Page 41 of Homecoming

Aeryn ate the noodles with the tiny fork and felt tears start. She stepped in the direction Mini had gestured, and when she found the line, she blew everyone away from the table and said, “I would like some noodles, please.”

The woman who was tossing the noodles in the air smiled. “Of course, Aeryn. Congratulations on finding your mates. Or rather, letting them catch you.”

The woman tossed the noodles into one of the leaf cups and dashed some spices over the top. “There you go, big sis.”

Aeryn pulled her up and over the table with wind and crushed her in a hug while she sobbed.

“Aw, come on, big bunny, you are okay. I had to keep out of the way. You know why.”

Aeryn nodded and blubbered. Hands tried to pull her away from the woman in her arms, and she shoved back at them. Aeryn held tight to her little sister with everything in her while the years of separation spun through her mind.

Her sister rocked back and forth. “Okay, Aeryn. Enough. You aren’t wearing a bra, and I am drowning in your boobs.”

Aeryn laughed and let her little sister go. “Orla. How did you get here?”

“Oh, bunny, I have been here for two years. I have learned all about the food and herbs here. I wanted to be able to make you a proper holiday dinner.” Orla grabbed her cheeks and pulled her down for a kiss on her forehead. “Now, go calm your mates down because they look confused and worried. Is the link new?”

“Two hours ago.”

“Ah. Well, you go and cuddle with them. I will make you some more noodles.”

“I want them all.”

“No, bunny. You would get sick. You will get four, and then, I will resume my orders if someone gets out of the way.”

“You live here?”

“I live here. You can always find me here now. I came home, and I will stay here.”

Aeryn turned to Loken and Sohar. “I am sorry, but I haven’t seen my sister in five years. I missed her more than you can imagine.”

Orla added. “I had to hide from her, or she would never have left my apartment. I left a note and a bank account and took off.”

Aeryn was embarrassed. “She was always good at standing between me and the world.”

Loken added, “So, to get you to us, she had to leave you.”

Aeryn nodded. “I can be stubborn, and I really get attached to a routine.”

Sohar hugged her. “You feel better. You were all excitement and fear.”

“She’s here. She’s safe, and I can come see her whenever I want.”

Loken chuckled. “Whenever we are close enough to the harbour.”

Aeryn muttered, “WheneverI want.”

Orla laughed. “Stubborn. I am going to get on those noodles.”

Aeryn heard the hiss and sizzle of the spices in the wok and the heating of the pre-cooked noodles. Orla moved quickly, and the first batch was ready in under a minute. The next one was already warming while the spices heated.

Aeryn took the noodles with the tiny fork and ate them quickly.

Loken asked, “What is so special about this food?”

Orla said, “After she showed up at my place covered in blood and I got her into a shower, I made noodles. When she wasin school, noodles. When we celebrated, noodles, and when we finished talking to our parents in a video call. Noodles.”

Aeryn nodded. “We also celebrated every extra inch in my height, every time she collected enough money to buy me more clothing, and when I decided what I wanted to do in my life now that my life as a maritime authenticator had gone down the tubes.”

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