Page 87 of My Only Luna

“Surprise!” they shout, spreading their arms.

We, including Dad, who I now sense behind us, look around the kitchen; a large breakfast is laid out on the dining table with flowers and candles set down the middle.

Grandma Amelia’s freshly baked scones, croissants and tarts sit to the side with another basket holding freshly baked bread. Mama’s cakes and her delicious full English breakfast make my mouth water. And Indigo has made her banana and mango milkshakes that are so damn delicious, although she rarely makes them for us.

My eyes sting as I step into the kitchen and wrap my arms around my little sister, needing to hide my tears. She laughs, surprise clear in her voice.

“Wow, I wasn’t expecting a hug.” She then hugs me back, not just a pat, but a tight hug with a thudding heart.

I blink away the tears, watching as Elijah hugs Mama and kisses the top of her head and Dad hugs Grandma Amelia. My heart skips a beat. We’re hugging the ones we’ve always been at odds with.

Time seems to slow as I burn this moment into my memories, watching Elijah brush a fleck of flour from Mama’s black hair as he looks towards the table. “I am starved. This is the best going-away gift we could have gotten. Thanks.”

“I’m glad; you all need to eat well,” Mama responds, smiling as she leads him to the table.

And Grandma Amelia, who is a little red as she tries to blink her suddenly glistening eyes dry as she looks up at Dad.

“Now you better not go eating everything. Remember, it’s for everyone,” she scolds, but her voice holds no firmness as she tries not to smile. “Just you take care of yourself out there. I expect to see you back.”

“Of course, I promise,” Dad says, his smirk vanishing as he looks down at her, giving her a promise he will do his best to keep.

I now move back slowly and look at Indigo, giving her a small smile. “I’m honoured you made your awesome milkshakes for us.”

Her eyes glisten, but she shrugs. “Yeah, I was bored, so I thought why not…”

“She went to get the fruit yesterday and made sure she hadeverything,” Grandma Amelia snorts.

Indigo glares at her, blushing before she purses her lips. “That’s not-”

“Thanks,” I say softly, cupping her face. “Thanks, Indy.”

She smiles slightly. “Just… come back safe, ok.” Then her tears spill as she refuses to look at me, and I pull her into my arms again. I don’t care if we have a silent agreement to act like we don’t care. I don’t care if I’m mushy. I don’t care if I’ll be teased about this later.

She is my sister, my only sister, and she means the world to me.

“I will,” I whisper, unable to stop my own tears as she hugs me tightly. “I will, after I kill him, so even his shadow can never fall on us again.”

We part slowly and smile at one another. “You’re incredible. Remember it, because I won’t keep saying it.” She sticks her tongue out at me and I stick mine out at her before we both laugh and reach up to wipe away each other’s tears.

“I’m feeling jealous, Pixie,” Elijah says, as he motions to the seat beside him as he looks at Indigo.

I smile as she runs over and sits down and I take the last seat, which is beside Mama, as Dad is sitting beside Grandma Amelia.

Mama pulls the chair out for me, caressing my cheek as she moves my plate closer. “Now eat up.”

I nod, picking up my fork and knife as I look across at each and every one of them. Grandma Amelia pours tea for us all. Dad passes Mama the jug of fresh orange juice as he smiles at her, his eyes softening as he mind-links her something that makes her blush. Elijah and Indigo stuffing full scones in their mouths and trying to swallow them.

The dancing flames of the candles cast warm glows on their faces, a nice contrast to the pattering rain outside that can be seen through the windows.

My family has just grown stronger. There’s no tension, just happiness.

I feel Elijah’s eyes turn on me before he reaches over the table, licking his lips as he takes my hand.

I love you, Kitten.

I love you too, baby.

We smile at one another before we return to our food, but he doesn’t let go of my hand, his thumb brushing my knuckles as we all talk to one another before we have to leave.

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