Chapter 18
VALEN
Ava and I are on the couch watching another episode of the vampire show after work when her cell phone rings. I’m still baffled by the small rectangular device that connects people from long distances.
“Hello?” Ava answers while I fumble with the remote to pause the show.
She points to the right button, and I turn it completely off on accident. Pom Pom chews on a toy in his dog bed in the corner, unaware of what’s going on. At second glance, it might be my shoe.
“Hey, Mom, what’s up?” Ava adjusts her position on the couch, crossing her legs in a way she’s told me is crisscross applesauce, which is baffling because applesauce is a food, not a position.
A female voice echoes across the line. It’s hard not to hear the upbeat woman on the other end, but I pretend to be enraptured by the book I snag off the floor and not look like I’m eavesdropping. Ava is not dumb, though, and probably knows I can hear without even trying.
“Hey, sweetie,” the chipper female voice replies. “Fancy a visit home soon? I’ll even make my homemade apple pie you love so much.”
Ava admires her newly painted purple nails while she talks. “Yeah, that’s a good idea. I miss you guys. Does this weekend work?”
“I’ll make sure your father doesn’t have plans I don’t know about, but I believe we’re open! I can’t wait to squeeze you, Aves,” she gushes. “I don’t get to see you enough.”
The love Ava’s mother radiates is palpable.
Even though she’s not her biological parent, it doesn’t matter, and you can tell that’s true for both.
Filled with the urge to meet this woman, I tap Ava on the hand.
She looks at me with an adorably confused expression, and I motion from me to her and then the phone.
Her brows furrow, and I mime out what I’m trying to say.
“What?” Ava hisses, trying to lean away.
“I’ll come with you,” I whisper.
“What’s that?” Ava’s mom asks.
“I’ll come,” I say a little louder.
“Nothing, Mom,” Ava replies while putting a hand over my mouth.
“Is someone with you? I thought I heard another voice.” Her mother’s voice is a mix of confused and curious.
Ava’s eyes close and she takes a deep breath before answering. “Uh. yeah. I’m going to bring a friend with me.”
“Oh, is it Celine? I’d love to see her again.”
Ava pulls her hand away and gives me a look that tells me to be quiet.
“No, it’s someone you haven’t met before.” Her mom starts to interject but Ava keeps going. “All right, see you in a few days!” With that, she hits a button and throws her phone down.
“Are you sure you want to meet my parents?” she asks, reaching for the blanket and draping it over her lap. “My mom can be a bit much at times, and my dad…” She shakes her head. “They’re going to assume we’re dating and have a field day with it. Are you okay with that?”
I gently stroke my finger against her cheek. “I am your mate. It makes sense for me to meet your family. I want to,” I assure her.
She gives a small, hopeful smile. “Okay. Just … prepare yourself.”
A few days later, we stand in front of a cherry red front door, and Ava fidgets nervously. I’m not quite certain how someone manages to make their fingers go around each other so many times.
“Don’t worry,” I speak up, in case her nervousness has anything to do with me. “I remember everything you told me and will be on my best behavior.”
Pounding footsteps on the other side of the door signal the incoming hurricane that is Ava’s mom. Based on everything she’s told me, Linda McGuire is a force to be reckoned with, but so is Ava so I wouldn’t expect anything less.
“It’s not you I’m worried about,” she grumbles.
The door swings open, bringing with it a wave of floral perfume.
“Ava!” A woman with dark hair pulls her into a tight hug. She’s shorter than Ava. Petite. But the strength with which she holds her is shocking. Ava, who was grumbling just a second ago, beams and holds on just as tight. Burying her face in her mother’s hair, she soaks in the attention.
The women pull back from each other, and Mrs. McGuire holds Ava’s cheeks. Love shines on every feature of her face as she runs her hands over Ava’s arms in a comforting caress. Their auras intertwine with each other; Ava’s a vibrant purple and Linda’s a pastel orange.
“Look at my beautiful girl. I know it hasn’t been too long since you visited, but I’m glad you’re here.” She’s so absorbed in her daughter she hasn’t noticed me yet.
“Me too.” Ava grabs her mom’s hand and swings their arms.
Linda spots me standing off to the side, and her eyes zero in, taking me in from my dark hair down to my boots. I can feel her assessment and channel my angel training, standing still under a general’s stare.
“Who is Mr. Tall, Dark, and Handsome?” she asks her daughter with obvious approval in her gaze.
Ava sputters, “Mom!”
“Valen, ma’am.” I hold out a hand, which she shakes with both of her own.
“When you said you were bringing a friend, I thought you meant a gal. This is above and beyond.” Linda tucks my hand under her arm, and I hold in the flinch as she leads me into the house, her daughter forgotten behind us.
“Come this way, dear. You can meet my husband and tell me more about yourself.”
I feel Ava’s exasperation and concern at the contact her mom is making with my body.
“Larry! Come meet Valen,” Linda calls upstairs. Then she gets to work assembling what looks to be cubed cheeses on a wooden plank. Odd.
“Yeah, Dad, it’s not like I’m here too!” Ava calls after taking her shoes off at the door. I suppose I should’ve done the same and quickly join her so I can remove my boots. She gives me a small smile and grabs my pinkie, giving it a tiny squeeze.
Shuffling down the stairs, a tall, lean man with completely gray hair reveals himself. He sports a pair of wire-framed glasses and holds a tabby cat in his arms. His aura is also pastel orange in color.
