“Don’t get too excited. They’re definitely different.”
Crescent leaned forward on the couch. “You think he couldn’t tell just from our names? Come on, Moon. Be smarter than that.”
“I think your names are fucking awesome.” Olivia chimed in. She’d been quietly observing for a while, grinning the whole time. “I mean, come on, I wish my name was that cool.”
Crescent and Olivia took off from there, going back and forth on the woes of our names. Elio chimed in at some point, describing the meanings and origin of everyone’s name in the room, because he was cool like that.
It’d been a long day. A very long day, and we still had what felt like a hundred boxes left to unpack at some point. But I was happy. Happier than I ever could’ve imagined possible only ayear ago. I’d just had to wait—and oh, how fucking worth it that wait was.
Chapter Thirty
There wasa metal plaque right next to the doorbell by the front door of Moon’s parents’ house.
Has the universe spoken to you today?
Welcome to the Millers’ house
Mom & Dad
Moon
Crescent
Elio
Star
I smiled at it as Moon opened the door, grabbing my hand to guide me inside. They lived further out from the city, surrounded by more trees than neighbors or anything else. There was so much land around the house, I wondered what they did with all of it.
Crescent and Elio were already sitting on the living room couch when we walked in, talking about something calledOne Piece. I gathered it was some kind of show from how they were talking, but they barely even looked up to say hello.
Who I assumed was Moon’s mom came in from the kitchen with a big, comforting smile on her face. It honestly reminded me of my mom’s. “Oh, Emerson! It’s so nice to finally meet you. I’ve heard so much about you from everyone except the son who’s dating you. How funny is that?” I held my hand out to shake hers, but she pulled me into a hug instead.
My first mom hug in decades. I couldn’t help but melt in her arms, bending down to accommodate her shorter stature. Mom hugs were just different. They were gentle, kind, and full of love for everyone, no matter if they were theirs or not. Hers was no different. She didn’t pull away, even though we’d gone past the normal amount of hug time for two practical strangers, and there was so much love in her hold. So much warmth.
“It’s nice to meet you too, uh…” I trailed off, finally breaking our hug. I never did ask Moon what their names were.
“Just call me Mom, honey. We’re just Mom and Dad—no need for the formalities.”
Just Mom and Dad. Ah, fuck, I really didn’t need to cry right now. Moon shuffled in closer to give her a hug, pressing a kiss to her cheek.
His dad came out of the kitchen next, the same kind and warm smile on his face. “Well, hello. Moon, you look really good.” He held his arms out, hugging Moon first before wrapping me up in a tight, crushing Dad hug. “Good to meet you, son.”
My first dad hug in decades, too. It felt the same as I remembered it. He did the same thing Mom did, not letting go until I was ready, patiently waiting for me to regain my bearings and come back into the life we were currently living, rather thanthe life I wished I was still living, where my parents were alive, and Harrison was still happy.
When I finally pulled away, I tried to pretend like I wasn’t having a complete breakdown in my head. “It’s good to meet you, too. Moon said we didn’t need to bring anything, so we came empty-handed for dinner.”
“Oh,” Mom shook her head. “Don’t worry about that. We’ve cooked enough for all of us. Star is in the dining room setting the table right now, actually.”
Dad turned his head to Crescent and Elio. “Boys, let’s head to the table.”
Crescent never took his arm away from around Elio’s shoulders, keeping him close as we all followed into the dining room. The scent of lavender filled the room, a stick of incense burning on the kitchen countertop nearby, sitting along with what looked like two different types of crystals. There were seven plates set around the table, but only six matching chairs. One of them was black metal instead of wooden, like the rest of them.
Moon pulled out a wooden chair, gesturing for me to sit in it. “My parents have had to buy more and more chairs over the years to accommodate our ever-growing family. They’ll have to get a new one for you now.”
“Oh, yeah.” Elio was waiting while Crescent filled his plate with food. “They had to get me one when I moved in.”
Mom shoved a bowl of green beans into the center of the table. “I’m not sure if they make the same ones anymore. I may have to buy a different kind, or your father will have to paint one. Not that I mind, of course.”
