Page 137 of Lotus

A snort reaches my ears as her forehead drops to my chest, fingers gripping the fabric of my t-shirt. A sigh escapes, and her voice kisses the front of my chest. “I feel better.”

“You do?” My hands smooth her hair back, chin resting atop her head. “Mentally?”

A nod. “He’s home. We’re all home.”

Home.

Sydney and Alexis have temporarily moved in with us while her own house acquires renovations. It’s a lengthy process, due to the fact that the master bedroom was resorted to ruin and ash. Luckily, the fire was snuffed out before the flames spread too far and caused more damage throughout the rest of the interior.

And I have no complaints having Sydney in my bed every night.

Even Athena has taken to her, and to Alexis as well.

Alexis, on the other hand, tends to avoid the mischievous raccoon as often as possible. She can usually be found hiding in Gabe’s room beneath his bed or behind the sofa. I’m hopeful the two animals can form a bond one day, seeing as they will be lifelong roommates.

Gabe pushes through the front door, Tabitha trailing behind him, and Sydney fidgets beside me as her breath hitches at the sight of him.

He’s our hero.

Lorna, too. The neighbor woman ran next door to fetch Gabe, alerting him of the near-fatal circumstances. My brother didn’t think twice before grabbing his pocketknife and jumping into the flames to rescue us. Neither of us would be here right now if it weren’t for their quick thinking and courage.

“Thanks again for everything,” Gabe murmurs to Tabitha hovering in the doorway, her coat long and black like her hair. She has a lovestruck look in her eyes as Gabe cups her face between his palms and leans in close, kissing her forehead, nose, and landing on her pink lips. “You’ve been my rock.”

Tabitha closes her eyes, her fingers curling around his wrists while her smile blooms brighter. “I’m just so glad you’re okay.”

It’s an intimate moment we have witness to, and it’s a familiar intimacy—the kind I’ve grown to yearn and crave. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime treasure, a true gift, a falling star breaking away from all the others and flying free. I smile right along with them.

“Give Hope a fist-bump for me,” Gabe teases, planting a final kiss to her hairline and pulling back with a wink. “I’ll call you tonight.”

A charmed nod is her reply. Tabitha gives us a friendly wave as we gaze down at them over the railing before she turns leave and Gabe closes the front door behind her, hesitating with his hand pressed to the khaki-painted steel. Head bowed, stance tight with emotion, we wait for him to face us. He’s collecting his thoughts—reining in the assortment of feelings that are surely running rampant through him.

Sydney looks dizzy, nearly about to tumble right over the metal railing, so I place a steadying touch upon her shoulder, giving her a reassuring squeeze.

Gabe finally spins in place, letting out a hard breath. And when his eyes dance between us, unreadable at first, a grin breaks free and those eyes twinkle with affection. “You assholes owe mebig time.”

I feel Sydney’s sigh of relief before I hear it. She runs toward him as he stalks up the staircase, allowing him to scoop her up into a one-armed, elevated hug when he reaches the top.

“I’m thinking free taco dip for life,” Gabe says, shooting me a wink over her shoulder when the soles of her feet finally touch back down. “I’d add to that menu, but I’m pretty sure that’s the only thing you can make.”

Sydney swipes at her falling tears, a laugh slipping. “You can’t pretend you didn’t love my nipple cakes.”

“Pleading the fifth on that one.” Gabe releases her, still smiling, and moves over to me. “Andyou, big brother. I’m thinking maybe you could draw me into one of your comics as this super powerful demigod who radiates molten good looks and sexual mastery.”

His ensuing eyebrow waggle has me pulling him into a hug, and I’m uncertain if I want to laugh or cry, but I suppose that’s the point. I’m careful not to make contact with his injured arm, where healing wounds poke through the neck of his t-shirt, traveling upward and fading as they reach his jaw. “I’m relieved that you’re all right, Gabe. I’ll spend a lifetime thanking you for your bravery.”

He chuckles against my shoulder. “Considering you have more lives than Sydney’s cat, you’ll be a busy guy.”

Alexis mews from the armrest of the sofa as if she knows we’re talking about her, and I move back from the embrace. “Alexis has faced numerous deaths?”

“There’s been a consistent curiosity with moving vehicles.” Sydney clears her throat. “And an incident with a snow blower.”

“Oh.”

Another knowing mewl.

The three of us make our way into the living area and spend a great deal of time just sitting in the comfortable silence—the profound evidence of our survival. Sydney brings out taco dip at one point and our conversation transitions from laughter and jokes to tears and disbelief, then reverts back to the effervescent atmosphere. Sydney sits between us on the sofa, her hand in mine and her head perched on Gabe’s healthy shoulder as we reminisce and commiserate together.

As the afternoon rolls in, Sydney pulls out her cellular phone and types out an electronic message. “There’s one more person who needs to be here,” she tells us softly.

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