“My favorite girl is here?” He smiles and the wrinkles around his eyes deepen. These are three people who have lived and loved together. I feel a pang at the memory of my own childhood.
It’s not that our parents did not love us, but angels operate differently. Our mission is our life, and most angels don’t have children. My sister and I shared a special bond as one of the few sets of siblings to exist. We worked incredibly well together as warriors.
“Miss Tabby might have something to say about that. Hi, Tabitha,” Ava coos at the cat and holds her like a baby after hugging her dad.
The cat meows and nuzzles Ava. I see the many years the cat has experienced. While still intelligent, there’s an obvious difference in her behavior to Midnight and Pom Pom as familiars. She doesn’t have that look in her eyes—the one of knowing and understanding too much.
“Hi, Valen. I’m Larry. Nice to meet ya.” He gives me a strong handshake, and I return it in kind.
“Thank you for having me.”
“So, Valen, what is it that you do? How did you meet our daughter?” Linda scuttles around the kitchen, preparing snacks and pulling out tools I’ve never seen before. She ushers us to the living room to get comfortable while she finishes up.
“Celine introduced us,” Ava replies quickly before I can.
Not untrue.
“That she did. As for work, I’m between jobs.” I go with the safest answer and see Ava nod in approval.
“Perfectly okay.” Larry waves a dismissive hand through the air. “I went through the same thing a time or two. Sometimes you have to find yourself and figure out where you want to go next before you can dive into another job.”
“How’s your hip, Mom?” Ava cuddles with the cat while Linda brings the assorted snacks to where we’re all seated.
“Oh, it’s all right.” As if summoning the pain, she rubs her hip with a wince.
“I’m trying to hold off on a replacement for as long as possible, but your dad said I should get it done and over with.
It’ll bring a lot of relief once it’s all healed up.
” She sits next to Larry, who wraps an arm around her shoulder and kisses her on the temple.
“But I watched a video on how they perform the surgery, and it’s got me shaken up. ”
Ava groans, but the sound is tinged with laughter. “Mom, why would you do that?”
“I don’t know.” The older woman sighs, shoulders deflating. “I was a little too curious, I guess.”
Ava shakes her head, her lips curled in adorable amusement.
Glancing between Ava and her parents, I continue to be amazed by the comfort and love that radiates between them. Their auras mingle with a happy shimmer, all three practically merging into one giant aura.
“How’s work for you? I know it’s been different without Celine there,” Larry asks while indulging in some of the food. I politely reach for some of the strange cubed cheese and pieces of bread to be kind.
“Good,” Ava replies, toying with the ends of her hair. “I stay busy, especially with some gnarly cases popping up recently.”
“Where are my manners?” Linda suddenly stands up and grabs Ava’s arm. The cat she holds yowls and runs off. “Come with me to pour drinks. Is lemonade okay for everyone?” She drags Ava away before we can respond. Ava sends a sheepish look my way before she’s gone from my sight.
Larry shrugs his shoulders at me and makes small talk. I converse with him but can’t help but listen in on the ladies.
I struggle to hold in a chuckle when Linda exclaims how attractive I am.
“Where did you find him? Is he your boyfriend?” Linda prods, and I feel Ava’s frustration mounting.
“He’s very attractive”—I puff up at that comment—“but no, Mom. We’re just friends.” I instantly deflate.
“He’s up for grabs, then?” A light smacking sound follows, and I smile to myself.
I tune out the rest, opting to give Ava some well-deserved privacy with her mom.
Larry and I continue to chat, and I pretend like I know what football is. He’s very passionate about the sport, it seems, but none of the terms make any sense to me. When I ask him if a quarterback is another name for the coin, he gives me a funny look and quiets, focusing on the TV.
“Drinks!” Linda bounces back to the living room and divvies up a yellow liquid I’ve never seen before. Sniffing it, I nearly recoil at the sour smell. Ava catches my eye and shakes her head.
“Ava?” her mom says, getting her attention. “You were asking about your birth parents, so I decided to dig through our paperwork from your adoption, and I came across the name of the adoption agency.”
Ava sits up straighter at the unexpected change of topic.
Her mom pulls a piece of paper from her pocket and hands it to her.
“I know it’s not much, but I thought if you reached out, they might be able to tell you more than I can.
I don’t know the policies, and they try to keep things hush-hush, but maybe since you’re the adoptee and older now, they can give you something. ”
Larry squeezes her shoulder in comfort.
“Thanks, I really appreciate it.” She fiddles with the piece of paper, eyes filling with determination.
Clearing his throat, Larry changes the subject. “Are you coming here for Thanksgiving this year? I know last time you celebrated with your friends.”
Ava shrugs and tucks the folded piece of paper in her purse. “Since Celine’s got herself a boyfriend, I think they’re celebrating with her dad, but I don’t know for sure. I’ll be here if you want me, so be sure to make extra food.” Ava winks. “You guys know how much I love Thanksgiving food.”
Tipping her head toward me, Linda says, “Valen, you’re more than welcome to join us. We keep it small, but we’d love to have you.”
“I appreciate your invitation and gladly accept.” I hold a hand over my heart and bow in her direction. She giggles, and Ava mouths around her hand, asking if I am sure.
I nod at her, and the smile I receive in return warms my heart.