“And I’m Mama. Come, come, I made sandwiches for you.” She drags my boyfriend inside, chatting his ear off. When Loxley turns back to me, I shoot him a reassuring smile. All the people I love are together, a true sight to behold.
“I’m so glad you were finally able to make it out to see us. You two must have been busy all summer,” Mama says.
“Busy getting very close,” Papa says as we all sit down at the table.
“Pop,” I say in a half-warning, half-joking tone.
“Oh, hush, my dear turtle boy,” Mom says, waving me off. “I want to learn everything about my son’s fated mate.”
I cringe, and Loxley shoots me a nervous look. He knows I told my folks that we’re in love, but I guess they deduced just how serious we are. “I never…said that,” I say.
“But we’re intelligent witches,” Papa says. “Speaking of, be right back.”
We take two minutes to start eating the sandwiches that Mama kindly spread out for us. “You must be busy with work. Gordy says you have a hospital job.”
“Yes. Informatics,” he replies.
“How bright! Things must be very lively for you boys up there in Cosmo.”
“Very,” I reply. I exchange a coy look with my boyfriend. This weekend getaway is a refreshing change of pace compared to the wackiness of being at Boysen House. Between the agents of SPELL checking up on us, and Shugo and his chicken-dude, we needed some time away.
Mama asks more innocuous questions, and Loxley mostly nods in response. To his credit, he doesn’t brush away her hand whenever she squeezes his. I love seeing my boyfriend so cool with my mom.
“Here, son.” My dad returns with what appears to be a small, leatherbound tome.
“What is this?”
My folks share a serious look, then turn their attention on me. “We love you, Gordy. But your biological parents loved you, too.” Mama’s words make my heart skip a beat. Loxley takes my hand under the table and gives it a squeeze. She continues, “There was something they left for you that we never told you about.”
“What?” I whisper.
“The instruction in their will was to only give this to you when you found your fated mate,” Papa says. Before I can ask, he interrupts me, saying, “Witches can see bits and pieces of the future. Who were we to not follow instructions?”
“So, here you go. Perhaps it can shed some light on your lineage,” Mama says.
Holding the small book in my hands, I notice it’s sealed shut with a lock and keyhole. I run my finger along the well-worn leather. “Where…um, where is the key?”
“We don’t know. It’s not ours to open.” Papa shrugs.
“It’s yours. We always knew you had a great destiny. Maybe the key is in your hands.” Mama’s eyes shine at me. “We love you, son, but you have Loxley now. You’ve made connections,you have your own coven, and even an ancestor at your home. You’re a grown turtle now.”
I snicker and exchange a smile with Loxley. “My only hope is that you don’t get too big and strong to visit your parents from time to time.”
With a laugh, I get up and hug my folks. As my tail wags, I reply, “Never. I love you both too much.”
Loxley eyes us with joy. In this moment, I feel so blessed.
“Alright, that’s enough of this.” Papa breaks apart. “You two wanted to go to the fall street fair, and it’s happening now.”
“True. You wanna come?” I ask Mama.
“No, we’ve been plenty of times. And you deserve a date night with your boyfriend. The stars know it took you long enough to get one.”
My cheeks prickle with embarrassment. “Mama,” I mutter. Loxley, however, just laughs.
“Take care of my son, will you?” Mama asks.
Loxley pushes up his glasses and replies, “He…takes care of me the most.”
