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“I’ll be better when everyone stops asking me how I’m feeling,” I reply with a laugh.
“I hear you. Cas is happy you’re talking to him again. I didn’t realize how tense he was until I saw him relaxed.”
“I’m in a good place, and I need him in my life. We had a good chat, and I’m going to stop letting my dark thoughts rule my life.”
“That’s nice to hear. We’ll find our way, Harper. And one thing I know you need is action more than promises. So, I’ll tell you my promise, and then I’ll show you.”
She moves around the table and puts her arm around my shoulders. “You’ll never be alone again. Even if you push us away, we’ll still be right here, pulling you back to us.”
I take a shaky breath and smile. Alannah’s the one person I’ve kept away from the most. She’s the ultimate lioness protecting her family, and it made me feel like the ultimate outcast.
“I’m not your mom, Harper, but I’m here for you, day and night.”
Removing her arm, she pulls out a pale blue blanket.
“This was Leo’s when he was born,” she explains, showing me his name embroidered in the corner in dark blue thread. “And then, when Luca was born, his name was added.” I see his name in the next corner.
“Lily never kept anything of mine.”
She said we moved around too much to keep hold of such sentimental things.
“One thing about me is that I live in the past as much as the present, and for the future. The past is where a lot of people I love are, and to keep them alive, I keep their things to always remember. This isn’t the only case I have tucked away.”
“That’s actually really… nice.”
“It keeps me sane. I do the same for Rayna, and I’ll do the same for little Gunner when he arrives. Here…”
Handing me the blanket, I rub my palm over the soft material.
“Bonnie will have bits from when JJ was a baby she’ll want to pass down, but I thought you might like to have a part of your side too.”
Tears spring to my eyes as I glide my thumb over the Lost Souls stitching.
“And in this corner,” she continues, tugging on the blanket, “is where Gunner’s name will be added.”
“Between you and Bonnie, he’s going to have two amazing grandmas.”
Her eyes dart to mine in shock. “Grandma? Are you sure?”
“I’m sure. I want my child to have family all around him.”
She wraps her arms around me and hugs me tight. After a moment, the sound of motorcycles fills the air.
“That should be Leo and JJ.” She releases me and laughs. “Here, I’ll put this away. You go find your man.”
“Thank you, Alannah. This means more to me than you’ll ever know.”
“You’re welcome, honey.”
Leaving Alannah, I make my way around the side of the house and see Jay sitting on his bike, talking to Leo. It’s not until I get closer that I notice the blood on his knuckles.
I search his face and body for any other damage, but find nothing. Whatever happened, it seems Jay was the one who walked away unscathed. Not that I’m surprised. Of all the things I worry about, him being hurt is nowhere near the top. He’s been in so many fights, and always comes out on top.
He smiles when he sees me coming. “Hey. I got something for the baby.”
“Is it a blood sacrifice?” I ask as he digs a bag out of his pocket.
“I got it before we ran into trouble.”
