"This is more than I could have hoped for," I say.
"I'm so glad you think so, but I know how to make it even better," he says, and I laugh while wiping my cheeks.
My heart is still racing from the proposal. I can't even begin to imagine what else he could possibly give me. This place, this moment, this man, it's already more than I ever thought I'd have.
"There's the family you make but also the family you come from. I don't want you to miss out on anything else in this life. So..." he trails off and glances over my shoulder, and something in his expression makes me turn to follow his gaze.
And the world cracks open.
Standing at the end of the table is a woman I haven't seen this close since I was fourteen.
I shake my head and blink, thinking my mind's playing tricks on me.
"Nora?"
My sister's hands cover her face, tears starting to fall.
For a moment, I can't move. Can't breathe. Can't believe.
Her hands then move away from her face and she holds them out.
"Oh my god, Lyra!"
We both move at the same time. I run toward her and she meets me halfway, colliding in the middle of the deck. Her arms wrap around me and we're both sobbing. I bury my face in her neck, breathing in the scent of her. Even with her perfume, it's her. The same Nora. My sister. My family.
"Oh my god," I choke out, my fingers holding her face. "You. You're here. You're really here."
She nods, tears falling onto her dress. We hug again.
"When he called me, I couldn't believe it," Nora says, her voice thick with tears as she pulls back just enough to cup my face in her hands. She wipes my tears with her thumbs. "They told me you were dead, Lyra. For years?—"
"I know," I say, guilt washing through me. "I'm so sorry. When I found out, I just thought?—"
"Shhh," she soothes, pressing her forehead to mine. "I don't care. You're here now. We're both here. This feels like a dream, my God, how I've missed you."
I cry harder than I have in a long time and grip her tightly. So tight I think I'm forcing all the air out of her lungs, but I can't let go.
We stay like that, crying and laughing in turns, clutching each other like the world might try to separate us again. It's raw andperfect and nothing like the reunion I'd imagined in my darkest, most hopeful moments.
I glance over and even Keira's eyes are watery.
"I want you to meet Max," she says finally, turning toward a tall man who stands awkwardly at the edge of the table. He steps forward hesitantly, his smile warm but uncertain.
Declan, Callum, and Keira step forward as well.
"We know all about you, Max Perkins," Keira says, smiling as she crosses her arms.
Max's eyes go wide. "You do?" he asks as he looks from the Killaneys to Nora, who seems equally surprised. I can't help it, I burst into laughter.
"Don't worry," I tell him, wiping tears from my eyes. "They did the same to me. Isn't that right, Callum?" I joke.
"Worse, actually," Callum says. "Yours was thorough," he says and nods at me. "Hers was excessive."
Max still looks stunned, but he recovers quickly, offering his hand first to Callum, then to Declan. "I, uh, thank you for bringing them together and inviting us here."
Keira then shakes his hand. "Nora's part of us now. You hurt her, we'll find you," Keira says cheerfully.
"Keira!" I exclaim.
