Chapter 29
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
CLEM.
When I wake up, Otis is not beside me.
Maybe he’s preparing breakfast, I think as I amble sleepily into the kitchen, where Amy is making coffee.
“Have you seen Otis?” I ask, pushing my rumpled hair away from my face.
“Not this morning, but he left a message for us.”
I read the note she hands me.
There’s been an issue at work. Be back for the party. Don’t worry, I am safe. With Tony. xxx
“Should we be worried?” Amy asks.
I smile brightly, but yes, I’m worried. “If he says he’s safe, he means it.”
Amy nods, believing my confident tone.
I try to believe it too, and keep myself busy with the morning’s activity.
The twins tell me about their work in the mines, not an easy job by the sound of what they do, but it pays well, and Amy chats happily about her blossoming relationship with a satyr.
“We’re complete opposites, but we kind of click,” she explains.
“Early days and all, but it’s the first relationship I’ve had in a while, so I’m seeing where it goes. ”
My anxiety increases as the day marches on and after preparing the cake and wrapping gifts for Sally, there is still no sign or sound of Otis.
The four of us get a cab to the care home.
“Shall we just wait a little longer?” Amy says as we stand outside for what seems like hours but is probably less than fifteen minutes.
We wait, until Dwayne looks at his watch. “It’s past the start time for the party.”
“I guess we should go in,” Amy says.
We go inside and Moe leads the way to the communal living area.
There are balloons hung from the ceiling and a sign that reads, “Happy Birthday, Sally.”
And then I spot Sally
She’s waiting expectantly, dressed in her best dress with her hair braided and looped around her head twice.
“Oh,” Amy’s voice cracks as she gazes at her mom. “She looks happier, than last time we saw her.”
My heart drops. She won’t be if Otis doesn’t come.
I hang back in the doorway.
“You guys go first, I’ll wait for Otis,” I say.
The orcs move forward and I watch as Sally turns her head and sees them.
For a moment she stares blankly, then her whole face lights up with joy.
Tears spill out of her eyes, and she lumbers to her feet.
The orcs gather round her and hug her close, and my heart fills with joy at the sight.
But still I hover in the doorway, clasping my present for Sally so tightly in front of me my knuckles hurt.
Someone comes up behind me and I turn to see Moe. “Where’s Otis?” Even they have a little frown. “The cake and candles are ready to be brought in, but I thought I’d wait for him.”
“I-I don’t know where he is.”
“We’ll give him a little longer to get here, then.” Moe says.
I nod, smile tremulously. Moe smiles back but they look worried themselves as they walk off.
I know I need to step forward and give Sally my gift, but fear is jabbing at my heart like a knife. What if something has happened to Otis? What if she has lost her son today?
What if I have lost my one true love, my only mate?
No, I won’t believe it.
I swallow back the lump in my throat and walk up to Sally. She looks around, but strangely, she doesn’t ask where Otis is. She opens the gift and her face relaxes into the sweetest smile as she thanks me.
“Where’s the photo, Sally?” I ask.
“Right here in my pocket.” She pats it. “We’ll put it in the frame when everyone arrives, shall we? And then we can all admire it, together as a family.” When she hugs me, I try so hard not burst into tears.
And then Moe is gesturing from the door. I guess it’s about the cake but they look very animated.
There’s a sudden commotion in the passageway, and I detect not one, but two deep male voices. As they get nearer, I can tell they are speaking in orcish.
Sally stands up, without assistance, her spine erect, her shoulders back, a look of joy and expectation on her face.
And then they burst through the doors.
Otis and…
I know just by looking at the older orc, exactly who he is.
It’s Bradley Cane.
OTIS
When my parents’ eyes meet across the room, magic happens.
It’s as though a spark passes between them, almost visible to the naked eye, tangible, lighting up the air with love.
All the monsters feel it. They brighten, their snouts twitching, tails swishing, wings flapping gently.
And then my father and mother walk toward each other, slowly, deliberately, their eyes never leaving each other’s faces until they are chest to chest.
We all hold our breath.
My mother, looking almost like a young orc again, her face raised to Dad’s, murmurs, “Mate o dia.”
Mate of mine.
“Mata o dio,” my father responds.
They embrace, and the room lets out a collective happy sigh.
Now my eyes lock with Clem’s. She’s standing, hanging back a little from my brothers and sister who are moving toward my parents.
Tears fill Clem’s eyes as we gaze at each other.
When my parents finally part, there is a round of applause and then my siblings bound in for a group hug.
But I don’t join them. Yet.
Instead, I go over to Clem and, taking her hand in mine, gaze deep into her beautiful green eyes.
I could try and explain what happened these past few hours, but I know she understands the gist of it.
Explanations are not necessary. But these words are. “I love you, Clem Summers,” I say. “Mata o dio.”
“I love you too,” She whispers,“Mate o dia— echa.”
Mate of mine, always.
“Echa,” I repeat, bending my head to hers. Our lips meet in a sweet and binding kiss.
To my surprise, there is another round of applause, and we pull apart to see all the monsters in the room clapping wings, hands, paws, claws.
Mom and Dad, the twins and Amy are all nodding with approval, huge smiles making their tusks stand out against their green cheeks.
Taking Clem’s hand, I lead her toward my family, all five of them watching us with eyes full of love and acceptance.
“Clem, you are part of the Cane family now,” I say, and then we walk into the embrace of my parents and siblings. “Welcome, to our clan, beloved.”
As their strong green arms encircle us both, my heart explodes with joy.
Because our family is complete at last.