Several minutes sped past. It might have been hours, for all Hannah knew. Riley gently eased her away from him as he carefully studied her. His eyes widened when he noticed how nicely round her stomach had become. Silence stretched into silence.
Hannah pushed the knotted emotion from her throat enough to be able to speak normally. "As you can see, I've been eating well."
His gaze rested on the strained buttons of her coat, and a gloating, happy smile curved up the corners of his mouth. "How are you feeling?"
She grinned. "Never better."
"And Junior?"
"He's growing like a weed. I…1 think we might have a soccer champion on our hands."
Riley laughed outright. "So he's doing his share of kicking these days?"
Hannah nodded. "You'll be able to feel him now."
"Good. I'll look forward to doing exactly that." He reached for his duffel bag, tossing it over his shoulder with familiar ease. "Shall we go home, my love?" he asked, draping his free arm over her shoulders.
Hannah agreed with a quick nod of her head. Home. Their home. It was where she belonged. Where Riley belonged. The two of them together.
In all his years of military life, Riley had never experienced a homecoming more profound. There'd never been anyone waiting at the wharf to greet him before. No wife to rush forward and run into his waiting arms. No one to shout with joy and excitement when he stepped down the gangplank.
Until this day, Riley never realized how much he'd missed. His heart felt full, brimming over with a happiness, a contentment that radiated from deep within his soul.
He couldn't stop staring at Hannah as they drove back to the house. She'd changed, and the transformation left him dumbfounded. Her hair was different – longer, thicker, shinier. She wore it pinned up, away from her face, exposing high, prominent cheekbones and gray eyes so beautiful it was like staring into a darkening winter sky. Her color was back, her cheeks rosy and her eyes clear and bright.
The beauty he saw in her was enough to steal his breath. He struggled for words, wanting her to know what was in his heart; but a hard lump had formed in his throat and it was impossible to speak. He slowed his breathing and swallowed, hoping to ease the pressure so he could say the things he wanted, but for then it was impossible. There was so much he longed to tell her, so much he wanted to explain. He would in time, when he could say it without trembling like a schoolboy.
He'd been starved for the sight of her, rushing through the crowds along the wharf in his eagerness to hurry home, praying she'd still be there, praying she could find it in her heart to forgive him, praying she'd be willing to put the ugly past behind them and start anew. He hadn't dared to hope she'd be at Delta Pier waiting for him with the other wives and families.
Riley parked in front of the house and felt its welcome penetrate him like a hot bath on the coldest day of the year; warmth, love and acceptance awaited him inside. He climbed out of the car, went around to the passenger side and opened the door for Hannah. Together they walked into their home, shutting out the winter.