“You did it.” Logan lands a kiss to my cheek.
Gage plants a kiss to my forehead. “My queen.”
The sharp caw of a raven catches our attention, and we look up to find Holden and Serena circling overhead.
“Excuse me,” a light voice emanates from behind, and we turn to see my sister in all her sparkling glory, her likeness fully restored once again to be a twin of our mother’s, of mine.
I don’t hesitate as I run her way and wrap her in a strong embrace that lets her know exactly how I feel.
“Oh, Rory, I love you.” I pull back and sniff hard.
“I’m sorry once again for all the trouble I caused.” She shoots a look to Gage. “For enticing you.” She nods to Logan. “For tricking you.” A shy smile plays on her lips as she looks to me. “And for infuriating you.”
“Forgiven,” I say on all of our behalves. “Rory, you’re a hero.”
“She’s right,” Logan says. “If it wasn’t for you, things could have worked out a heck of a lot differently for our people.”
“Thank you.” Gage takes a breath. “And Rory, I apologize to you—for taking advantage of you while I was out of my head with grief over the state of my life. I knew better. I’m not making any excuses for myself.”
Rory shrugs. “I’m not thinking about it anymore.” She nods my way. “I want a real relationship with you, Skyla. With all of you. And I’m determined to take care of Sage for you while you’re occupied on Earth. I promise I won’t ruin her.” She makes a face. “Do I have your permission?”
“You bet.” I pull her in once again and bury my face in her golden curls.
“Hey, Messenger?” a voice calls out from a distance. “If you won’t come to the party, the party is coming to you.”
We turn to see Ellis Harrison and Giselle heading over, and behind them are Ezrina, Nev, Brody, Brookelynn, Chloe, Nat—and on either side of her Kate and Pierce, Emerson Kragger, Michelle, Lexy, Em, Bree, Drake, Ethan, Liam, Wes, Laken, and beautiful, beautiful Coop.
And we have a party. One hell of a party.
28
Gage
Moving day.
Logan, Skyla, and I worked our asses off all afternoon and well into the evening boxing up that old room at the Landon house that held so many memories for us all. We left the furniture and the bedding in the butterfly room where it was. But we took the clothes, the boys’ things, and moved them all over to Whitehorse, their true home where they belong. I cleared out my place, too. The house that Skyla and I bought with so much hope and anticipation of what the future would hold. Chloe even swung by to box up the few bits and pieces she left behind.
Skyla walks into the center of the living room with tears glistening in her eyes.
“So much has happened here.” She gives a little spin before looking to Liam. “And it looks as if a lot is going to happen here for you, too.”
Logan slaps a hand on Liam’s shoulder. “That’s right. You’re going to be a dad—twice over.”
Liam shrugs. “Hey, what can I say? I’ve got a lot of life to make up for.”
Chloe enters the room and sets a small box onto the coffee table.
“And boy, do you know how to live it and how to give it,” she says the words with a wink.
I try not to scowl at her. If anything, Chloe never wavered with her devotion to Celestra, and I did. For that alone, I guess I could admire her.
“So Liam”—my chest expands as I look at Logan’s older twin—“who’s it going to be? Michelle or Lex? I think you’ve vacillated enough. You’ve got kids on the way. Dude, you’ve got to step up and choose.”
“I did choose.” Liam widens his stance as he tips his head back. “And I chose neither Michelle nor Lexy.” He gives a little shrug as he holds his arms open, and to our horror Chloe floats into them.
“He chose me,” she says, slipping an arm around his waist. “And I chose him, too.” She dots a kiss to his cheek as Skyla gags and chokes on the words trying to crawl out of her throat.
“Liam,” Skyla pants. “Shekilledyour brother.”
