By the time I make it downstairs, the house is already in chaos.Mason and Jake are arguing about something while Sophie tries to mediate.Emma has Lily on her hip, both of them watching the older kids with identical expressions of exasperation.
Hades stands at the stove, flipping pancakes like he's been doing it his whole life.He catches my eye when I enter and gives me a small smile.Checking in without making a scene.
I nod.I'm okay.Or as okay as I can be.
"Aunt Evangeline!"Lily wiggles free from Emma and runs to me, her small arms wrapping around my legs.
I bend carefully to hug her back, mindful of my still-healing ribs."Good morning, sweetheart."
"Uncle Hades is making pancakes!The kind with chocolate chips!"
"Is he now?"I meet Hades' eyes over her head.He shrugs, looking pleased with himself.
"They asked nicely."
"You're spoiling them."
"That's the plan."
The domesticity of it hits me sideways.This is our life now.Pancake breakfasts and sibling squabbles and a man who looks at me like I'm everything.
How did we get here?
Mason appears at my elbow, his sixteen-year-old face serious."You okay, Aunt E?You look tired."
Smart kid.Too smart sometimes.
"I'm fine, honey.Just didn't sleep great."
"Bad dreams?"
I hesitate, not wanting to lie but not wanting to burden him with the truth either."Sometimes.But I'm working on it."
He nods slowly, like he understands more than he should.Maybe he does.These kids lost their parents violently.They have their own nightmares to contend with.
"If you ever want to talk," he offers."I'm pretty good at listening."
The lump in my throat makes it hard to speak."Thank you, Mason.That means a lot."
Hades calls everyone to the table.We settle into our seats, the kids chattering over each other, hands reaching for plates.It's loud and messy and perfect.
This is what we're building.This family, this life.And I refuse to let fear steal it from us.
After breakfast, Hades helps me clean up while the kids scatter to various activities.Jake and Mason to video games, the girls to the backyard.
"Social services called," Hades says, his voice carefully neutral."They're sending someone today.Final home visit before the judge signs off."
My stomach clenches."Today?"
"Yeah, at two."
I glance at the clock.That gives us four hours to prepare.To make sure everything is perfect, so they have no reason to deny us custody.
"We'll be fine," Hades says, reading my expression."The house is ready.The kids are happy.We've done everything right."
"And if they decide we're not suitable?That a biker and his girlfriend aren't appropriate guardians?"
"Then we fight.But it won't come to that, Angel.I promise."
