. “I always knew he'd be a great father someday.”

  Johanna looked at her small family – the only real family she's ever had – and beamed with pride. A lot had happened in a relatively short amount of time and she couldn't be more thrilled. It took some time for Milan to heal and for all of the fences to be mended, but life found a way to put itself back together. Now, it looked nothing like it ever had and that's exactly how everyone needed it to be.

  With all of the battles that had to be fought and all of the hurdles that needed to be jumped over, somehow they survived and now thrived. In the end, all that they each thought they were running from was running to them. Milan's return to River's Bend brought him closer to the man he was always meant to be and to those who would love him through to the end.

  “Are my girls ready for the surprise?” Milan smiled at Johanna and Sarah.

  Johanna clasped her hands together, excited to hear that the job was now complete.

  “Yes! I can't wait any more.” She squealed. “It's taken so long, I wouldn't be able to last another day.” Milan led the trio around to the back of the house and pointed to where the tunnel and the outbuilding once stood. Tears welled in Johanna's eyes. She knew how much this project meant to him. “Gorgeous.”

  Sarah gasped. She never imagined that it could look this beautiful. Where the tunnel once stood was now a small walking bridge, providing a path over the creek that still ran behind the house. The old, wrought iron fence that separated the manor from the tunnel had been replaced with new fencing to keep Sophia safe.

  “The landscapers did a beautiful job!” Sarah walked to the fence to look at their handiwork.

  “Yes, Tuck and the team from the cemetery really do good work. I'm glad you talked me into hiring them.” Milan answered, remembering what a struggle it had been for him to let go of the anger he once held and finally listen to reason.

  After having a face-to-face talk with Tuck, he came to understand that Tuck's interest in Paulina and the house was more out of wanting to preserve the manor as it once had been. Milan had no idea that Tuck had so much interest in old structures and bringing them back to life. Tuck admitted having a crush on Paulina, but never meant any harm. Milan was glad they'd settled their differences and moved forward.

  “At least, it gave that boy of his something to do to keep himself out of trouble. Has he paid you back for all of the property damage yet?” Sarah asked Milan.

  “Not quite. Tuck and I decided that Ned's yard could use some sprucing up. After that, we'll call it even.” Milan winked at her.

  Johanna took Sophia out of Milan's arms and walked out of the backyard out to the new gardens. She looked back at Milan, reading apprehension on his face.

  “Aren't you going to come look?” Johanna asked him.

  Sarah hesitated, waiting to see if Milan was ready to take the next step. She watched his hands as he clenched them, then, released after a few seconds and made his way toward his family, pausing to look back at Sarah. She swallowed the lump in her throat, feeling more proud of him than she'd ever felt before. He'd crossed a threshold she thought he'd never cross and finally welcomed love and family back into his life again.

  More Titles By Grae Lily

  The Blood Covet Series order:

  Dark Thirst

  Blood Thirst

  Cold Thirst

  Series available here: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=series_rw_dp_labf?_encoding=UTF8&field-collection=The Blood Covet Series&url=search-alias=digital-text

  http://amazon.com/author/graelily

  Novel Coming Soon:

  November's Calling – To be released August 15, 2015

  If you enjoyed this title, please, leave an honest review on Amazon and/or Goodreads. Thank you for your purchase!

  Connect with me on Facebook:

  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Grae-Lily/1527530184185267

  Join my mailing list:

  http://eepurl.com/_QBST