Page 67 of Homecoming

“Oh. Wow.”

“Yeah. As soon as I woke up, I panicked, and I was out of there, literally. From there, I had no idea how to find him. I couldn’t remember details, and eventually, he faded into a dream until I found out I was pregnant. Then, I looked everywhere, casually, and focused on keeping myself healthy. Luna and Nora helped with that.”

Orla smiled. “I wonder if they will commute all the way to the islands.”

“You have your alpha and your delta; you are fine.” Jane smiled. “Your future is bright.”

Serin came and nudged them. “Time for the ladies to dance. Let’s go.”

They took up the dance floor, and Aeryn took point. They could get away with not being as graceful, but the audience was no less appreciative. Belle smiled and watched from the comfortable seating that had been arranged for her.

Jane was cheered on by Terro, and he ran up to dance with her. She scooped him up and carried him on her hip.

Orla smiled at the sudden feeling of home and companionship. This is what weddings were supposed to feel like and rarely were. This was a celebration.

The night turned into tales of Orla as a child, Ligo’s adventures, and Iro’s instinctive comforting of patients in waiting rooms, as well as his skills at tracking creatures through the jungle.

Orla chuckled. “Noted.”

Iro kissed her cheek. “You aren’t one to hide in the shrubs.”

“No. I tend to punch my way out of things.”

Ligo nodded. “And we are grateful for it.”

She leaned her head against his shoulder and sighed. “I just wish I knew where that seventh guy was.”

Iro shrugged and looked to Loken. “Do you know where he was?”

“He might have been in the jungle past the town. Might have been crunchy. Who can really tell these things?” Loken smiled with an innocent expression as he offered Aeryn some more shredded pork.

Aeryn opened her mouth and shrugged. “Might have been tripped by wind and water. Who can really tell with these things?”

Sohar chuckled. “Might have happened while we stopped to shop for a bonding gift.”

Orla smiled. “That guy’s disappearance is gift enough.”

Ligo chuckled. “Don’t say that. We can get some cursed gemstones from Sohar if we play our cards right.”

Sohar laughed. “I was doing that anyway, minus the curse.”

They chuckled. The casual mention of a murdered kidnapper eased under teasing and laughter.

Orla sat and watched the moon rise. She glanced at her sister. “The pathway home is a twisted one, but we got there in the end.”

Aeryn grinned. “We did. It was weird, don’t get me wrong, but we got there.”

Orla leaned over, and Aeryn took her hand with a squeeze. Serin lowered her phone and sighed. “Perfect ending to Aeryn’s video.”

Aeryn chuckled. “I forgot about that.”

Jane walked over and kissed Orla’s cheek with a sleeping Terro on her hip. “Call me soon. When you have had time to breathe.”

“Take care of my little dude.”

“Of course. That’s my job.”

Serin grinned. “Come on, Jane. We need to get the little man into bed. Belle as well.”

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