30. Chapter 30
Chapter thirty
Monty
I t is fitting that the sun is shining, casting golden warmth over the world, as if nature itself is celebrating. The darkest days of winter have passed, and today is a good day. A day of homecoming. A day of joy. It would be incongruous if it were raining.
I stand just outside the front door of Pink’s house, my hand resting on his shoulder. He is in front of me, his posture alert yet relaxed, as we both look out down the driveway. The anticipation in the air is thick, vibrating with unspoken emotions.
Lello and Carter stand nearby, their hands twitching with restrained excitement. Gray and Mal hover at the edge of the group, their expressions hopeful yet wary, as if they barely dare to believe this moment is real. Blue and Sammy stand together, their presence a steadying force amidst the bubbling energy. Behind us, in the shade of the doorway, Ned and Morgan linger. Their children peek curiously around their legs, sensing the importance of the occasion but not yet fully understanding it.
The sound of tires crunching over gravel breaks the stillness. A battered minivan rolls into the driveway, its dented frame a testament to long roads traveled. It stops in front of us, and for a heartbeat, there is silence.
Then the doors burst open.
Jade, Red, and Brodie jump out, their faces alight with exhilaration. They are home. For good. The Council has issued Jade a pardon.
A joyous chaos erupts as Pink lunges forward, followed closely by Lello, Carter, and Sammy. I step back slightly, letting the flood of emotions take center stage. My chest swells with quiet satisfaction as I watch the reunion unfold. Laughter, shouts, arms wrapping around each other in unrestrained relief. Blue stands in the midst of it all, grinning widely but choosing not to partake in the physical affection. It is his way.
Lello, always the instigator of warmth, turns to Gray and beckons him over. The demon hesitates, his dark eyes flickering with uncertainty. But before he can second-guess himself, he is pulled into the embrace. The tension melts from his body as he beams, the delight in his expression undeniable. Demons really aren’t all that scary once you get to know them.
A movement draws my attention toward Ned. He stands apart, observing the reunion with an easy smile. I hope it is the brightness of the sun keeping the vampire at a distance and not any lingering animosity toward Jade.
As if summoned by my thoughts, the crowd begins moving toward the house. Conversations overlap in a tangle of emotions, but then everything falls into sudden silence as Jade and Ned come face to face.
Jade pales. His shoulders stiffen, and he lowers his head, mumbling something I can’t quite hear.
Ned responds, his voice too soft for me to catch, but his meaning is unmistakable. He extends a hand. A simple, powerful offering of forgiveness. But Jade, too wrapped in his own guilt, doesn’t see it.
Lello, impatient as always, takes matters into his own hands and gives Jade a firm shove. The fey stumbles forward, crossing the invisible barrier of shade into Ned’s space, and in a breath, Ned pulls him into a hug.
The gathered crowd erupts in cheers. Lello, by far the loudest, practically beams with satisfaction. Then, with a dramatic clap of his hands, he takes control.
“Enough standing around! Inside! Food waits for no one!”
The dining room is too small for thirteen adults and three children, but we make it work. It is a room filled with noise, overlapping conversations, the clatter of dishes, and the warmth of belonging. I take my seat next to Pink, my fingers barely brushing against his, yet the touch is enough to send my heart into a delighted frenzy.
There is no order to the meal, no assigned serving or structured etiquette. Instead, hands reach over one another, passing bowls, grabbing bread, laughing when someone almost topples a dish. It is messy, unorganized, and absolutely perfect. Nothing like the stiff, calculated meals I grew up with. And that makes it all the more special.
A glow of contentment spreads through me. I am sitting in a room full of happy people, and I am part of the reason for their happiness. It was me who pushed the Council into granting Jade a pardon. I made this happen.
Of course, an even greater accomplishment is the man beside me. Convincing Pink to be my fiance is, without a doubt, my proudest achievement.
Two victories in quick succession. I have every right to feel smug. Now, all that remains is to find Laurie. And given my recent streak of success, I can feel it in my bones. Laurie will be home soon. I am on a roll. Nothing can stop me now.
It won’t be easy. My mother is no feeble foe. But I will bring Laurie back safe and sound. Then, finally, my life will be complete. Heaven on Earth. Everything I have ever dreamed of, all within my grasp.
A commotion snaps me back to the present. Sammy, in a spectacular act of clumsiness, has managed to knock over the massive bowl of potato salad. The bowl rolls precariously, but miraculously, its thick contents hold firm. A collective breath is held, then released in a chorus of laughter.
Pink squeezes my hand, his chuckle rumbling low. I turn to him, heart swelling at the sparkle in his brown eyes. The sad, despondent man I first met, exists only in the past. Pink is healing. He has found a new lease on life. And I will be damned if I ever let that light dim again.
The meal settles into a comfortable lull, the clinking of cutlery slowing as stomachs fill. Then, in the quiet, Lello’s voice rings out like a bright bell.
“Our next celebration will be Pink and Monty’s wedding!”
Every head in the room snaps toward us. A hush falls over the table, thick with expectation.
Pink’s face flushes, a lovely shade of rose blooming across his cheeks. His eyes widen, flicking to mine, mirroring my own surprise. We had spoken of announcing our news, of course, but he had wanted to keep the focus on today’s homecoming. He hadn’t breathed a word.
Jade is the first to break the silence. “Wait… really?”
Pink’s blush deepens.
The room collectively gasps.
Then, Lello, self-satisfied beyond measure, stands tall, hands on his hips. “See! Told you!” he boasts, tossing his head like a victorious stallion.
The explosion of movement and sound is instantaneous. A thousand congratulations burst forth, filling the room with renewed energy. I grin, pull Pink close, and kiss him amidst the cheers.
Our wedding is going to be truly magical.