Chapter 26 Tiny Majesty and Giant Hearts
I forgot the last time I'd slept this serene. No work today. No deadlines. Just... nothing. I spent the morning luxuriating in bed, letting sunlight stretch across the room like a warm blanket. Eventually, hunger—or curiosity—dragged me downstairs, and what I found made me freeze.
Ryder was crouched on the floor, bottle in hand, coaxing a tiny, suspicious rabbit to drink.
The rabbit's nose twitched like it already judged everything in the room, including Ryder.
Ryder looked up, caught me staring, and winked, a mischievous, completely unbothered grin spreading across his face.
Margot's voice cut through the quiet. "Good morning, December! Or should I say... Witness to Tiny Majesty?"
I blinked. "What... what is going on?"
Ryder tilted his head, bottle still in hand. "You said you thought rabbits were cute... so I brought one."
I froze again. "You... brought a rabbit?"
"And we're discussing names," Ryder added, his tone faintly defensive.
I looked around the kitchen: Ryder crouched earnestly, the rabbit in his arms; Billy leaning against the counter, arms crossed, clearly trying not to smile; and Margot... Margot had already swooped in on the rabbit, squinting at it like a jeweler inspecting a diamond.
Margot gasped. "Ohhh! He's exquisite! Look at that nose! The poise! The subtlety! We can't just call him Mr. Bunny. No. No. We need grandeur! Nobility! Something that screams I chew with elegance!"
Ryder groaned. "We're not hosting a coronation, Margot. He's a rabbit."
Margot waved him off like he'd just suggested defiling a cathedral. "A rabbit? My dear boy, he is practically a prince in fur! I'm thinking... Lord Fluffington of Carrotshire! Or Baron von Hop-a-lot! Oh! Or Sir Wigglebottom the Third!"
Billy's dry voice cut through like a scalpel. "Sir Wigglebottom the Third. Of course. That's exactly what any sane adult would name a rabbit. Not."
Margot turned on him with scandal. "Billy! Don't mock! You clearly don't appreciate the artistry of a fine title!"
Billy arched an eyebrow. "Artistry? It's a rabbit. And it's chewing the leg of my chair. Hardly the Renaissance."
I couldn't help laughing, crouching a little closer to the tiny creature. The rabbit twitched its nose at me and I swear I heard a faint judgmental squeak. My chest squeezed. "He's... adorable," I whispered, reaching a finger toward the soft fur.
Margot swooped in again, ignoring me completely. "Yes, Dec, adore him. But know this: naming him is serious business. A name defines his destiny. Do we want a mischievous rogue, a regal aristocrat, or a hopeless romantic?"
Ryder rolled his eyes, though the twitch of a smile betrayed him. "How about... something simple? Like... Bob?"
Margot recoiled as if he'd just suggested we rename Buckingham Palace 'Shed.' "Bob? Bob?! Are you trying to destroy centuries of rabbit dignity?!"
Billy chuckled quietly, shaking his head. "You realize we've been arguing over a bottle-fed rabbit for, what... fifteen minutes?"
Margot clutched the rabbit to her chest, whispering conspiratorially, "Fifteen minutes? This is a lifetime in bunny years, Billy! A lifetime!"
I laughed so hard I almost dropped the rabbit, which promptly twitched and nuzzled into Ryder's chest. My heart melted. "I... I don't know what to call him," I said, half-swooning, completely lost in the tiny fluff.
Ryder's grin softened. "Whatever you want, Dec. He's yours too."
Margot's eyes went wide. "Oh! Yes! A joint rulership! Dec, you must name him something dramatic! Something that encapsulates both terror and adoration! Like... Queen Flopsy the Courageous!"
Billy shook his head slowly. "I'm going to need a coffee before I survive the coronation of Queen Flopsy."
I laughed again, leaning closer to Ryder. The chaos, the ridiculousness, the tiny rabbit—my heart felt too full. Somehow, this absurd little family, with Margot bouncing around like a hyperactive elf and Billy quietly deadpanning, felt... perfect.
Ryder winked at me again, rabbit perched on his shoulder now like a tiny, twitching crown jewel. "See? I told you I could make your mornings interesting."
"Yes," I whispered, giggling. "Very interesting. Completely insane. And... adorable."
Margot clapped her hands. "Hear that, Lord Fluffington? You are adored. Now, let's discuss breakfast. Pancakes or chaos? Why not both?"
Billy groaned. "I've survived decades, Margot. I don't think I'm ready for this level of chaos."
Margot grinned, victorious. "Nonsense. You were born for it, Billy. You just didn't know it yet."
And somehow, in the middle of pancakes, rabbit names, and absolute ridiculousness, I realized: I didn't want this morning to end.
walked into the kitchen and froze for a second—Ryder was standing there, holding a glass filled with a vibrant purple smoothie that glimmered slightly in the morning light.
