Malachi Gregory (Volume One) - Rough Draft (Final Copy Coming Soon to Amazon)

Chapter 8: Family

Mal's POV

As the team and I are together in the conference room, I look around at everyone who has become a part of my family. A month ago, I had exactly two people I could rely on, three if you count the pastor, but now I have a mini army of dependable people. It's an incredible realization. We've had a couple major cases and a few little cases that have drawn us closer together than I ever thought I could be to someone.

Veronica is like the stern aunt. She's bossy and intimidating, but caring and protective. We haven't had many occasions to interact on a personal level, but I know that if I need something, she'll be the first one to offer her assistance.

Victor is like the crazy uncle. He teases us and jokes with us, but he's also very serious in everything he does and says. It's comforting to have him around at all times. He's the perfect balance to Veronica.

KJ is like the weird cousin I'm always excited to see, because he's always fully invested in everything I have to say and or always has something really cool to show me.

Leila is the best friend I didn't think I'd ever need, because I already have Bailey. She teases me and cares about me. She wants to know every detail about who I like and why I like him. It's annoying, but worth it.

Ian is like the protective older brother who won't let anyone mess with me. I mean, he spent 8 years watching a jerk who took advantage of my best friend and turned my life upside down.

Then, there's Courtney. I still don't really know where we stand. She's been nothing but kind to me, especially in regard to G.Q. and Milton, but she still gives me these dissatisfied, almost hateful looks whenever I have a moment with Xane. I guess, we're kind of like sisters who are really close in age. We get along great sometimes, but other times we just don't.

I take a moment longer to look at Xane. I don't know what he is, but he's definitely someone special. There's something there with him that I've never had with anyone else, but I don't know if it's something that I want to explore yet. It seems like it could be amazing, but it's also tauntingly terrifying.

"I know Mal and I have been here on a trial basis, because Mal wasn't sure she wanted to accept her role as the Chosen One. And now we're meeting for her to announce if she's staying or not, but before she does," Bailey begins. "Because I honestly have no idea what she's going to say, can I just clarify that no matter what she's decided, I really want to stay with you guys and do whatever I can to help with future cases."

"Of course, Bailey," Veronica answers. "You are both always welcome parts of the PSA family, whether you decide to leave today or not. We've come to think of both of you as family, and I certainly hope you've come to think of us the same way."

"Of course," Bailey agrees.

"Come on, Mal," KJ begs. "Don't leave us hanging here."

"Yeah," Leila chimes. "Please tell us you're staying."

"PSA won't be the same without you,"  Courtney admits.

"Tell her, Xane," Leila encourages.

Xane looks at me with eyes that bore into my soul, but he doesn't say anything.

"Don't act like you don't want her to stay," Ian prods.

"Yeah, man," K.J. comments. "We all know you want her to stay more than anyone in this room does."

"I'm not acting anyway," Xane says. "It's Mal's decision to make and I'm not going to try to persuade her one way or the other. Besides, it's not like anything we say is going to make her sway one way or the other anyway. If she's made up her mind, then she's made up her mind and there's no changing it."