Chapter 799: Homecoming
Meira grinned at me like it was funny. And it was, in a way. She sat behind Dad's old desk-Ahbi's, too-and bounced a little in the chair.
"Comfy," she said. Winked.
Oh. My. Swearword.
Dad laughed, hugged me abruptly. "Meems, pumpkin," loved his pet name for her, though I liked cupcake better despite years of protest, "I'm sorry to do this to you."
"You've already apologized, Dad," she said, looking quite pleased with herself. Hard to remember she was only fourteen with that evil grin, hands rubbing together in expectation. "I'm going to do some housecleaning first. Then the real fun will start."
I shook my head, giggling. "Just leave a few of the planes standing."
She shrugged, inspected her nails. "We'll see."
"I take it the Node is fine?" It felt fine, Demonicon still intact at least.
"It was in balance long before Ahbi took up residence," Meira said. "She was only just hitchhiking anyway."
I looked up at Dad who sighed deeply, lines of anxiety leaving his face.
"You're crazy," I said. "You just had to do that out in the open, all public like."
Dad shrugged. "It's a demon thing," he said.
Mine grumbled her happy agreement.
"Girls, I was never the right one for the job." Dad met Meira's eyes. "Your grandmother must know it by now."
My sister nodded, sobering, rising to join us. "I think she did all along," Meems said, frowning. "But you were the only one she could trust."
"So no problems with Meems being part witch?" She'd made it as far as heir, but Rulers lasted centuries, longer. Which meant the demon court was at least placated knowing with Dad firmly ensconced as Ruler my sister may never have survived to take the throne.
Guess that little lie died a sparkly death.
Dad smiled, wry and sparkling. "Too late now," he said.
Was it ever.
"Besides, Meira is already a better Ruler than I ever was," he said. "I wasn't comfortable with the power. But she is. Aren't you, pumpkin?"
She wrinkled her nose at him. "Don't call me that."
I just had to laugh.
And so did Dad.
"I've finally figured out what's important." Dad sighed. "Took me long enough." His sad eyes met mine. "I should have just stayed, Syd. I could have. And now... well, now I get a second chance." He bit his lower lip, forehead wrinkling as he frowned in concern. "That is, if your mother will have my fool hide back."
My insides shivered with so much joy I thought I'd shake apart. Why were my cheeks aching?
Oh. I was smiling.
Smiling so wide it hurt.
Awesome.
Meira hugged us both, the three of us sharing our power, our love even as the door to my sister's office banged open and Henemordonin stalked through.
Sassafras trailed behind him, sashaying his fat cat way down the two steps and into the sunken living room area as my grandfather huffed and puffed.
No way he was blowing this house down.
Before he had a chance to lose his freaking mind, Sass leaped onto Meira's desk and wrapped his tail around his paws.
"Ruler," he said. "I believe your Second Seat would like a word with you." He paused, heavy and long for effect. Because Sass loved a good show, didn't he? "When you have time for such things."
Oh, snap.
Meira pulled away from Dad and me, face settling into a mask that looked so much like Ahbi I choked on a laugh.
"Indeed," she said.
"I demand-" That was as far as Henemordonin's huff went as he stepped toward my sister, looming over her.
She grew, quickly, until she towered over him.
"YOU DEMAND NOTHING." My whole body trembled from the volume of her voice. "But," she shrank again, cool and collected until she was her normal size, "you may ask." Paused. "And I shall consider your thoughts." Poked him in the chest with a giant fist of amber power. "But never forget, I am Ruler here. And you are Second Seat because I suffer it be so."
Snickersnort.
From the furious look on my grandfather's face, Meira had years of battle ahead of her.
"Father." Dad's soft smile was the gentlest expression I'd ever seen him wear. "She's the perfect choice, and you know it."
"Too young," Henemordonin grumbled.
"Perhaps." Dad turned, same expression aimed at my sister who smiled back. "But she has the finest Ruler who ever lived in her heart now. And I have no doubt the pair of them will lead Demonicon with honor and a passion I lacked."
My grandfather eased up. Nodded.
"And she has me," he said.
Like that mattered. But whatever made him feel better.
We said goodbye quickly, Dad's need to leave apparent in his sudden anxiety. I hugged my sister, sent her and Ahbi love even as I used magic to unlace the damned boots from my feet and kicked them free. Shrank to my human size, now a runt before her in clothes far too big.
"Those are my favorite jeans in your closet," I said. "Tell Pagomaris I want them back."
Meira grinned. "We'll see," she said.
I tore open the veil, Ahbi's absence making me sad a moment. Just a moment.
And then Dad and I were stepping through, into the basement, Sassafras at our feet.
I'd never seen my father so excited. He was actually trembling. Held one finger over his lips as he pointed at me, then the stairs.
Sassafras sighed heavily. "Oh, for the sake of the elements," he said. "Children." And bounded off, tail straight up even as I understood what Dad wanted.
I went upstairs, forcing myself to take the steps one at a time, schooling my features to calm though I had to force the grin from my lips about every two seconds.
I knew what was coming, even as the demon clothes bagged around me, dragging on the floor, the sparkling knee pads scraping over the tile floor as I entered the kitchen.
Found her touch, waiting in the living room with Gabriel.
Went to her, Dad hiding behind me as I walked into the sunlight and tried my best to act casual while my whole being begged me to just step aside.
Refused to ruin the moment for my parents.
"Hey, Mom," I said, waving a little, sleeve flapping and ringing as the spikes embedded in elbows knocked together.
She looked up, eyes rimmed in red, smiled a little. "Syd," she said. "You look silly, sweetheart."
I glanced down at myself, grinned. "Yeah," I said. "No time to change. I had to get home right away."
"How was the..." Mom didn't finish, eyes locked on Gabriel's sleeping face. He stirred as a tear drop hit his cheek. She wiped it away quickly, kissed the spot.
"It hasn't happened yet." Dad's deep voice broke the stillness and my eager tension.
Mom's head whipped up, eyes huge.
"But if you'll forgive me for being a thoughtless ass," Dad said, slipping around me with a quick hug of power in thanks, going to one knee at Mom's side where she sat on the couch, "the wedding can happen any time you want."
Choke.
Mom sobbed, deep and wrenching, a thin wail escaping her. I rushed forward, slipped Gabriel from her arms as she lunged for Dad, arms locking around his neck.
"Harry," she whispered. "What are you doing here?"
Dad leaned away, kissed her cheeks, her mouth, so intimate I was almost embarrassed, but refused to look away, beaming, my whole soul full of their joy. "I never should have left you, my love," he said. "And now, I swear, I never will."
Mom's sobbing started all over again as she clung to him. I left them then, Dad crooning to her, rocking her as he joined her on the couch, the pair of them curled into each other as though they longed to be one person.
I caught sight of Gram and Demetrius peeking out of their room, the sparkle in Gram's eye as she gave me a thumbs up. Closed the door with a wicked giggle.
I kissed my son who smiled at me, now awake and beaming.
"Momma," he said. "They're happy."
Even if I never met anyone again, my family was back together.
I could live with that.
***
