We finish our meals, and my mother gets up to grab dessert. A staff member discretely clears our plates. She brings out an enormous chocolate cake. Valley and I both groan.
Ghost laughs, addressing me. “You’re a sucker for chocolate, aren’t you, Malishka?”
“You know it!” I exclaim, making happy humming sounds when a large piece is set in front of me.
I grab my fork, popping a bite into my mouth. My eyes roll back. This is heaven. The best chocolate I’ve had so far.
“Oh my God, this is so amazing,” Valley says brightly, and I nod with her, my mouth still full.
We finally get done, and my belly is about to pop I’m so full. We file back out into the living room, taking a seat. My mother steps away to grab the photos at last.
I'm so excited to see pictures of myself as a child. My mother sits next to me, arms heavy with albums. She sets them on the coffee table in front of us, opening the one on top, putting it between us.
“This is you at birth,” she points out a younger version of herself, glowing and holding a baby in the hospital.
“Wow,” I whisper, goosebumps popping up on my arms. My parents look blissful.
She goes through so many, showing me photos from my first few years. It's when she gets to my five-year-old pictures that my heart stutters. I remember this.
Phoenyxx
Age 5
“Mommy, look at me!” I’m swinging on our new swing set, pumping my legs as high as I can.
“Be careful, Carina,” my mommy calls to me.
I love the breeze on my face as I go faster. “Mommy, I can jump, want to see?” I yell into the wind.
“Carina,” she scolds, but I just laugh as I let go, sailing into the air for a minute before I land on the ground. I stumble, falling on my butt.
“Oops.” I say, sitting there for a second.
Mommy comes over and picks me up.
“Carina, you are such a brave girl, but you must be careful, alright?”
Mommy hugs me tight, kissing me on the head. I beam, loving the praise.
Tears freely flow down my face as I relay my memory to everyone.
Frost comes over, throwing his arms around me. “Killer, I couldn't be more thrilled for you.”.
“I love you, Frost.” I kiss his cheek. Then I look out at the others. “I love you all, so much.”
Sniffling sounds come from my family and guys and my best friend, all of us emotional.
Feeling more like myself now, I stand, and embrace my mother first, then I go to my father. I stare up into eyes exactly like my own, shivering. “I love you.”
He hugs me tight, rocking me for a moment. “Whew, what a whirlwind, huh?” he says, making me giddy with laughter. “Why don’t we call it an evening for now. You need time to process everything. I wish you could just stay here with us; your home. I do realize, though, you’re safer with Jax right now. Please take your time, Cat—I mean, Phoenyxx. Let Jax know when you want to come back.”
We all agree, and my parents walk us to the door. Razor scoops me into my arms, carrying me to the car. I let him, with no protest as I snuggle into him, inhaling deeply. He smells like fresh air and musk.
“How did it go?” Jax asks as we all pile in.
I tell him everything. He just nods in thought. “Let's head back.”
I can’t help but fall asleep on the drive back, safely held in Razor’s arms, Frost stroking my hair.
