“Good. He isn’t worthy of your thoughts. But I know it’s not easy.” She shivers and I pull the blanket over her shoulder.
“I think about you and Lincoln and our life together. I think about our future. I don’t worry about him anymore.”
She lowers her head to my chest. “You’re a better man than he could have ever dreamed to be.”
“Hmm.” I kiss her shoulder.
She sits up again, this time all the way, wrapping the blanket around her chest so I’ll focus on her words.
“I’m serious. Your legacy is more than his could have ever been. Already. The lives you touch. The people you love. You are a gift to this world because you have taken a childhood overshadowed by violence and learned how to love. That’s a miracle.Youare a miracle.”
She touches my cheek and I lean into her.
“And you are nothing like him. People love you. They never fear you.”
When she says that, I frown. “I’m worried about what Roe and Maggie told us. I can’t lose you.”
I feel her tense slightly. “You never will. Whatever happens, we will deal with it when the time comes.” She sighs. “I can’t believe I spent all these years running, not understanding why. My grandparents were trying to protect me. I understand that now. Angel says they think my parents weren’t killed in an accident. I think that’s why they didn’t tell me. Or maybe they didn’t know. I still have so many questions.”
I pull her closer. “Me too. Hopefully we will know more soon.”
She fidgets with the blanket and lets out another sigh.
“Is that what’s got you down?” I ask.
“I guess … I miss the team. Now I’m wondering what lies Will spread about me. What he made them think about me. I haven’t heard from any of them.”
I sit up suddenly. “What time is it?” I ask, already moving to collect myself.
“Almost five?” she says, glancing at the alarm clock. “Hungry for dinner?”
I shoot out of bed. “Crap. We’re late.” I scramble to our closet and grab a dress and toss it at her. She dresses more freely now and I love it. She doesn’t live in fear of hurting people. She’s free with her affection, like she’s making up time for all the years she missed.
She kneels on the bed, her beautiful naked body full on display. “What’s going on?” She looks worried but I’m highly distracted now.
“I love your body.” I grab her thighs, trying to tackle her back into the bed.
“No. Gah! Seriously what are we late for—”
The doorbell cuts her off.
“Who is that?” she asks, gently pushing my head off her stomach where I pepper her with kisses. My head shoots up and I collect myself, tugging on sweatpants and a T-shirt.
“Get dressed and come out in five minutes.” She throws a shirt at me before shimmying into her panties.
“Who’s at the door? And don’t you want to do something about your head?”
In the mirror, my hair is actually scary. The brown curls are everywhere so I pat them down with water. I look like a mad scientist but I’m into it. It’ll fit when I start helping out the SHE-roes or whatever they decide to call themselves. I’ve already been thinking about Maggie May. Her abilities seem to be tied to water. I need to run more tests, but I think if I can make her some sort of wetsuit that consistently circulates water, then maybe …
“Nathaniel!” Julia calls out from the closet and I realize I’ve been woolgathering.
The doorbell rings again and I run to get it.
I open the door to Febin, Kate, Dylan, and Jared talking excitedly.
“What a sight for sore eyes,” I say with a huge grin. “Come on in. She’ll be right out.”
We all talk over each other as we greet and hug.
