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If you ever find this, you should know there are good people on Earth. He’s worth knowing. He’s worth remembering. And when the world has decayed and all I’ve ever known has disappeared in time, you should know the very best of humankind is him.
Knelt behind me, Farrow has a calming hand on my neck. He might be my brother’s husband, but he’s been a friend to me—and it’s nice…it is really nice having him here.
“You left out an important part.” Farrow breathes angrier, shaking his head harder. “I didn’t.” “You forgot to tell me he’s like your brother.”
“I would’ve liked to know,” my dad says just as quietly. “It would’ve meant something to me.” “We didn’t grow up together,” Farrow reminds him. “Neither did me and my brother. I met Ryke the day I turned twenty-one.” Realizations wash over me about the same time that Farrow’s expression changes shape. I think we’re both understanding just how much this would’ve meant something to my dad. He loves Ryke to his deepest, rawest core, and I wonder if he’s reevaluated everything Farrow has ever said about Donnelly.
“I would’ve liked to know,” my dad says strongly. “It would’ve mattered. And I don’t know why it is, but the bonds we make matter to other people. I know that Ryke and Rose’s friendship matters to me. Connor and Daisy matter to me. Willow and Daisy matter. Garrison and Lily matter. Just like you and Donnelly are going to matter to me. Hell, you both may even annoy me.” He grimaces but stares deeper into Farrow. “But these relationships mean something to the people who love you. And I love you like a son, and I’m…I’m sorry I didn’t take your word beforehand. I’m sorry I’m an ass. I’ve been an
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Farrow runs a finger over his lip piercing. “You said you’re going to protect him, Lo. So if your fucking plan is to send him back to South Philly to speak to his father, you better not hang him out to dry. Or else I’ll have a problem with you.” Dad wears another half-smile. “Spoken like a true brother.”
“As am I.” He shifts his weight, his sarcasm replaced with real gravity. “I’m going to protect him. I promise you that.”
“Just don’t give up on each other,” Lily suddenly says, and I realize she’s gazing at the last sight of Luna too. “Even if it’s hard to wait it out. It’ll be worth it in the end.” Before I can reply, she gives me a warm smile. “Night, Donnelly.”
“I’m really glad we’re still friends.” I hate this so much. “Me too, sad alien.”
He looks to the left, gathering his thoughts, then comes back to me. “We can do everything alone, you and me. Because we have done everything alone, Donnelly. See, I always thought our independence was a strength.” He pauses. “But it’s not always one. We’ve just learned how to live without the things we really need.” It strikes me hard.
“Noted,” I say lightly. Maybe too lightly. He shakes his head a few times. “You’re something else.” “Something hot.” I put it out there. He touches his chest. “Do I look like your girlfriend?” “Nah, ‘cause I don’t have one.” “Music to my ears.” “Knew we didn’t have the same music taste.” Lo begins to smile, and so do I.
Ripley chews on a strawberry, staring intently at me. He’s a good listener, just like his dads.
“Your truck? You can drive?” Ripley nods. Donnelly whistles. “Look at you. You’re already way cooler than your papa. You tell him Uncle Donnelly said so, yeah?”
Still, Thatcher produces the words, “Thank you, Donnelly.” I lift my shoulders. “Happy to be there.” I mean it. Being able to witness a new life coming into the world has reminded me why I love existing.
“Maeve. It’s Irish,” Jane says. “It means she who rules. And in Irish mythology, she’s a goddess.” Irish. Because of me. My gaze clouds with more emotion, and I look down at Maeve Moretti. A baby goddess is the perfect addition to the Cobalt Empire—and to Jane and Thatcher’s new family. I sniff hard to keep tears at bay. “I think she’s already living up to the name.” Carefully, I hand her back to her mom. “It’s beautiful, Jane.”