"You made me a smoothie?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.
He smiled, handing it over. "Yeah. I picked purple."
"Purple?" I tilted my head. "Is there... a reason?"
Ryder leaned on the counter, a small grin tugging at his lips. "Greek mythology. Purple was often linked to Dionysus—strength, resilience, rebirth. I figured... it fits."
I laughed softly, taking the glass. "Strength and resilience. I like that. And rebirth?"
He shrugged, looking almost bashful. "Second chances. We could use one of those."
I took a sip, the taste rich and slightly sweet, and felt the warmth spread through me. "That's... thoughtful. I like it."
He rubbed the back of his neck, hesitating, then spoke quietly. "You know... it's kind of like the exercise Dr. Klein gave us."
"What do you mean?"
"I... I feel proud of myself sometimes," he admitted.
"For working, learning, for... being here with you.
But then the voices in my head start mocking me.
'You're not good enough, you'll mess it up,' all that.
" He shook his head, like he was brushing off ghosts.
"And then I remember what she said—pause, name it, be honest. So.
.. I'm confessing it. Even if it sounds silly. "
I tilted my head, curious. "Confessing what?"
Ryder took a breath. "Billy offered me a permanent job. Downtown. A store for jewelry. I even have a workshop there to keep working on my pieces. I'm learning so much... gemstones, design, techniques. The world is fascinating, Dec. And I... I think I'm doing something right."
I felt my chest swell. "Ryder... that's incredible. Really. Great job. You should be proud of yourself. That's amazing."
His shoulders relaxed, and a small, genuine smile spread across his face. "Yeah... thank you. Feels... nice to say it out loud."
I lifted my glass toward him. "To strength, resilience, and second chances."
He clinked his glass against mine, eyes shining. "To second chances."
The drive to the shop felt like a small adventure. Billy's car smelled faintly of cedar and old leather, Margot's scarf fluttered from the backseat like some absurd flag, and Ryder sat beside me, fidgeting with his hands the way he always did when he was trying not to look excited.
When we pulled up, I blinked. The storefront was beautiful—large windows catching the late-afternoon sun, gold lettering curling across the glass. It was only a few blocks from the school where I worked. I turned to Ryder. "This is... gorgeous," I whispered.
Ryder's face softened. "Wait until you see inside."
Billy led us in, and I felt like I'd stepped into another world. The shop was airy and warm, gemstones glinting under soft lights. A workbench waited in the corner, tools neatly arranged. It felt alive. It felt like Ryder.
Then Billy turned to Ryder and handed him an envelope. "These are for you."
Ryder frowned, glancing at me before taking the papers. "What is this?"
Billy's eyes twinkled. "This is your shop, Ryder."
Ryder blinked, confused. "Yes, I mean... I work here."
"No," Billy said, his voice gentle but firm. "I mean you own it."
"What?"
I froze, my heart thudding, but a surge of happiness for Ryder rose so fast it almost made me dizzy.
Billy smiled faintly. "I don't know if you've noticed, but Margot and I don't have children.
It's a long story. Jan and a few others we've mentored—those were our babies.
They're scattered all over the world now, successful and happy.
And now, you two... you've both entered my heart.
I may not say much, but I adore you both.
I wish I could take all the pain out of your hearts, but I can't. All I can do is push you toward the first step. The rest is up to you."
I glanced at Ryder. His eyes were wet, his throat working as if the words were stuck. So I reached out and held his hand, squeezing gently, then turned to Billy. "Thank you, Billy."
Ryder finally managed to speak, his voice rough. "It's... it's too much."
Billy chuckled, the sound like gravel and warmth at once.
"No, darling boy, it's not. Margot and I may not look it, but we're actually rich—like very rich.
" Margot snorted from behind the counter, rolling her eyes dramatically.
Billy went on, "This jewelry business has been more of a hobby for years.
Be good to an old man, Ryder, and accept. "
Before I could say anything, Ryder stepped forward and wrapped Billy in a full, desperate hug. Billy stiffened for a second, then hugged him back just as fiercely, patting his shoulder.
Billy's voice went soft. "Now go on, Dec. Join the hug."
I laughed, tears prickling my eyes, and stepped forward, wrapping my arms around both of them.
Margot, of course, ruined the moment in the best way.
"Oh, for heaven's sake," she muttered, coming over with a tissue box.
"You three look like a sad sandwich. Someone has to be the cheese.
" She wedged herself into our circle and made an exaggerated sniffing sound.
"There. Perfect. A proper family photo."
We all burst out laughing, the sound echoing in the beautiful new shop, and for the first time in what felt like forever, Ryder's shoulders relaxed under my hands.