Page 42 of Witch's Promise

Sean's question snapped Gabe back to the present. Right. The party. His dad's birthday. The reason they were all here in the first place.

"Right, yeah," Gabe said, shaking off the melancholy that had settled over him. "But before we head out there, I've got a better idea for these." He held up the bouquet, a spark of mischief igniting in his chest.

Sean raised an eyebrow, curiosity evident in his expression. "Oh yeah? What'd you have in mind?"

Gabe grinned, feeling a bit of his old self resurface. "Come on. I'll show you."

He led Sean through the house, hyper-aware of the other man's presence behind him. The familiar scent of leather and something uniquely Sean tickled his senses, bringing back a flood of memories he'd thought long buried.

"This place is fucking incredible, Gabe," Sean said, his voice low. "You've done well for yourself."

Gabe shrugged, uncomfortable with the praise. "It's the least I could do for my parents. After everything they've sacrificed for us..."

They finally reached the entrance to the kitchen, and Gabe paused, turning to face Sean.

"Here," Gabe said, handing the bouquet back to Sean. "I want you to give these to my mom."

Sean blinked, confusion evident on his face. "What? But I thought-"

Gabe cut him off with a shake of his head. "Trust me on this, okay? My mom she always had a soft spot for you. Even after everything that happened. I think it would mean a lot to her."

For a moment, Sean looked like he might argue. But then his expression softened, a flicker of something Gabe couldn't quite name passing across his face. "Alright. If you're sure."

Gabe nodded, feeling a sense of rightness settle over him. This was good. This was progress. "Wait here for a sec, okay? I'll go in and announce you."

He slipped into the kitchen, immediately spotting his mother at the center island, directing the chaos of last-minute party preparations with the ease of a seasoned general.

“Mom," Gabe called out, raising his voice to be heard over the clamor of pots and pans. "Got a minute?"

She looked up, a smile breaking across her face. "For you, always. What's up, sweetheart?"

Gabe took a deep breath, steeling himself for what was to come. "There's someone here who wants to see you."

Her brows furrowed, confusion evident in her expression. "What do you mean? Who-"

But Gabe was already turning back to the doorway, motioning for Sean to enter. "Come on in," he called out, his heart pounding in his chest.

Sean stepped into the kitchen, the bouquet clutched in front of him like a shield. For a moment, the entire room seemed to hold its breath. Her eyes widened, recognition and shock warring for dominance on her face.

"Sean?" she breathed, her voice barely above a whisper. "Is that really you?"

Sean cleared his throat, looking more nervous than Gabe had ever seen him. "Hi, Mrs. Reed. It's, uh, it's been a while."

And then, to Gabe's utter amazement, his mother crossed the kitchen in three quick strides and pulled Sean into a fierce hug. The bouquet was crushed between them, petals scattering across the floor, but neither of them seemed to notice.

"Oh, you foolish boy," She murmured, her voice thick with emotion. "Where have you been all these years?"

Sean's arms came up slowly, hesitantly, to return the embrace. Over his mother's shoulder, his eyes met Gabe's, a mixture of gratitude and something else, something deeper, shining in their depths.

Gabe watched the scene unfold before him, a whirlwind of emotions churning in his gut. His mother's arms were still wrapped tightly around Sean, as if she could make up for twenty years of absence with a single embrace. Sean's eyes, wide with surprise and something that looked suspiciously like relief, met Gabe's over his mother’s shoulder.

"Oh, Sean," She said, finally pulling back to look at him properly. Her hands cupped his face, examining him with the critical eye of a mother who'd spent far too long worrying. "You look...well, you look like you've been through hell, if I'm being honest."

Sean chuckled, the sound rough and a bit self-deprecating. "Yeah, well, life's been interesting."

Her eyes narrowed, and Gabe could practically see the wheels turning in her head. His mother had always been perceptive, sometimes unnervingly so. "Interesting, huh? That's one way to put it. You know, we've missed you around here. All of us."

The words hung in the air, heavy with implication. Gabe felt his chest tighten, a mixture of gratitude and anxiety swirling inside him. Leave it to his mother to cut straight to the heart of things.

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