1:16 Bring Him Home

Izaiah often saw Callie looking at the picture of him and Colleen. He had moved it out of the bedroom and into his home office so Callie wouldn’t have to sleep under the picture. He did have to admit that it was odd making love to Callie with Colleen’s picture hanging overhead. It was a big part of why he moved it to another room.

Callie knew about Colleen. Izaiah had told her everything. From the day he met Colleen, to the day she was put to death, Callie knew it all. She understood why Izaiah kept the picture, but it was really hard to try to live up to the woman that Izaiah first loved. Some days she felt that Izaiah still loved Colleen and there would be no room for her in his heart.

She knew that he still kept Colleen’s phone charged and often looked at the pictures on it. He had told her once that he was keeping the pictures for Zaiden. He wanted the boy to have pictures of his mom. She kept quiet even though she knew that his chances of finding the boy were pretty slim. After the last time she mentioned it to him, she had learned. Zaiden was the one topic that it was best she kept quiet about.

Callie had seen the pictures a few times. She had to admit that Colleen sure was a beautiful young woman. She made Callie feel plain in comparison. Izaiah usually cheered her up afterwards by telling her that she was beautiful also. It was hard for her to believe at the moment when she felt like a beached whale thanks to the growing baby inside her.

She did really like the pictures of Izaiah that were on the phone. He looked young and happy in those pictures. Maybe someday he would be that happy again.

Callie went to find Izaiah. She knew he was in the apartment somewhere.

She found him at the bar with one empty glass, and a second full one. She could see by the look on his face and the tears in his eyes that something had him upset. She took his hand and led him to the nearby sofa.

“What’s wrong, Izaiah?”

“I just had a call from Pace. They found Zaiden.”

Callie was happy for him, but worried for her own reasons. “I am happy for you. I know how much you want him back home.” She gave him a big hug. “He will be back with you where he belongs now.”

He moved closer to her and smiled as he looked at her. “Thank you for being so supportive of me finding him. I know it has not been easy for you.”

“I understand why you want him with you, Izaiah. I also know that it is what you need to make you happy. I want you to be happy.”

He kissed her tenderly. “Go get yourself ready. We’ll go out to Stargazer Lounge tonight to celebrate.”