22. Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Two
Darius
My armor was forgotten as I escorted Milo up the hill.
My parents would get a new kind of flower for their grave today, something I appreciated Milo even more for.
He’d picked out the most beautiful pink roses, just because his only memory of my mom was of her in her white and pink rose apron. I seriously loved that man.
“Are they close to that willow tree?” Milo asked, his grip on my hand tightening, almost as if he could feel my emotions as we approached my parents.
“Yeah,” I rasped, feeling nervous and excited all at once.
“Lovely place for them to rest,” he said, no doubt noticing my emotions.
“They got engaged there,” I explained. “It was a spot they came back to each year for their anniversary. It was also where my mom told my dad about me.”
“You couldn’t have picked a better spot, then,” he smiled. “I would love for us to have a spot like that in the future, too.”
“We already have,” I reminded him. His confused expression had me explaining further with a chuckle. “The waterfall.”
“Oh.” His confusion turned into sadness.
“You don’t agree?”
He shrugged one shoulder. “I see the waterfall as something you and Jeremy share. I don’t think I can ever see it as being ours.”
It hurt to hear that, mostly because Milo was the one I often thought about while visiting the waterfall.
“I remember sitting on the stone where we shared our first kiss, wondering how I would tell you we were fated,” I admitted, knowing he needed to hear this.
“I went there alone often, trying to come up with the best ways to ensure your happiness. I would spend hours imagining our future. Seeing you smile as I pictured what you’d look like when I got you flowers, or told you how much I loved you. ”
Milo wiped his eyes with his free hand. “I can’t believe I meant that much to you even then.”
“You always meant a lot to me. It just took me some years before I realized you were mine.”
“And me much longer,” he grinned.
I returned his smile, feeling my insides warm with his happiness. Once I noticed our surroundings, I realized we were already on the top, just a few steps away from their graves.
Milo smiled knowingly and tugged me along, like he knew I needed the push. My mate could lead me anywhere and I’d follow. If only he knew the power he held over me.
The graves were shaded from the sun, the flowers I’d left were still there but no longer fresh and vibrant. I contemplated removing them now that Milo had brought them fresh flowers, but I’d never taken flowers away before and it felt wrong doing so now.
“It truly is a beautiful spot,” Milo said, his gaze lingering on the willow tree.
“We’ll find a spot that’s just ours one day, too,” I reminded him, saddened that the waterfall couldn’t be it. Although he was right. Jeremy and I had spent too much time there together for it to be a place for Milo and me.
Milo kneeled in front of Mom’s grave, his fingers tracing the carved lettering with gentle fingers. He whispered something I couldn’t hear, then placed the flowers between their graves before moving over to Dad’s stone.
I should’ve introduced them, but Milo must’ve known I needed his help with this.
I still had no idea why it was so hard being here in my human form, but it was.
My parents didn’t deserve to only see my wolf form.
If they could see me, they’d want to see both sides of me, both versions.
I would need to visit them more often as human, too.
Milo stood and moved to stand next to me. “Thank you for bringing me here. I hope you won’t mind me tagging along next time, too.”
Smiling, I tugged him into my side, smelling his hair to center myself. “I want you with me always.”
“I’m nervous,” Milo whispered as we approached Givanna’s house.
“Don’t be,” I smiled softly. “She’ll love you.”
Milo had yet to talk to his dad about everything, and I knew he feared what Givanna would think of him. At least Jeremy and Milo had spoken yesterday in their wolf forms. Milo had returned home happy and relieved so I knew it’d gone well between them.
My aunt’s house was lit up from the inside, a beacon in the approaching darkness. It was still early for dinner, but that was what Givanna preferred. She went to bed at around eight now and I wanted us to have the time to talk without her getting too tired.
With Milo’s hand in mine, I knocked, waiting patiently for her to meet Milo for the first time.
“It’s open!” she called from inside.
Entering her home felt like getting a warm hug. The scent of family soon surrounded me and I felt at ease almost instantly. I helped Milo out of his jacket and hung his and mine on hooks by the door. Then we stepped out of our shoes and followed the heavenly scent that wafted from the kitchen.
Givanna had her head almost inside the oven as she checked on the food. Her orange apron was tied around her waist and her hair was pulled into a messy bun. She looked just like she always did and the sight made me happy.
“It smells amazing in here,” I said in a way of greeting.
She closed the door and turned to face us, wiping her hands on her apron. “Well, it better taste good, too! Damn roast isn’t roasting like I want it to.”
Chuckling, I stepped forward, letting go of Milo’s hand to hug her. “I’m sure it will behave now that you threatened it.”
She slapped my chest. “I did no such thing! I only used encouraging words.”
“Mmmhmm,” I hummed, knowing her creative way of talking to her food.
“Hi,” Milo waved awkwardly.
“Milo!” Givanna gushed. “It’s about time I was introduced properly to Darius’ mate.”
Milo’s eyes widened in fear as she closed in on him, caging him in a big hug. He slowly relaxed into the hug, returning it as his arms came around her waist.
“Now, I know we aren’t exactly strangers. Still, I want to get to know more about you,” she said, ushering us over to the table where we all sat.
“Um,” Milo began, likely thinking through every single piece of information he could offer about himself. “I like gardening.”
“What?” I exclaimed. Even I hadn’t known that.
Milo blushed. “I was trying to think of things Givanna likely didn’t know.”
“I didn’t even know that. Do you want a space in the backyard for a garden?” I could build him those boxes for plants to go in, make it all pretty for him.
Givanna eyed us with amusement while Milo nodded eagerly.
“It was the thing I looked forward to the most with my old house. I planned on starting it in March,” Milo explained.
“We’ll get it ready for you,” I assured him. “How long has this been a hobby of yours?”
“Since I was twelve, I think. Dad got a lot of seeds from Mary one year because she’d ordered too many for the packhouse backyard, and he just gave them to me.”
“I like that you have a green thumb,” Givanna said, her tone full of approval. “The best cooked dishes are made from fresh ingredients. I would love to use whatever wonders you end up growing in my cooking.”
“I would love to share it,” Milo replied, smiling wider now. “In the past, I just offered my leftovers to the packhouse. I know we can always use extra veggies and fruits there.”
“True. Maybe we could offer those for the homes instead? Mary plans to grow a lot more next year, she even has a plan for each garden bed to hold veggies for certain seasons,” Givanna explained.
“I just don’t want my veggies to go to waste. I don’t care where they end up in the end, only that they’ll be enjoyed,” Milo shrugged.
“I like you, Milo. Not so much your cooking, but I can always teach you.”
Milo and I laughed at that and I secretly hoped he would learn some of her recipes, especially the ones I’d grown up eating the most. One day Givanna wouldn’t be here anymore and it would comfort me if her recipes continued on.
I was a good cook myself, but somehow I believed the magic of Givanna’s food would disappear if I was the one cooking it.
“Now,” she declared, standing. “Let’s eat some delicious food. Then I’ll show Milo my leftover seeds from this season.”
I smiled. This was just what I needed. My mate and aunt finally meeting as family members.