Falling Forward ✔

Chapter Twenty-Six - Bastien

There's no real way to warn somebody about my mother. The woman is the most caring person I know. She's also like a category five snowstorm.

"MON ENFANT!" Mama demonstrates absolutely zero inside voice. She all but yanks Reece out from under my arm in a smothering embrace the moment we cross the threshold. "C'EST SI BON DE TE VOIR! VIENS, MANGER! ENTREZ DU FROID."

Jesus Christ.

"Mama," I try and keep the chuckle out of my voice as she clucks over Reece. "Anglais."

"Let me look at you," she thrusts Reece out from her, cradling her face in momma-bear paws. Her English isn't the best, but that doesn't dampen her enthusiasm. "You so pretty, my child. Very kind, your eyes."

"Give the poor girl some air, Etta." Papa chuckles, padding down the stairs.

I give him a grateful look, acting as a buffer for Mama and my sisters. He returns it with a kind smile, drawing Mama back and pressing a tender kiss on her neck.

"While you here, you call me Mama." She then pats my father's chest. "You call him Papa. Easy, no?"

"How was your flight?" Papa asks politely.

"Oh," Reece squeaks, "Good. It's been a while since I was on a plane."

I give her hand an encouraging squeeze. She returns it and my chest fills with warmth.

"We're glad you could make it." Papa plucks Reece's bag from my shoulder. "I'll take this."

"YES!" Mama claps, making Reece jump a bit. "YOU COME AND EAT."

The door suddenly opens behind me, thwacking me in the back of the head.

"Ow!" I snap, turning to find Noelle's hazel eyes and curly dark hair peering at me from the crack. "Why are you beating me up?"

"Why are you standing in front of the damn door!" My eldest sister gripes back. Then she catches sight of Reece. "Oh. My. God. You do exist!"

Noelle hip-checks open the door, thrusting her son Oscar against my chest and flinging her arms around Reece like an octopus. Her husband Jack follows, one arm laden with a covered casserole dish and the other with his son Gabriel. Papa takes the food, Mama the grandchild.

In a whirlwind of noise, hugs, and kisses, we head upstairs from the entryway and into the main living room, kitchen, and dining room of the duplex. The space seemed enormous when I was little. Now, with eight Killfeathers, a husband, two toddlers, and Reece, we're more than a little crowded.

"Your nose ring is so cute!" Noelle gushes.

Mia beams. "I know, right? And that blonde?"

"Gorgeous," Claude agrees. "You're like a little fairy, Reece."

"Who the hell is this?" Leo roars, stepping past our sisters, grin huge under his beard where he faces Reece.

Introductions are made. Leo greets Reece much like my sisters and mother did. Sacha gives her a solid handshake and encouraging smile. Claude then sets Reece and me up with a beer before Mama and Mia steer her to the kitchen.

I try and follow, but Noelle stills me with a hand on my chest. "I think not, Baby Bas."

"Noe." I protest.

"We're not going to eat her." Mia rolls her eyes. "C'mon. You know the kitchen is the women's place for the holidays. You'll just get in the way."

"As much as that goes against my inner feminist and all my beliefs on gender equality, I agree." Claude pulls her long hair up into a messy bun, flashes her snakebite piercings at me in a grin. "It's about the socialization."