It seems like too many people in my life are vying to be Donnelly’s number one thought, his number one concern, and I understand the yearning. He has this rare ability to make you feel like the greatest, most powerful version of yourself. Being around him amplifies all the pieces I love: the weird, unashamed, daring, happiest side of me. Being without him is just lonely.
“You’re human,” I whisper. “You’re my human hero. And there is no one stronger than you.”
I thought Loren Hale would be the one at my side, and in the end, all of my trust is in a dad who hardly knows me and who I hardly know too. Truth be told, I’d take Xander’s dad over mine—any day, any night.
“Their mess isn’t yours.” He points down the hall. “Your family is here. You’ve never been a dumb motherfucker, so I know you get this. Your family is here.”
“They’ll make it out. Luna. Lily. They look small, but they’re tough.”
Lo grinds his teeth, his gaze lethal on me. “I don’t know if I want to hug you or strangle you.” I can barely breathe. “I’ve got that effect on people.” I nod to him. “I’m not really into strangling though. I vote hug.”
“Who’s your baby with if Farrow’s working?” I wanted to call the baby my nephew, but it felt too bizarre. “Ryke and Dad are watching him.” “Not our aunts?” I would’ve thought they’d be the first in line after our mom. “Ripley likes when Ryke and Dad hold him more,” he explained, still trying his best to train his gaze on me and not the driver. Screens blocked our windows, so he couldn’t peer outside that easily. “When he was really small, he used to cry a lot, except when he was in my arms. So I think they remind him of me.”
I’ve never fully understood Romeo and Juliet till I found a love I’d rather die inside than live without.
“Look at me,” Farrow urges, his clutch strong on my skull. I let my hand fall off my hot face. And with everything inside him, he tells me, “You are my family.” Tears gather in both our eyes, tears I don’t think we’ve ever shared like this. “That’s never changing.”
We’re both smiling, but with a softer one, he pinches the kyber crystal off my chest. “Hales,” I say. “Gotta love them,” he says. “Truths.”
I look up at my best friend. The closest thing I’ll ever have to a brother. And I know I’m gonna be okay, even if it takes some time. Bagel. Friends. Easier nights. Better tomorrows. He clasps my hand, and I rise.
“You two just click,” Frog says simply. “Everyone who’s anyone can see it and believe it.” My friends are smiling, which are all of SFO in case that’s not clear. More than friends, actually. Family. Best I’ve ever had.
Lo groans and cringes, not a fan it seems, then he sighs. “Just keep me informed. Trust.” He motions from me to him, since our trust in each other has been like walking a rickety plank off a pirate ship. Truth is, I trust him more than I do my own dad.
“Can I hug you?” My voice breaks again. She’s already wrapping her bony arms around my frame. “I want to hug you. I’ve been waiting for this moment.” Her hugs are magical, and I hold tighter around my mom, burying my face against her hair. Tears leak out of my eyes, but I hear her sniffling too. I don’t want to let her go, and I feel that she’s not ready to let me go either. “I’m so glad you’re okay,” she whispers shakily. “I’msogladyou’reokay.”
She’s my superhero.
Relief eases my muscles, a sense of safety washing down me like plunging into a lagoon. Coming out clean, anew. And I know I’m going to be okay. I wonder if this is what it feels like to have a father.
Off my silence, he says, “You should start writing again. It might help.” Tom grins. “You hear that Luna, Charlie misses reading your smut.” Eliot mutters something about missing my stories too. Charlie doesn’t even give Tom the satisfaction of looking his way. Instead, he says to me, “Think about it. I’ll edit them again.”
“Why’d they name her Cassidy? Do you know?” He nods. “Cassidy Walsh.” I frown. “Who’s that?” “Farrow’s mom,”
@StaleBread89: Never heard of a LunaQuinn. Luna and Donnelly are the better match. No contest. #Lunnelly
“My heart is a chasm of everything I know and love, and it will always be filled with you.” I can’t look away from her. “I love you, Luna. I love you so bad, not having you just hurts.”
