Phoenix leans against me, her head on my shoulder. “This is nice,” she murmurs.
“It is,” I agree.
“I never thought I’d have this. A family. People who actually want me around.”
I kiss the top of her head. “They don’t just want you around. They love you.”
“I love them too,” she admits quietly. “Don’t tell them that, though. I have a reputation to maintain.”
“Your secret is safe with me.”
Luna starts fussing, and Ksenia picks her up. “I think someone needs a nap.”
“No nap!” Luna declares, her first clear words besides “Mama” and “Dada.”
“Definitely time for a nap,” Kharon says.
“I’ll help you put her down,” Ksenia offers.
As they head inside with a protesting Luna, Raven zooms over to take the now-empty seat.
“Auntie Phoenix,” she says seriously. “Can I ask you a question?”
“That depends on the question,” Phoenix says.
“Is Uncle Layden your favorite person in the whole world?”
Phoenix glances at me, and I can see she’s trying not to smile. “Why do you ask?”
“Because you look at him the way Daddy looks at Mommy. And Daddy says Mommy is his favorite person in the whole entire universe, even more than me, which I think is unfair but Mommy says it’s different.”
“It is different,” Hannah confirms. “I love you in a different way than I love your father.”
“But do you love him more?” Raven presses.
“I love him in a grown-up way,” Hannah explains. “And I love you in a mommy way. They’re both the biggest loves I have, just different kinds.”
Raven considers this. Then she looks at Phoenix again. “So is Uncle Layden your favorite grown-up love?”
“Yes,” Phoenix says simply. “He is.”
I feel something warm spread through my chest. Phoenix isn’t big on declarations. Her saying “I love you” still only happens on rare occasions, though she’s getting better at it. But hearing her tell my niece, in front of my whole family, that I’m her favorite person—it means everything.
Raven seems satisfied with this answer. “Okay. I just wanted to make sure, because you should only marry someone if they’re your favorite.”
“That’s very wise advice,” Phoenix tells her.
“I know. I’m very wise.” Raven pauses. “Daddy says I’m wise beyond my years, which I think means I’m smarter than other kids.”
“It means you’re too smart for your own good,” Abaddon calls from his end of the table.
“Thank you!” Raven beams.
“Thank you,” Phoenix says quietly to me.
“For what?”
“For pulling me back. From the dark. I never properly thanked you for that.”
