Sophia reached across the table and squeezed Emmy’s hand. “We want you to be happy and safe. That’s all we’ve ever wanted.”
No, they’d wanted her to be proper, polite, and asexual, but instead of pointing that out, she told her mother. “I’m both.”
The rest of the meal passed without stress or awkwardness. They talked about Emmy’s other classes, about Sapphire’s latest breakthrough with neural interfaces, about Hunter’s dig in Peru. Normal family conversation, as if they weren’t sitting in a tiny Alaskan town discussing genetic manipulation and unconventional relationships.
The check never came, because Zander had handled it ahead of time.
Emmy’s father didn’t like that at all.
“You arranged for my favorite dish, and you’ve handled our room at the B&B. You have to let me handle dinner.”
There was something in his tone — not quite forgiveness, but maybe acceptance. Or at least acknowledgment that Zander had been trying.
“Old friend, you are my guest, so of course I’m seeing to your comfort. I look forward to seeing you shortly, if you still wish to come observe the vampires making use of their captured quarry?”
When it was time to go, her mother hugged her first, and this time it felt less awkward. More like the hugs Emmy remembered from childhood, before everything got complicated.
“Call me,” her mother told her. “Once a week, at least. I want to know how you’re doing.”
“I will,” Emmy promised.
Her father’s hug was longer, tighter. “Be careful,” he said against her hair. “And if he hurts you—”
“He won’t,” Emmy said.
“If he does, tell me. I’ll handle it.”
Emmy pulled back to look at him. “I can handle myself, Dad. You made sure of that.”
He smiled. “I know you can. But you shouldn’t have to.”
Her mother hugged Spence next, warm and genuine. “Take care of her.”
“Of course,” Spence said.
She turned to Zander, and for a moment Emmy thought she might refuse to hug him. But then her mother stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him. “If you hurt my daughter, I will make you suffer in ways you can’t imagine.”
“Understood,” Zander said evenly.
Aaron’s handshake with Zander was perfunctory. They held each other’s gaze for a long moment, and Emmy wondered if her father had just telepathed some horridthreat to Zander.
But with Spence, Aaron’s handshake was warmer. “You aren’t who I would’ve picked for her, and yet, I’m glad she has you.”
“Thank you, sir,” Spence said.
Emmy shrugged into her parka and made sure everything was fastened, but outside, the cold still hit like a wall.
“Look up,” her mother said.
She did, and the stars were brilliant overhead, undimmed by light pollution.
“Enjoy the world around you, Emmy. I love you, and I expect those phone calls. Even better if they’re video. Now, get in the vehicle before you freeze.”
They did, and the last look she had was her parents walking back toward their B&B, two figures disappearing into the Alaskan night.
“That went better than expected,” Spence said.
“Sophia didn’t attempt to end me,” Zander agreed. “I’m counting it as a win.”
