Neptune follows them from room to room, tail low but wagging, circling every suitcase, unwilling to settle while there’s still activity happening.
I keep busy in the kitchen, rinsing mugs that don’t really need washing and wiping down counters already clean, listening to their voices fill my home.
A knock sounds at the door, and when I pull it open, Aiden stands there with an easy smile, hands already reaching for the closest suitcase.
“Figured you might need an extra set of hands,” he says.
April lights up immediately. “See? This is why we like you.”
I smile, stepping aside to let him in. He moves through the room with quiet efficiency, lifting bags with ease and carrying them out to the truck before anyone even asks, my sisters chatting around him as he goes.
Neptune’s focus shifts instantly, tail going wild as he plants himself at Aiden’s boots, and he bends down briefly to scratch behind his ears before grabbing another suitcase.
Watching him slip so easily into the middle of it all does something strange to my chest, the way he just fits. There’s no hesitation, no awkwardness, like he’s been part of this rhythm longer than a few weeks.
Outside, the air feels cooler than it did earlier, crisp against my skin as we carry everything to the truck. Aiden loads the heavier bags into the back while April pretends to supervise, offering completely unnecessary advice.
“Careful,” she says dramatically. “That one contains large amounts of blueberry jam.”
He laughs under his breath. “Got it.”
The last bag is tucked into the truck, and with nothing left to load, the reality of goodbye settles quietly between us, heavy enough that none of us rush to move right away.
“Wait,” April says, glancing toward Aiden’s house. “I want to say goodbye to Uncle Mike before we go.”
Aiden smiles immediately. “Come on then,” he says, nodding toward the house. “He’d love to see you before you leave.”
June grins and turns toward the lawn, and I follow with Neptune at my side.
Inside, Uncle Mike sits in his usual chair by the window, and the moment he sees us walk in, his face lights up.
The goodbyes stretch into hugs and laughter and promises to come back. April hugs him first, telling him they’ll be back soon, and June follows right behind her, smiling as she hugs him again.
“I’ll send that jersey I promised as soon as I get home,” she says.
He chuckles. “Make sure it’s signed.”
“No worries, Uncle Mike,” she shoots back. “It’ll even have Rogue’s sweat on it.”
His laughter fills the room.
When we step back outside, Aiden walks us to the truck, waiting by the door while my sisters hug him tightly before climbing in. April points a finger at him with mock seriousness.
“Take care of our sister,” she says.
His gaze shifts to me, soft but steady. “I will.”
The drive down Highway 101 feels slower. The coastline runs alongside the road, and every few minutes one of them gasps or points at something new, both of them talking at once about how beautiful it is, already planning all the places they want to visit next time.
“I’m coming back immediately,” April declares.
“I sure hope so,” I say, smiling to myself.
When we reach Newport Municipal Airport, the private charter is already waiting, small and sleek against the open stretch of tarmac. A couple of staff members step forward to unload the bags for us, giving us nothing to do but stand there and let the goodbye stretch a little longer.
“I am so proud of you, May,” April says as she hugs me, holding on tighter than usual. “You’ve gone after your dreams, and now look at you.”
“Thank you,” I tell her, forcing lightness into my voice even as my throat tightens.
