The Dangerfields

Chapter Nineteen

When I wake up, I feel better than I have since the day that changed everything.

My mind has healed as much as my cuts have, and the deaths of my loved ones, while they still affect me, don't pain me as much anymore.

I shift in bed, and turn onto my side to look at Hudson. Or at least, where Hudson should be. The only evidence that Hudson was there is the indent in the pillow. Daylight streams between the slats of the blinds, and I deduce that it is mid to late morning. A quick glance at the clock confirms my suspicion, and I decide that 9:04 is a good time to get up.

I make my way downstairs, and find Mom standing at the counter in the kitchen, a cup of coffee in her hands. She looks peaceful, with her eyes closed and the mug clasped in both hands, held up to her face. A floorboard creaks slightly as I enter the kitchen, and she opens her eyes, turning to grin at me.

"This is the best coffee I've had in weeks," she says, taking a sip.

Ryder stands up in the living room and comes to join us in the kitchen, a mug of coffee with him as well. "I agree," he says with a smirk on his face. It's a nice change to see him stress and worry-free. The two birds balance on his shoulder, side by side, and as Alston sees me, he lets out a clicking sound and flies over to my shoulder. I stroke his head with a smile as he settles himself.

I glance around the open floor plan, searching for Hudson, before I remember that it's a Wednesday, and Hudson is at school. I feel slightly disappointed that we don't get to spend the day together, but push the feeling aside, reminding myself to be thankful that I'm safe for a day.

Emma walks into the kitchen, pinning a braided strand of hair out of her face. She wears a black blouse with a pair of dark jeans, and a glittering silver belt. She grins at the three of us, waving with the hand that holds a pair of silver hoop earrings. She pulls a mug out of the cupboard and pours herself a cup of coffee, and takes a quick sip before speaking.

"So, I have to leave in about twenty minutes for a meeting with a client, but I shouldn't be gone long, two hours tops. Shaun is picking Hudson up from school at lunch for a dentist appointment, then Hudson is coming home for the rest of the day. He has two easy classes this afternoon, and claims he can catch up tomorrow," Emma says in one breath. I just stare at her for a moment. I had forgotten how much she can talk, and how much air she can hold. We're lucky that she didn't have too much to say, because Emma has been known to practically talk one's ear off.

"You guys can help yourselves to anything from the pantry or the fridge, just make yourselves feel at home. Willow, I'm sure you won't have any trouble doing that," Emma says, winking at me. I just blush.

When I first went to Hudson's house, we were about two and a half, and Emma heard a noise in the kitchen. When she went to investigate, it turned out to be me, standing in nothing but my diaper, with my hands in the bottom drawer of their fridge. I had stripped my clothes off and somehow opened the heavy fridge door while she was in the bathroom.

Hudson and Emma never let me forget that incident.

Pretty much the same thing happened when I first went to Livia's house, when I was around the same age. Emma, Liv's mom Sheila, and my mom all claim that it's because I am comfortable in my own skin and treat everywhere like my own home. I can't say they're wrong, but they bring it up so much I'm not convinced that they won't make speeches about it at my wedding.

Mom and Emma laugh at the memory, and even Ryder chuckles, having heard the story so many times.

I walk over to the fridge and pull out a jug of apple juice, Hudson's preferred drink. When he lived across from us, next to Livia, we had to make sure we always had apple juice, or he wouldn't come over. He would insist Liv and I go to his house, or he would bring a jug of it with him when he came over.