Page 257 of His Sunshine Baby

To my surprise, someone opens the door almost immediately.

“Hey, beautiful.”

“Levi? What are you doing here?”

He hugs me quickly, and shrugs.

“Patrol duty, and Ben mind-linked me to say you were on your way here. So, how have you been? Your shoulder?”

I nod and show him.

“I’ll have a nasty scar, but it’s doing well, for a slow healer.”

“Good,” he says with a smile, “but I’m still going to rip that damn witch apart for what she did to you.”

“Alright,” I laugh, “but you’ll have to share.”

“Elena?”

Behind him, Orpheus and Chris just appeared at the same time. Chris is already smiling from ear to ear. My cousin runs to me, hugging me tight with his arm.

“Hey, easy! Seriously, how much did you eat, Chris, you’re as strong as a bear!”

He laughs while letting me go. Shit, he grew up too, and he’s clearly been working out!

“I didn’t stop training just because you were gone! Our training got even harsher since Isa took over. We almost missed you!”

“Haha, very funny.”

“He’s telling the truth though,” chuckles Orpheus. “Isabella is one tough trainer. Welcome back, Elena.”

I hug him too. Orpheus and I were never very close to begin with, but I don’t think he’s the type to be close to anyone. He’s the typical workaholic introvert.

“Is Clark…?”

Orpheus nods, pointing at the back of the house. I follow him into the large living room.

To my surprise, I start tearing up as soon as I spot him, sitting on the couch with a frown, reading some document. Hearing us walk in, he turns his head to us.

“Orpheus, do you have the…”

He goes silent when he notices me in the middle of the little group. His mouth and eyes stay open for a few seconds while I’m trying hard not to cry. I didn’t think I would be thrown into such disarray once I saw Clark, but I can’t stop it. I even try to look away for a second, and one of the boys rubs my back gently.

Without either of us saying a word, Clark stands up and walks up to me. I have no fucking idea what to say now that I’m here, but before I can think of something, my godfather suddenly hugs me.

“Moon Goddess Mother. I’m so sorry, baby.”

It’s too much, I’m crying buckets already. Damn him. I missed my godfather more than I thought, and I can’t help but hug him back. His huge arms are covering all of me, and I feel his hand gently caressing my hair, like a child.

“I’m so sorry Elena, I was wrong… This was all wrong…”

“Clark, it’s over now, so…”

“No, Elena.”

He grabs my shoulders, looking at me with a very serious expression and red eyes.

“It was my fault. Entirely. I’m your godfather. I should have protected you all the way, and I didn’t. You did nothing wrong. I should have told them to fuck off, and never, ever agreed to your banishment. I know that now.”

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