Trevor and his kids came out the front door. Mikey and Maddie crashed into my legs. I leaned down and kissed their cheeks. Trevor kissed the top of my head and told me goodbye, and he would see me tomorrow. I did not want to tell Trevor about the things Jeff had told me about Tara, but I would, because he had to know, so he could protect Madison. That girl was his—even if she wasn’t. Now was not the time though. He led the kids to his car, and they took off.

Luke, with Dylan in his arms and Rocky jumping around his feet, made his way up the walkway to the porch steps followed by Liam and my mother.

Dad and Cade had gone back to the station to bust the bad guys or whatever they did after they arrested people.

Asher came out of the front door bearing an ice pack, which he handed to me after hugging me. I pressed it to my sore face with my sore hand and held it there. Mark and Mara were with their other grandparents. I would see them this weekend. I was sure my mother would be doing something extra for Sunday dinner.

Levi and Jude were up next, followed by Finn and Nick. I hugged them all and suddenly missed Holly. It had been almost a year since I’d seen my baby sister.

But then there she was. Walking out the front door like the blond goddess she was. She ran into my arms. She had to lean over because like almost everyone else in my family, she was way taller than me. We hugged, then she cradled my face, gentle with the bruises and swelling that had arisen along the side where Derrick had hit me, she studied my eyes. “Did he hurt you?” Her voice trembled. Her eyes were haunted by her own memories.

“No. Not like that,” I answered quickly.

The ghosts left her eyes, and relief replaced the dread in her expression. A beautiful smile lit up her face. “I just got home a few hours ago. Walked through the front door, the house was full, and everyone was going nuts. I have been so worried, Lily.”

“I’m sorry you had to go through that, Holly,” I said, and she laughed.

“Typical Lily. You get kidnapped, yet you are apologizing because I worried about you. I love you.”

“I love you too.”

Luke and Dylan had come up behind me. Dylan ran around me to one of the padded couches on the porch and sat down. Rocky hopped up beside him and cuddled into his side.

“Hey, Luke. It’s good you’re finally back. I missed you,” Holly said.

“Can I hug you?” Luke asked. With a nod, she opened her arms, he hugged her quickly, then stepped back.

“Hi,” Liam said.