“I don’t know how you’ll all fit.”
I wanted to laugh with relief, but pulled the urge back inside me in case I offended her. It was such a tangent, and it was exactly the kind of worry Declan would have, too. How to manage the sleeping arrangements so we were all comfortable, and not judging the fact we were in a relationship in the first place.
It suddenly became very clear to me that the reason Declan chafed under his mum’s roof was that they were so similar. They were both caretakers but also both a little intense.
Sonny took a little step forwards. His clothes were very rumpled and his lips and cheeks were red with beard rash because Declan hadn’t shaved in the best part of a week. It made him look incredibly vulnerable.
“Are you okay with it?” he asked.
She gave a firm nod. “As long as you’re happy, I don’t mind. Is this a long-term thing?”
Embarrassed, Declan groaned, “Mum.”
Lilian said, “Well I don’t know, Declan. I don’t know about all these modern types of relationships. I want to know if it’ll be the three of you here for Christmas next year.”
“Don’t forget Easter,” Sonny reminded her.
She patted his cheek. “Of course not, Sonny. It’ll be nice to have you back.”
Sonny sniffled. “I’m so glad you’re happy, Lilian. I didn’t want to upset you.”
“Of course you didn’t. I can’t imagine anyone more worthy of Declan’s love than you. And Erik seems such a nice, steadyyoung man. He’s just what the two of you need. As long as you’re taking care of each other, I’m happy. Are you still going to live in the city?”
I decided this was where I needed to step in and make sure there was no misunderstanding. “We’re still deciding exactly how this will work, Lilian. But I want both Declan and Sonny to move in with me. As soon as we decide anything, we’ll let you know.”
“Very well.” She took a deep, steadying breath, and I could feel Sonny and Declan doing the same. “Why don’t you start making the supper?”
She gave Sonny’s cheek a last pat, and Declan’s shoulder, and then she left, closing the door behind her.
Perhaps she thought we wanted some privacy for more kissing.
Declan looked pale. I walked up to him and wrapped my arms around his waist, holding him steady and hoping he’d feel more supported. My tentacles rippled along my sides but I didn’t let them out. That was too risky. I’d been careless before.
“She took it well,” I said.
Sonny sniffled again. “She’s the best. I knew she wouldn’t mind if you were happy, Declan.”
“Yeah,” he said. Then he shook his head slightly, shaking off his shock. “Yeah, she is. She— I’m glad she doesn’t mind. I wouldn’t have given you up, anyway.” He looked over his shoulder to the closed door. “Do you think she really doesn’t mind or she was just putting on a good front?”
“I think she was surprised, but she will be fine.”
Sonny said, “Of course she’s fine with it otherwise she wouldn’t have put us on sandwich-making duty. Lilian takes her catering very seriously. It’s an honour to be left unsupervised in her kitchen, you know.”
I smiled. “Sandwiches? There’smorefood?”
Sonny gasped, “Ofcoursethere are sandwiches for supper. I’ll make the turkey and cranberry, you can do turkey and mustard, and Declan can make cheese and pickle.”
“Do you have room for any more food?”
“I do if it’s Lilian’s turkey and cranberry sandwiches. She makes the best cranberry sauce. Do you want to try some?”
“I’ll try it later, in one of your sandwiches.”
Sonny’s eyes watered again and he gave me a soppy look that had my octopus clenching with the desire to mark him as ours.
As Sonny started clattering round, getting out plates and bread and what looked like enough left-over turkey to make three meals, I faced Declan, feeling his warmth in my arms. “How do you feel about all this?”
He took a deep breath. “I think I’m okay. It all just happened so fast, you know? I-I’m glad she knows. I never meant to keep it a secret.”
