Chapter 19 Chance #2
I didn't wait for the awkwardness to get worse.
Hands braced on the counter, I went right for the heart of the matter.
"You should stay here," I said. "At least until Fifi figures out the shifting.
The first weeks are unpredictable. She could change again anytime, and you don't want to be twenty miles away if it hits.
The dog's welcome, too. Though he and Lola will have to sort it out. "
Mom poured the tea and set the mugs in front of everyone. I took a sip. Caden loved that blend.
Tash blinked, jaw set. She wanted to argue, but she was too tired, or maybe just too honest, for anything but the truth.
"They're supposed to start school on January fourth," she said.
"Until then, the girls are remote. I have a full syllabus for both, and their work's all up to date. I don't want them to lose ground."
I leaned in, not letting up. "I'd keep them home longer, if you can. Fifi mustn't shift at school. They're better off here until her dragon settles."
Fifi took a sip of tea, perched on a kitchen stool, still hugging herself like she didn't believe her bones were real. Mere picked at a spoon handle, eyes darting from Maeve, who was slicing and plating an entire pie, apparently as therapy food, to her mother and back again.
Maeve finished slicing and called out, "Mere? Want to join me in the sunroom? I'll show you that clothes-shifting spell and a few other tricks. Fifi, you too. Some dragons can do little magics, and we can see if you're one of them."
Mere smiled. "Yes, please."
Fifi didn't even hesitate. "I'm coming. Do I need a notebook?"
Maeve snorted. "Just bring your curiosity. Notes come later."
The exodus was fast. They vanished down the hall with three plates of pie, Huey scrambling after as if he knew snacks were in his future. It left the kitchen like the aftermath of a tornado. Me, Tash, and Mom, plus a silent kettle, three mugs, and three slices of pie.
I exhaled, fighting the weird urge to pace. "They're going to be okay. You're all going to be okay."
Mom busied herself stirring her tea, but her focus was nowhere. She fidgeted with the mug's handle, then centered it in front of her. She looked over at Tash.
Her words were soft, but they trembled. "I should've believed you years ago. You tried to do the right thing. The girls are remarkable. I'm sincerely sorry for how I handled everything. If you accept nothing else from me, please accept my apology."
Tash just stood there. I could see every memory running behind her eyes. Years of searching, disappointment, that day when she'd been offered a check and told to vanish.
She shrugged. "You did what you thought was right. I won't hold it against you, even if I don't know if we can ever be friends. Let's agree the past… is past. Thank you for saying it."
Mom blinked, clearly shaken. She nodded, once, then focused on her tea.
It was quiet for a while after that. Which, honestly, was fine by me.
I drifted toward the porch window, keeping an ear out for Maeve's lessons. I heard giggles, then a bright, "It's not even that complicated!" from Fifi.
Then Mere's questions. "Does it work with jewelry? What if you want to change what you're wearing when you shift back?"
The tea had cooled by the time they came out.
Fifi was first to talk. "I was scared, Mom. But now—" She chewed on the words. "It actually feels right?"
Mere made a face. "You almost squashed us."
Fifi grinned, almost cocky. "Worth it."
Tash asked softly, "You're okay? It didn't hurt?"
"Nah. It burned, but not, you know, bad. More like being stretched too far for too long, then suddenly not." Fifi hesitated, then went totally still.
I recognized the look. Head cocked, eyes clouded, listening to something only she could hear. Her lips parted, and for a heartbeat, I swear even the wind outside stopped to listen.
"Oh my goodness. I can hear her." She blinked, a wide smile lighting her face up. "Her name is Flora. She told me. Flora."
Caden went wild in my chest. A strong name. She will fly true.
I let him have a moment, pride and hope washing every missing year away. Well, making it hurt a little less, anyway.
Tash gazed at me thoughtfully. There was trust in her, but still scar tissue, too. She nodded, not eager but not afraid, and said, "Let's do this."
I didn't hesitate. "Let's plan to keep Fifi out of the public eye until she's ready. If you need anything, you ask. We'll keep a routine, let things settle. And if you're comfortable, I'll help to get your bags from your place tonight. The girls can stay here, with Mom and Maeve."
Tash nodded. "This is so insane that being here for right now might be for the best."
Ecstasy wasn't a big enough word for what Caden did inside my ribcage. He nearly vaporized my sense of dignity.
The girls chatted with my Mom, Fifi hesitantly calling her "grandma" while they demolished the pie.
Tash lingered a second. "You're sure about this? The chaos, the noise. My kids basically blew up your house."
If anything, I'd never been more certain. "It's home, Tash. It always felt too big till now." I lowered my voice. "And they're my kids, too."
She laughed softly, then ducked her head, and for a minute, all the old shyness came up between us. I wanted to reach for her, but Caden stomped on the impulse. There would be time later. If she stayed much longer tonight, I was going to say something we weren't ready for.