Finding Us (Christian Interracial Romance)

I Came Back Whole {Part Two}

Jeremy

I step onto the sound-stage and it hits me all at once—the smell of coffee and cables, the low hum of lights warming up, the quiet chaos that only exists where stories are made. I haven't been here in a long time. Not like this. Not with this heart.

A PA hands me a call sheet with my name printed clean and simple.

BENJAMIN REEVES — Guest Star 

I exhale. 

Not a killer. 

Not a demon. 

Not a man drowning in shadows. 

Just a husband. A father. A journalist who loves his wife. 

I whisper a prayer under my breath before anyone can hear it. Thank you for letting me come back the right way.

Across the stage, I see her.

Cecilia—already in character as Evelyn Torres—laughing softly with Madison and Cheryl. She looks radiant, not in a polished, industry way, but in a way someone looks when they've survived something and decided to live anyway. When our eyes meet, she smiles at me, small and steady, like an anchor. 

I walk over and she reaches for my hand instinctively, squeezing once. 

"You ready, Mr. Reeves?" She teases. 

I lean in. "Only because you're here." 

The director calls us to places and suddenly I'm standing in a recreated Bayonne, New Jersey living room—late '90s wallpaper, family photos, warmth baked into every detail. It's surreal how safe it feels. Like I'm stepping into a life that's whole. 

The scene is simple. Benjamin comes home from work. Evelyn is grading papers at the kitchen table. There's affection, familiarity, love without drama. 

Action.

I hang my jacket, cross the room, and kiss her temple. 

"How were the kids?" I ask softly. 

She looks up at me with that Evelyn smile—tired but content. "Loud. Hungry. Wonderful." 

The line lands differently than I expect. My chest tightens. I feel tears prick, but I hold steady. This is acting, yes—but it's also testimony. That love doesn't have to destroy you. 

"Cut," the director yells, smiling. "That was beautiful." 

Applause ripples lightly through the crew. 

Cecilia squeezes my hand again, eyes shining. You did tremendously good." 

I swallow. "We did." 

Then, a sudden sharp inhale erupts. 

Cecilia and I turn our heads to Felicia Jones—a great friend of ours who has worked with me during the sixth and seventh season of The Murder Diaries and is one of the regulars on Voices since the second season.  

"I know damn well," Felicia shrieks, her hands flying to her mouth as she freezes in place along with the crew and the rest of the cast. 

"CECE, YOU'RE BACK!" A broad grin breaks across Felicia's face and without a second thought, she breaks into a run. 

"Feli," Cecilia laughs with nostalgia and opens her arms wide. Felicia doesn't slow down; she runs straight into a warm, embracing hug, both laughing as they reunited after years apart.  

Felicia pulls away from Cecilia and glances at me with a huge grin expanding her face, throwing her arms around me. I chuckle heartily as I envelope Felicia in a warm embrace.