He did what now? My head jerked to Dave. He popped the turkey in his mouth and groaned.
“I am grateful for the yarn sale,” Sophia said. This was giving me whiplash. Maybe we could set up a “grateful meter.” Silly or serious—pick a lane.
Maggie tucked her hair behind her ears. “I am grateful to Cora for taking a chance on a scared teenager.”
My heart swelled.
Sebastian smirked. “I’m grateful for my father being an unaccepting bitch, which finally gave me the excuse I needed to leave that house and live my life how I want, without judgment.”
The wards in my head clanged, and the doorbell rang ten seconds later. That was quick, which meant it was my father oruncle, and they had decided to be polite rather than just invade my house, as they had both proven the wards were no obstacle. Unless it was… Nope. I refused to think about that right now.
I shoved my chair out and hurried to the door. I swung it open, and my father grinned at me, thrusting a golden wrapped box into my hands. “For my daughter.”
“Oh. We said no gifts, so no stress.”
He strode inside, and Lucifer appeared behind him. “I want nothing in return, Cora. A father should be able to give a gift to his daughter without receiving that look of suspicion.”
I shook the box gently. Something rattled inside.
“I wouldn’t do that too hard,” Lucifer advised with a quirk of his brow.
I frowned. “Do you know what it is?”
He nodded with a smirk before joining my father at the table.
I placed the box down on the front desk and escaped back to the dining room. Someone had pulled two chairs up, making room for the archangels, who were filling their plates with the feast set before them.
Hudson’s hand squeezed mine. “You invited them?” he asked.
I nodded. “I did.”
“That was awfully kind of you.”
Kind? No. But prudent? Yes. We had a god problem, and no one could convince me that gaining two archangel allies was a bad thing.
I smiled softly and noted he placed a little of everything on my plate, heavy on the stuffing and parsnips. Something settled in my heart that he knew what I would enjoy the most. My gaze fell to his plate. Did I know the same about him? I think so. Meat, roast potatoes, and honey glazed carrots were his favorites.
We fell into relaxed conversation and enjoyable food. I shouldn’t be waiting for the other shoe to drop, but I couldn’t help it. I glanced at the clock as my family and friends joked and smiled. This was everything I needed.
I glanced at Hudson.Love.
Then Rebecca and Sebastian.Friendship.
Maggie.Protection.
My father.Strength.
My aunts.Support.
My ghost.Adoration.
My uncle.Wit and humor.
My damn cat.Snooty indifference.
The wards rang inside my mind and through my chest.
Hudson frowned. “Someone is here.”
