Colby's POV
It was kind of hilarious how nervous I was to surprise the kids.
I was able to go on the scariest jobs without even flinching but this was making me nervous.
It was ridiculous.
"Okay you just wait here." Julia said with a small smile, positioning me so I would be out of the way.
I couldn't help but admire her as she worked up the courage to go into the room that the kids were in.
I didn't plan on asking her to marry me last night but I knew it was right. There was nobody else in the world I would want to be my wife.
Julia was the love of my life.
"Okay." Julia whispered then opened the door, walking into the room.
"Sissy!" Juniper squealed causing my heart to jolt. It has been such a long time since I've seen the kids that I didn't even know if they missed me.
I could hear the kids reuniting with Julia as I took a step closer to the door.
"Are you okay, Jules?" Carter asked as they came into view. They were all hugging her as she crouched down holding onto them.
"Yeah, I'm okay." Julia said as Juniper looked up, seeing me standing in the doorway.
"Sissy..." Juniper said, her face going white. "There's a ghost." She said as I shook my head, smiling at her.
"He's real, love." Julia said quietly causing all of the kids to look up at me.
"C'mere." I said and crouched down. "SISSY, MOVE!" Juniper screamed as she pushed Julia away so she could run into my arms.
"How?" Little Sam asked with amazement as Juniper started sobbing uncontrollably, clinging onto me.
"I'll explain in a little while." I said and held Juniper tightly, looking up at Carter and Jenna.
They were looking at me with amazement and confusion. Jenna had a hint of anger behind her eyes as she turned to Julia, saying something to her and walking away.
I expected Jenna to have a more angry and angsty reaction to my return but I had to hope that she wasn't going to take it out on Julia.
"I don't understand." Carter said with astonishment before looking at Julia.
"It's complicated." Julia said as Juniper pulled away and looked at me.
"You can't leave again." She said as I smiled, brushing her hair from her forehead. "I'm not going anywhere, kid." I said with a smile then hugged her again.
"Does this mean we get to go home?" Sam asked as I opened my arm so he and Carter could join the hug.
"Not for a while." I said with a sigh as Julia shifted with an uncomfortable look on her face.
I knew she was in a lot of pain but she was trying to stay strong for everyone. She needed to rest though.
"Jules." I said causing her to look up at me. "Go." I said and nudged my head so she would go lay down.
She smiled at me slightly then went to go to one of the beds.
"Colby?" Juniper asked and squeezed me tighter. "Oof- you're crushing me, kid." I said as she shook her head.
"I never wanna let go." She whimpered. "I know. I was a bad best friend and left you for a while." I hummed.
"Julia told us you died." Carter said as I nodded. "Yea-" I started but was interrupted by Jenna, who was now standing in front of us.
