Grandma laughed, “A skill all of us should have should the need arise. I’m glad you put it to good use. Don't forget to take care of yourself, Melanie Jane. You’re a person too. Being the eyes and ears for everyone is exhausting.”
“You need to take time for yourself as well. You’ve had a lot of big changes. Your family dynamic, your mate, your way of life, and you turn out to be an actual legend. It’s ok to give yourself some time to adjust.”
I snorted, “I really should start training.” Grandma argued, “You have training. You can fight better than most people I’ve ever seen. You don’t need magical goddess like powers to do that. There’s nothing wrong with taking time to adjust to the news.”
“You don’t always have to jump in full force. You can start with small things. There’s only so much your body and mind can take before you’re on overload. Take things one step at a time. Just try not to take steps back once you make them forward.”
Tears filled my eyes. I whispered, “I really missed you, Grandma Esther.” She hugged me tightly before saying, “OhLadybug, we were missing a piece of all our souls without you with us. We have missed you more than you could imagine.”
“The boys don’t express that or handle it well, but don’t worry I’m on the case. They will behave themselves. When Duncan comes home, he’ll speak their language. He’s the piece we are missing with that, but I know my little boy is coming home once he knows you’re here.”
I snorted, “All the men in our family speak their minds. I’m sure Uncle Duncan will come home, but I don’t know if he will stay.” He’d find out I was there and didn’t save his mate. Grandma Esther said, “That’s ok. I know he will stay. He has missed you so much.”
Grandma paused then added, “There’s a difference in feeling your feelings, speaking your mind, and taking those feelings out on someone who does not deserve it. We all would love for everything to be as it was, but that day will not be today or tomorrow.”
“Thankfully, we have centuries to get back to what we had as a family. Those boys need to remember they possess patience. Once Duncan is back, he will stay. Some of your cousins are in talks to transfer into this pack. I know Allison and Archer will be here to talk to you once they are back too.”
“You know, it’s ok to tell the family to rally and come around you. They would’ve. Nothing is healed in a day, Ladybug. Magic may have messed with our dynamic and hurtful words were exchanged for you. Ours weren’t hurtful in regard to us thinking you were talking to us, just terse.”
“The words were few and far between for us, but we held on for those times. Just like I know you held onto those awful letters saying hurtful things. None of us let go when it probably would’ve been easier on everyone. We held onto the scraps and that’s how I know we will be ok. I’m always here for you to come talk to.”
I wiped away a few tears whispering, “I remember… I mean that you always said that… before… I just really thought you’d never say it to me again...” Grandma kissed the top of my head saying, “My sweet little girl turned into a beautiful young woman while she went out and made the world her dance floor.”
“You did everything I ever thought you would and more. I knew, as did your grandpa, that those tinkering’s you were working on would change the world. Duncan told us all the time if you got the access to things you needed, you’d take everyone by surprise.”
I changed the subject, “Have you seen Grandma and Grandpa Haskins?” Grandma Esther snorted, “I fired a shot near both their heads, and some people have overreacted to that.” I gasped, “You what?” Grandma Esther replied, “I would’ve hit them if I meant it. It was a warning, that they aren’t taking.”
I reasoned, “They are mad at me.” Grandma Esther growled, “They are being cruel. All of us are upset and we all have the reasons that we are. The only way that will be resolved is by showing up. I won’t pretend my approach would be the same with all my grandpups, it wouldn’t.”
“You need to see us show up. So, here I am and will be because that’s what you need to see. Your remarkable brain is processing a lot of information, but that doesn’t erase the words you thought we said. The proof you were given it was us. You were a pup. We were adults and some people need to act like that.”
“Honestly, everyone remembers being a pup. You are not the one who should be coming to see everyone. We were the adults and that’s where it ends. I don’t care that you’re an adult now. You were traumatized and abused. Those two people are testing me.”
I snorted, “It’s ok… I honestly don’t expect to see them. Fake versions of you wrote letters and called sometimes… but theywrote me off. Of all the things the Ring got wrong… it is logical they got something right. So, it was the turning their backs on me.”
Grandma Esther said, “I won’t defend them. Others might but I won’t. I’m proud of you for protecting the innocent and the men from their own plans.” I laughed, “Grandma!” She laughed, “I love those boys, but sometimes I just don’t know what they are thinking. You’ll find that out.”
“Us women think differently than they do. That’s not bad, it’s just different. Sometimes, I’d swear those boys didn’t have the brains they were born with. My other piece of marital advice is to be specific. Your timeline and theirs are different.”
I asked, “What do you mean?” Grandma Esther smiled, “I asked your grandfather to take out the trash one morning before I left the house to go grocery shopping. He said he would. The thing was, I meant right then. When I came back the trash wasn’t taken out. I was so annoyed I just did it myself.”
“Later that evening your grandfather seemed to think we had trash Fairies. We had many little things like that before I blew up at him. He was stunned. Men. What can you do? I’ve learned if I want something done immediately, I explicitly give the man a timetable.” I laughed, “Yeah, that makes sense.”
Sierra came into the room with Abigail. My Grandma smiled and squeezed my hand, “Always be you, my little Ladybug. You shine even when people don’t want you to.” With that she left my office. Sierra commented, “I like her.” I acknowledge, “I do too.”
Sierra said, “You’re a lot like her.” I snorted, “She’s much smarter and wiser than I will ever be.” Sierra smiled. Abigail chimed in, “Ummm you are easily the smartest person I know.” I chuckled, “Thanks… but my dad is a genius too… and better with people. Anyway, let’s get going.”
We had time to drive. Egres cleared his throat when we got to my car. I told them, “Yeah… so Olivia said it was fine if you allcame… so you don’t need to be faded back or anything.” Egres smirked, “Her name is Olivia?” I answered, “Yes… so… see you there.”
I got into my car, excited to drive it. Sierra laughed, “I’m surprised you don’t drive more often.” I rolled my eyes, “No you aren’t. I don’t have the best luck with leisurely driving.” Abigail asked, “Uh what?
Sierra frowned, “Things could be different now.” I sighed, “No, they can’t. I have been in two VERY bad car accidents. Two… it’s ridiculous.” Sierra smiled, “Well, let’s keep it at two leisurely driving car accidents.”
Abigail said, “I mean, technically speaking from what Gage said both were Ring orchestrated. So, that’s not really a fair assessment of driving.” I rolled my eyes, “I’m one car accident away from saying I’ll only drive in chases and in pursuit of someone.”
Sierra laughed, “Well, you do run pretty fast.” I snorted and started the car. Abigail said, “Driving can be fun.” I replied, “Until someone hits me and ruins the present Xander gave me… and then I have to torture them in a gruesome way… because it’s a present…from Xander.” Sierra snorted, “I’d say she was joking, but she’s not.” Abigail replied, “I got that.”
I didn’t bother to lose who was following us since I knew Xander’s guard, Chason, KJ, and Fowler. It would be mean to shake them… when I had just told them they could come. Chason linked me, “Are we leaving the pack territory?” I replied, “Barely.”
