OUR BOND

The Memorial

Third Person POV

The following day - Los Angeles.

The black car rolled to a stop before the old mansion, its high gates open, the yard crowded with cars. Noel stood outside, staring at the house that had once been her entire world. Her grandparents' house.

The last time she'd been here was three months ago - a month before she was sent to Italy. If she'd known that would be the last time she saw her grandmother alive, she would've stayed.

Every day. Every minute.

She pushed that thought down, drawing a small breath as she looked around. Some of the parked cars she recognized, others she didn't. The air smelled faintly of lilies and rain soaked earth.

Behind her, the doors at the back opened. Luca and Damien stepped out, both dressed in black. Luca had insisted on coming the moment he found out. Damien - well, he was more of a last minute decision but Noel was quietly grateful they both were here.

She smoothed down the fabric of her long black dress, the one long enough to hide the bandage around her leg. "Here goes nothing" she murmured, more to herself than anyone.

Luca and Damien flanked her as they walked toward the house - silent, steady presences on either sides. Inside, the mansion was alive with hushed conversations and the soft clinking of glasses. Faces turned as they entered, some recognized her instantly, others didn't. A few whispered to each other, their glaces trailing to the two dark haired men beside her.

At the far end of the room, she spotted Terry- cornered in a conversation he clearly wanted out of. When his eyes met hers, his whole face lit up. He made a quick excuse to whoever he was talking and crossed the room in seconds.

He didn't say a word first, just pulled her into a hug that said everything. She felt his breath tremble against her shoulder.

"I've missed you, you brat" he murmured, voice thick, the edge of tears just there.

That was enough for Noel's arms to tighten around him. "Two months without me and you're already falling apart?" she teased softly as they pulled apart, smiling warmly at this cousin of hers.

Before Terry could reply, a familiar voice cut through the room. "Noel?"

She turned just in time for Brandon to stride in with his friends, only to forget them completely when he saw her. He reached her in a few steps, scooping her up into a crushing hug that made her protest.

"Brandon! Put me down, you're causing a scene" she laughed weakly, smacking his shoulder.

He chuckled but didn't leg go right away. "Can't help it. You disappear for months and then show up at grandma's memorial like this?"

"Well, I didn't disappear by choice, your uncle drugged and shipped me out" she complained.

Terry joined the hug again, wrapping his arms around them both.

Across the room, Luca and Damien watched the scene quietly, drinks in hand.

"They seem to love her a lot" Luca said with a small smile.

Damien didn't answer, just took another slow sip of his drink - the faintest shift in his eyes betraying something softer.

When the hug finally broke, Noel asked "Where's uncle? Also Brian?"

"All of them with Uncle Bright are with grandpa" Terry replied, making sure he even included her dad, which she didn't ask about.

She nodded softly, then her gaze went around until it landed on Luca and Damien. She smiled faintly and tugged on both her cousins' hands. "Come on. There are people I want you to meet"