Page 45 of Shattered Heir
When I got home, I took the time to press the rose inside of a book. I wanted to preserve it, but the thought of it drying out like the ones Shad had given me before, the ones that Cade hadtouched and moved around my room, made me sick. At least, that way, they would never be tainted by Cade.
“I am so glad, Emma. I know that with things how they are and with Cade being here, and with Shad—”
My smile slipped from my face, thinking about all of the problems that I still had. One small moment of a birthday celebration would not change the horror that was my life. I saw Ryker motion as if to have Mary stop talking. She put a hand over her mouth.
“What Mary is trying to say, Emma, is that we are glad you had a good day.” Ryker smiled at me, then looked at Mary.
“Yes, exactly!” Mary said, taking a drink of the milk that she had poured for herself earlier.
“Thank you, and I am glad that it is just us. I need to be with my family.”
Ryker beamed a smile, and Mary wiped tears from her eyes. For a few moments, we were silent. It was as if we were all remembering my parents, and how heavy their absence felt, especially on a day that my mom had always made such a big deal.
“Now gifts!” Mary said, shaking her head and wiping the last tears from under her eyes. I wiped a few stray tears away, too.
“I don't need gifts,” I moaned as Ryker pushed my plate from my hands and walked me into the living room, or more like pushed me.
“Hey, I wasn't done with that!” I complained as he set me down on the couch.
“Later, Em,” he smiled.
I folded my arms across my chest as Mary handed me a blue, wrapped box.
“Emma, your mother, she was my best friend. She was like a mother to me after our own mother died, and she always looked out for me. When she gave birth to you, she was so happy. Shewas beaming and laughing and kissing you over and over again—as was your dad.” I couldn't help the tears that fell down my cheeks. Mary sat beside me and pulled my face into her hands, wiping away the new tears. “I will always be here for you, Emma, just like your mom was always there for me. You remind me of her, in so many ways.” She smiled, and I saw my mother's smile there on her lips.
“You look so much like her, Mary,” I said softly.
“My dad always told us that we looked like twins, just five cycles apart.”
I laughed, and she wiped more tears away from my face. “I miss her, I feel like I never got to know her.”
“I know, but if you ever want to know anything about her, I am always here.”
“Thank you.”
“Now, open that gift.”
I smiled and ripped the blue wrapping paper off. I looked at the small wooden box in my hand and the lock that kept it closed. Mary handed me a necklace with a key, and I took it from her. I slid the small key into the lock and opened the box.
“Your mom placed all her most treasured things inside this box—all her Terran things, too,” Mary said.
I nodded and looked inside. There in the box was a small piece of paper with the words: “I love you, Ara,” and was signed by my dad. I moved the paper away and set it beside me on the couch. There was a picture. I lifted it up, and it was my mom in a hospital bed, smiling so wide with sweaty hair, and a crying baby was in her arms. I turned the picture over to see figures that I did not recognize.
“It is written in an ancient language. This means: ‘My purest love’.”
I cried then, and Mary held me. It was exactly what I needed and not what I would have ever guessed I needed. After I put theitems back inside the box, Mary locked it and put the long chain with the key around my neck.
“Always remember—you are loved, Emma.” Mary stood up and took the box. “I will go put this in your room. Happy Birthday, Emma.”
“Thank you, Mary.”
“Now, it is my turn.” Ryker sat beside me and handed me a bag. I took it and removed the tissue paper. “It isn't much, and I mean, Mary hit it out of the park with that last one. How am I supposed to top that?”
“You don't have to top anything,” I answered, shoving his shoulder with mine. I reached in and pulled out a golden bracelet. There was a small charm on it, and I moved it closer to my face so that I could see it better.
“It's a knight,” Ryker whispered in my ear, and I saw it then, a small intricate golden carving of a knight.
I laughed.
