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Maggie sank onto the sofa in her living room, exhaustion seeping into her bones. To say the day had been draining was the understatement of the year. The annoying fender bender this morning seemed like a distant memory.
Except the accident didn’t happen today. It was yesterday.
They’d spend hours at the hospital. First having her cut stitched and bandaged, then getting Todd admitted for treatment. Finally, she’d spent hours endlessly recounting her statement to police. By the time Will drove her home, the sun had come up.
She pressed her palms into her eyes, trying to rub away the pounding ache behind them.
At least Todd would get help now.
Maggie took a shaky breath, willing herself not to spiral down the what if hole again. If only she’d chosen a different psychiatrist or seen the signs sooner. Gotten Todd proper care before Fischer sank his claws in. Before the doctor used her brother as an unwitting pawn in his gruesome game.
The creak of footsteps on hardwood pulled Maggie from her thoughts. Will stepped into the living room holding two mugs. The scent of peppermint tea filled the space between them as he offered her a cup.
“Thought this might help settle your nerves.”
A faint warmth blossomed in her chest. Only Will understood her so completely. He’d witnessed firsthand the destruction left by Fischer. Knew this case would haunt her dreams too.
“You’re too good to me.” Maggie accepted the tea, letting the heat seep into her chilled fingers. The ceramic smoothed the rawness of her frayed emotions. “Thank you, Will.”
He settled on the couch beside her. Close, solid. An anchor in her unmoored world.
She loved the worry lines etched around his eyes at odds with that tender smile she adored.
Will’s gaze traveled the room with a faraway look she couldn’t interpret. Lingering on the pale mark where a tiny hand once was imprinted on the wall. The photo of three grinning faces framed on the shelf.
She fixated on the door frame where hash marks climbed in uneven heights, marking the growth of a beloved little boy now forever frozen at four years old. Maggie’s heart constricted.
“I never repainted over his marks.” Emotion clogged her throat. “Couldn’t stand the thought of erasing any piece of him. Silly I guess.”
“No.” Will’s jaw hardened, a crease between his brows. “It’s a comforting reminder. Keeps his memory alive.”
Will clasped his hands, glancing down.
Was that uncertainty in his body language? Maggie stayed silent, hoping he’d open up. Something had shifted between them tonight. Fragile. But full of promise.
“I, uh...” Will cleared his throat. “I’ve found some peace lately. Accepting that he’s gone.”
Maggie peered at him. She didn’t dare speak, terrified of fracturing their delicate reconciliation. Will was choosing vulnerability. She owed it to him to listen.
“I started going to a group at Dimitri’s church. It really helped.” He risked meeting her eyes. “I was pretty skeptical at first. But it’s given me tools to process the grief instead of just shoving it down and pretending I’m fine.”
Maggie blinked. She’d given up asking him to attend counseling long ago. Assuming stoicism and burying himself in work was Will’s way of coping even if it isolated him. That old resentment had driven a wedge between them.
Had she misread him all this time?
“Church?” She couldn’t mask her disbelief. “They way you’ve always talked, I figured you’d avoid it like the plague.”
A small smile crossed Will’s face. “Dimitri dragged me to his grief group a few months back. Said it had helped him after losing his wife and thought it might help.” He huffed a laugh through his nose. “I guess it did.”
Warmth spread through Maggie’s chest. She and Will had been through the worst possible pain, and it tore them apart. But the connection between them still flickered when all else faded to ash.
She’d missed him. They’d been partners in every sense. Best friends knowing each other’s tells like their own heartbeat.
She brushed her fingers over his. “I’m proud of you. I know opening up doesn’t come naturally.” Squeezing his hand, she marveled again at how perfectly they fit together. Two ragged halves made whole. “I’m glad you found peace.”
Will cradled her palm. “I just wish I’d gotten help sooner. For both of us.” His thumb traced delicate circles. “I let work consume me. Shut you out when you needed me most. I failed you as a husband.”
“You didn’t—” Maggie began, but Will brought her knuckles to his lips. The featherlight kiss silenced her rebuttal.
“I’ve changed, Mags.” His hazel eyes glowed warm. “Letting people in instead of hiding behind the job.”
Maggie remembered the night he’d shown up at her office with her favorite ice cream after a rough court case. His smile had slipped past her defenses.
The stealthy coffee deliveries that kept her awake working motion after motion into the night.
His silent strength asking her for just one date despite all her rejections.
Yes...she’d witnessed him healing and hadn’t realized it until now.
“I have noticed.” Maggie tilted her head. “You’re happier. Settled.” She touched his cheek, heart fluttering as he leaned into her palm. “Like you found solid ground. I want that for myself.”
“You can have it, Maggie. I’m kinda new at this, but I’ve learned that when you put your faith in Jesus, He’ll be your rock so that when storms come, you won’t get washed away.”
Maggie nodded, not sure she was ready for all Will offered. But she was so very tired of being strong alone.
The years had etched character into Will’s rugged features, but behind the premature grays and smile lines, she still glimpsed the man she gave her whole heart to. Too long she’d kept him at a self-imposed distance, nursing her private grief. He was choosing them again. Fighting for their fractured marriage when he had every reason to walk away.
Could she meet him halfway?
Maggie drew a shaky breath. “You have no idea how much I’ve struggled too. I put all the blame on myself.” She dropped her gaze, old shame rising. “If I hadn’t left him with Todd that day...”
Will tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “How could you know?”
“I shouldn’t have taken that call. I turned my back for a few minutes...” Her voice cracked. “...and he disappeared.”
She squeezed her eyes shut against the familiar burn of tears. Waited for the reassurance she didn’t deserve. But instead, Will tipped her chin up gently.
“You’re one of the best prosecutors in the city. An amazing mom. The greatest wife a man could dream of. What happened wasn’t your fault and it doesn’t make me love you any less.”
Maggie’s eyes flew open. She searched Will’s face, saw only earnestness there. No judgment. No condemnation for her greatest failure. Just deep devotion reflecting back.
“I...” Her objections died on her tongue. Will had never blamed her for losing Drew. Not once in five empty years. Hearing him absolve her now released a bind around her soul she hadn’t realized was slowly strangling the life from her.
“Oh, Will.” A sob broke free as she collapsed against him. Strong arms circled her shaking frame. “I’m so sorry...”
“Shhh. Just let it out.” Will smoothed her hair, rocking them slowly. His rhythmic heartbeat and sandalwood aftershave cocooned her in safety. “We’re going to be okay.”
Maggie wasn’t sure how long they stayed like that, her tears soaking his t-shirt. The tide of grief released its grip on her as she rested in the refuge of Will’s embrace.
Exhaustion replaced despair and she slumped heavier against his chest.
His lips grazed her hair. “Try to sleep. It’s been a brutal few days.”
“Will you stay?” Maggie cringed at the neediness in her whispered plea. “I mean...you don’t have to obviously. I just...”
“Hey, of course.” His hand was warm on her back. Grounding. “I’m not going anywhere.” He hooked his finger under her chin and kissed her.
When they’d finished, Maggie’s breath escaped in a rush.
Will brought their joined hands to his chest. “I’m here as long as you need me.”
The sincerity resonating through his words erased her doubts.
This was her Will. Steadfast protector. Forever by her side.
They deserved a fresh start. But somewhere deep in her soul, she knew she needed one thing first. “Will? Can you tell me about Jesus?”
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