He gave me an exaggerated salute. “Finally decided to join the rest of the living, I see,” he declared.
“I’m not completely used to this magical life. Just because there are nights that I toss and turn or times when I can’t sleep for days since the change, I still get tired,” I said, teasing.
“Amateur.” Twobble rolled his eyes and set the crate on the table.
“Breakfast is ready,” Stella called from the kitchen. “Come and get it.”
My stomach growled again, and Twobble skipped the line, heading right in before me.
I chuckled and shook my head before glancing in the box. “Hey, that’s my spoon collection. How’d he get that?”
I reached into the box, noticed some of Celeste’s baby items at the bottom, and walked into the kitchen with a full heart.
“How in the world did you get this stuff, Twobble?”
He held a plate with his bony fingers and shrugged his slender shoulders. “What do you mean, how did I get it? I took your storage key, went to the storage unit, and grabbed some stuff to make your cottage feel like home.” He shook his head and bit a piece of sausage. “Obviously.”
Every single day, I grew a little more attached to my green friend.
“That’s really thoughtful of you, Twobble.”
“It’s not like you’ve had much chance to make this place home.” He polished off the first sausage patty.
I bent down and smooched his cheek, and he gasped, nearly dropping his plate. When I straightened, I noticed his cheeks were bright red, visible even through the green of his skin.
“Let’s not go overboard,” he muttered, trudging out of the kitchen.
“He’s fond of you,” Stella whispered.
“It does appear that way, and I’m particularly fond of him.” I smiled, remembering the first day he appeared at my door. I literally thought the divorce had made me lose my mind.
“I went grocery shopping for you this morning. Your fridge is stocked, the cabinets are full, and the recipe book is easily accessible.” Stella handed me a plate piled with scrambled eggs, sausage, and toast.
“You’re too good to me.”
“I just know you have a lot on your plate.” She smiled. “No pun intended.”
I chuckled and sat at the table with everyone.
A wave of gratitude washed over me as Stella set a mug of coffee in front of me.
“Thank you, not just for breakfast and coffee.” I glanced at Bella, Keegan, Stella, and Twobble. “To all of you for everything.”
Keegan arched a brow. “For what?”
“Not losing your minds when you found out I forgot about having a spell to change my dad back to size, or not telling you I would make him into a giant in the first place. You know, little things like that.” I took a bite of eggs and chewed quietly.
“It’s what we do.” Keegan’s lips pressed together, and he nodded.
“Well, thank you.”
Eventually, after the plates were cleaned and the hamper nearly emptied, a restless energy sparked in my veins again.
Bella was telling Keegan all about the family she left behind, and Keegan seemed genuinely interested, which was good. They needed a distraction.
And I needed a distraction from them.
“Guess I should go check on Dad,” I said, standing. “He was napping earlier, so who knows if he’s awake and wrecking the woods.”
