Page 105 of His Sunshine Baby

“Okay, you go to the cemetery and then straight home. Mind-link me if anything happens. All right?”

“Yes, mom,” I answer with a smile.

Daniel rolls his eyes.

“I’ll really have Mom scold you if you keep going, babe.”

“Your mom loves me too much. Anyway, time to go back to class, and you probably have some stuff to check with your microscope or whatever too.”

Indeed, Daniel has too much to do on his own to complain any further. We part ways for the afternoon, each heading back to our respective departments. I wish I could finish my studies soon, but I still have two years to go.

I’m lucky, though, my last class is canceled at the last minute. I text Danny to let him know and head back to the OpalMoon territory. It’s such a good day, I don’t even need the car and walk all the way back, heading to the cemetery.

I buy flowers before going, since my mom loved them.

To be honest, I hate going to the cemetery. It’s a cold, sad place. When I get there, there’s a heavy silence reigning over the tombstones. I walk a bit between the rows. I forgot how big the cemetery was. When I’m about to reach my mom’s tomb, I stop.

Reagan’s there.

She’s sitting in front of it, in her wolf form. I’m shocked. I had no idea she ever visited my mom. I step closer, and she notices me right away.

“Hi…” I say.

“Hi, brat.”

“You could be nice at least in front of mom.”

She growls a bit. Yeah, she probably doesn’t give a damn. I turn around to look down at the white stone. “Ivy Whitewood, dedicated wife and mother.”My adoptive mom, and the only mom I remember. Moon Goddess, I miss her.

I tear up anytime I come here. As if the memories submerged me like a wave, a whirlwind of emotions twists my stomach into knots, and I have to repress those feelings. I don’t want to cry in front of Reagan.

“I went to see your dad, too.”

“He’s the same since the accident.”

“Who’s paying the hospital fees?”

I roll my eyes. Seriously, why does she care about that now?

“I sold the house,” I confess.

I didn’t have much of a choice. My parents’ savings and mine were not enough to pay for Dad’s hospital bills and my mom’s funeral. It broke my heart, but I didn’t want to accept Clark or Joseph’s money. Reagan doesn’t say anything.

We both stay here in silence. I never talk to my mom, not even in my mind. I just pray she’s at peace, with the Moon Goddess watching over her. I’m not much of a believer, though.

After a while, Reagan walks away without a word. So much for comfort.

I don’t feel like staying too long, either. It’s a depressing place to be, and my mom’s not here. I change the flowers and clean the stone a bit until it looks good enough. With a silent goodbye, I walk away, hands in my pockets. It’s still early, but I promised Danny to go straight home. When I reach the cemetery’s entrance, I’m suddenly faced with Sylviana, who had just walked in.

“What a coincidence,” she says with a gentle smile.

She’s carrying a small bouquet of white lilies. Is she visiting someone’s grave too? She notices my eyes on her bouquet.

“Family,” she just says with a sad look in her eyes.

I suddenly feel very impolite, as if I had asked out loud. I look away from the flowers, trying to think of something to say.

“Don’t you miss them?” she suddenly whispers.

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