Chapter 766: Cupcake
I didn't linger. Went immediately to Meira's quarters, shed the ridiculous outfit, slipped back into my jeans and food-coated t-shirt while my sister waited for me in her bedroom. Emerged to hug her.
"You call me anytime," I said. Leaned away. "Any. Time."
Meira sniffled, shrugged. "I'm okay," she said. "But that was harder than I thought it would be."
"Want to come home for the night?" I reached for the veil, felt Ahbi welcome me. Her sadness joined with mine. Odd to find her upset, considering it was her idea to make Dad Ruler in the first place. But my demon grandmother changed a great deal since her soul bonded to the Node keeping Demonicon's planes in alignment. Softened and became more human, if that was possible. Lost the deep, compelling drive of political maneuvering, which had existed most of her life.
Amazing I loved her way more dead than alive.
Meira shook her head, backed away with a firm smile. "I have to sit through the banquet," she said. A little too brightly.
"Do you want me to stay?" The need to rush home, to hold my son, almost kept me from speaking.
Leave it to my sister to let me off the hook. "Naw," she said. "The rest is just politics and formalities. I can handle it." Her face softened. "Go home," she said. "Hug that adorable boy. Tell him his Auntie Meems will be by tomorrow to visit and bring him treats."
"Done." I blew her a kiss. "Love you."
"Love you, too." Meira softened from her rigidity. "Thank you for being here."
I left her then, returning home, arms aching with need. Ahbi's parting squeeze barely registered as I bounded through the kitchen and upstairs to my room.
Charlotte grumbled about me being home so soon, but handed off my sleeping son before leaving me to sink into the rocking chair and snuggle him close.
Just grateful it was over.
I don't know if Mom sensed the shift or if Sass actually told her about Dad after all, but the next morning she hugged me. Kissed me gently.
"I guess I should go back to work," she said, eyes bright with tears.
And left.
I could tell she was so upset to have to move back to Harvard it was killing her.
And immediately contacted her, promised I'd bring Gabriel to visit so she didn't have to do all the traveling.
A lot, she sent.
I laughed. As often as you want.
Now that we knew he could travel safely in the veil, I had no problem making such a promise.
I think Dad was waiting for something like this to happen. Within hours of Mom leaving, the veil parted and he stepped through into the diamond effigy still in our basement. I finally got to hug him, felt the tension ease out of him as he relaxed, human face as handsome as I remembered.
"Syd," he said. Kissed my cheek. "Hi, cupcake."
"Hi, Dad." I led him by the hand up the stairs and into the kitchen where Shenka bounced Gabriel on her knee. Smiled at my father, rose with the giggling boy, and handed him off to his grandfather.
Seeing Dad look down on Gabriel with so much love made my heart crack. I had to turn and run out of the kitchen, standing in the back hall, sobbing silently. Yes, he was still my father. But he should have been with Mom.
Should have.
Dad didn't say anything about my breakdown, instead spending the afternoon outside in the yard with Gabriel and me, playing in the grass and being a fabulous grandfather. By the time night fell and Dad rose, he looked the happiest I'd seen him in a long time.
Didn't last. The moment we descended to the basement, Dad turning in place where his statue stood only a few hours before, his face crumpled as he bent to kiss Gabriel's nose.
"Syd," Dad choked, "next time, only marry for love. Promise me."
And left in a rush of power. Leaving his cold and grief-stricken statue behind.
Heartbreaking. I stood there, staring at him a long time before turning to grab a wrinkled sheet from a box long left unpacked.
Covered him with it in a smooth toss guided by magic as Gabriel watched.
I just couldn't stand to see my dad like that.
As I carried my son up the stairs, heart hurting for my father and mother, I caught the sound of whispering. Followed it through the kitchen, into the hall. Spotted Gram and Demetrius outside her door. Realized I hadn't seen much of the pair of them lately. Almost spoke up.
Until Demetrius leaned in and kissed Gram.
Zing.
I stared like an idiot as they slipped into her room, firmly closing the door behind them. Almost choked. Would have if Gabriel didn't reach up and touch my lips with his fingertips. Shenka appeared beside me, giggling.
"What," she said. "You're just noticing now?"
I turned on my second. "I knew they were... it's just... seriously?" Yes, Gram was a woman. Of course. And from the moment Demetrius returned, it was clear they loved each other.
But... she was my grandmother.
"You just mind your own business," Shenka said with a wink.
My grin took me by surprise. "Wouldn't dream of interfering."
Nice to know someone in my family had a happy ending.
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