When he came back, setting a salad on the table, I grabbed a fork and held it out toward him like a sword. “Don’t even think about it.”
He laughed again, and I grinned at him as he walked past me.
“Here’s everyone’s drinks,” Tan said, carrying a billion glasses out, using his magic to keep them from falling. I only knew he was using his magic because most of them looked like they were floating.
“Thanks,” I said when he passed me some iced tea. I’d love to have a beer, but since we were leaving in the morning, Rome and I decided on no alcohol.
Dad came back out, this time with garlic bread, and said, “Dig in.”
Everyone made their plates, and I decided to go for the salad first. I’d eat a whole plate of that, then a whole plate of alfredo… possibly two. After I finished making my salad, I noticed three pieces of garlic bread sitting on a napkin beside my plate.
I glanced up at Roman. He was laughing at something my dad said, but I had no doubt he’d been the one to put the bread there for me. So sweet. He was always trying to take care of me.
Dinner was a lively affair, and I had a great time, laughing and teasing and joking around with my family.
As it wound down, Dad asked, “Will you two come home after the mission’s over?”
I blinked at him. “Where else would we go?” What was he even talking about?
Dad shrugged. “Are you… staying at the tower?”
Before I could respond, Roman said, “We’re staying here, Gar. Once we’re ready, Oak will move in with me.”
“We haven’t decided that yet.” I said it just to be a pain in the ass, and I had no doubt I was smirking.
Of course, Roman knew that, and he rolled his eyes. “My place is bigger. And we totally decided it the other day.”
I couldn’t help but chuckle at him before I faced Dad. “We’re not going anywhere, Dad. We’re staying here… with the rest of our clan.”
My dad sucked in a deep breath and looked like he was blinking back tears. “Your clan…” It almost sounded like a question.
“Yeah, Dad, our clan. My clan.”
He got up, walked to me, bent over, and hugged me. After a long moment, he whispered, “Thank you for that.”
I patted his back. “Thank you for bringing me home and for… for showing me what a real family is.”
He sniffled, and I sniffled back, making us both let out watery laughs.
“I love you, kid.”
“Love you too.”
After one more squeeze, he released me, sniffled again, and cleared his throat. “Do you guys want to go up to the roof? We have that fire pit we can roast marshmallows around.”
“I love roasted marshmallows,” Roman said, reaching under the table to grab my hand. “Let’s do it.”
Dad sent him a grateful smile, and we all cleared the table and headed up the staircase to the roof. I didn’t miss Tan giving Dada big hug, rubbing his back, and whispering to him. I loved Tan, not only for himself but for how he cared for my dad.
There were a bunch of lounge chairs and two-seaters around the fire pit, so Rome and I chose to sit together and share a blanket. The fire pit already had wood in it, and after I glanced around for a few seconds, I shrugged, opened my mouth, and called on my fire.
Both Remi and Bel jumped when a large flame whooshed out of my mouth and straight into the fire pit. Roman laughed at them, and I cut the fire off once the logs caught, and I grinned.
“A little warning next time,” Remi said with amusement.
I shrugged. “Eh, I’ll think about it.”
That made Bel snort.
