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Killian is there, laying on the ground between the sectional and the TV. His hand gently rolls over a small, circular blob on his chest, stroking it softly. I blink a few times, realizing after a few seconds that it’s acatsitting on his chest.
I walk over. “Killian?”
He flicks his gaze from the TV, his hand pausing on top of the cat’s head and hovering over it. The cat lets out a soft meow and stretches out a paw to Killian’s hand, kneading.
Suddenly, I notice that the cat looks eerily similar to Leo.
“I-Is that… Is that my cat?”
“Does your cat have a blue collar and respond to ‘chunky’?”
I let out an incredulous laugh. “Yes!”
“Then yes, this is your cat.”
I feel a smile stretch over my face. Racing over to them, I fall to my knees and pick my big, fluffy orange tabby off of Killian’s chest and cuddle him against my face. He purrs, nuzzling a furry cheek against my chin.
“How the hell did you manage to get him?”
Killian snorts. “If I can kidnap a whole person, I can kidnap a cat, Nella.”
My eyes start to water. I can’t believe he actually went over to my parents' house and got my cat for me. How the hell did he manage that without getting caught? I will probably never know. All I care about is finally being reunited with my sweet Leo.
“Thank you, Killian.”
He sits up slowly, folding his legs to his chest and resting his arms on his knees.
“You’re welcome, Nella.” A sly smile crosses his face. “Don’t say I never do anything for you.”
I bury my face in Leo’s pudge, comforted by his gentle purring and paws kneading on me. I’m so happy, I could kiss him again!
“You know.” I lift my face out of Leo’s fur and settle him into my lap gently. “He hardly lets anyone pet him like that.”
Killian raises a brow. “You’re petting him.”
“Yeah, but I’ve had him since he was a kitten. Usually, he scratches people when they try to pick him up.”
“Hm…” Killian shifts and leans back against the edge of the sectional. “I guess I’ve got a way with animals, then.”
I smile. “I guess so. He didn’t try to bite you when you got him?”
“The can of tuna I used to help coax him out prevented any of that nonsense.”
I laugh. “Thank goodness for the hindsight.”
“Can’t go wrong with tuna.”
I look down at my cat once more. Seeing him snuggle into my lap warms my heart immediately. I can’t help but remember all of the nights Etta and I spent watching trashy reality shows and doing each other’s hair, Leo curled up in my lap the entire time while we sang and giggled until the sun rose.
They are such precious memories that I want to preserve—like the ones of my father.
I run my finger over Leo’s nose, feeling the soft velvet button.
“Did Ava talk to you yet?”
“About?”
I move my finger under Leo’s chin, scratching his favorite spot. “A phone call with Etta.”
