Chapter 123
Mireya
A bond stronger than blood
“What a lovely drive, I never knew you girls had such beautiful scenery of the island driving to that fancy school of yours,” Edna says with a laugh as she helps Milo out of the car.
We’re all exiting our cars, and Damien is already standing up farther away from us.
It makes me smile how shy he can be sometimes. I feel that little pull in my chest when his eyes land on me.
There’s something disarming about seeing him like this.
So reserved, while looking at me like I’m the only person here.
As if a few minutes ago he wasn’t whispering dirty things to me in his office.
It takes me a second to see the version of him I know so well, the one whose restraint can turn into something filthy and overwhelming when we’re alone.
I could still feel the seal against my skin. That mark beneath my clothes like my skin was still remembering it. I touched it absently when our eyes met and smiled.
Strange how possible it is to be loved so softly and so brutally by the same person.
We walk toward the entrance together and Damien holds the door open for us. Hayzel goes first, followed by Milo and Edna. I’m just about to follow behind when he snatches my hand and steals a quick kiss from me before pulling me inside like nothing happened.
The waitress guides us over to the booth by the window and we all pile inside.
“You hungry, firefly?”
“Yep! I’m starving, I could eat like a massive meal,” he says which causes Edna to snort.
“I need to pee, I’ll be back in a second,” Hayzel announces as she gets up from the table.
Edna’s eyes are fixed on Damien for a moment before she finally speaks, “Damien, take care of my little Reya.”
“Nana,” I mutter, already feeling my face warm. But she ignores me and looks at him again. I can feel Damien’s eyes on me, considering my reaction.
Then I hear him say, “I will.”
I look down at my glass, suddenly interested in the condensation gathering against it. Milo is completely oblivious to the situation and keeps looking around the place, feet dangling from his chair.
Edna watches me for a second, then she smiles. “Reya, you always were terrible at letting people do things for you.”
“I can take care of myself,” I lied.
Damien’s hand finds mine under the table, his fingers closing in a slow reassuring squeeze. “I know you can,” he replies, to me. “We can both do it.”
I catch Edna’s smile as if she was testing him. And judging by her nod, she approves of this. After a moment, she speaks again, “I need to take Milo to wash his hands, I didn’t bring any of the baby wipes out with me. I don’t like any of you eating without cleaning yourselves.”
“It’s okay, I’ll take him,” Damien says as he stands, holding out his hand for Milo.
“Are you sure?” I ask him and he gives me a pointed look.
“Yes.”
“Yep, I’m going with sissy’s boyfriend!” Milo replies just as he walks towards him.
Edna and I both smile as we watch them stroll towards the back of the restaurant.
“Are you happy?” Edna asks as she leans over to take my hand.
“I am.” I say honestly.
“She would have been proud of you today, seeing you up there. You do know that, don’t you?”
It takes me a second to understand who she’s referring to. “It doesn’t matter,” I whisper and she squeezes my hand tightly before letting go.
I don’t give her a chance to respond and I rush out to say something I’ve been waiting to say for a long time.
“Now that the year is over, you know it means I’m leaving with Milo.
” I pause to find the courage to continue.
“I haven’t discussed it with Hayzel yet but I know she’d follow me anywhere but, it just doesn’t feel right starting over somewhere without you with us.
” Another pause. “How would you feel about maybe coming with us?”
I suck in my breath, closing my eyes briefly before I can hear her comments. When I open them again, I see her smile.
“I’d come with you even if you didn’t ask me. The three of you are my world,” she replies, her voice cracking.
“I—I haven’t worked out any of the logistics yet, obviously I’d need to sort out Milo’s schooling and—”
She waves her hand to stop me in my tracks. “Everything is going to be okay. You’ll live your life, I’ll take care of Milo and your other baby Blue. I want you to work, to experiment, to do things. You don’t have to put your whole life on pause. Not as long as I’m breathing.”
I open my mouth to reply when Hayzel comes storming back over to the table, visibly pissed.
“That man tried to talk to me for ten minutes and I almost peed myself!”
“You peed yourself??” Milo says as he too suddenly appears alongside Damien.
That makes me laugh.
He climbs in before Hayzel sits next to Edna and Damien next to me.
I miss them, even though I’m still here with them.
Don’t go to the cliff yet.
They’re celebrating.