Reed (Book 2, Southern Royals Saga)

Chapter 31: Rhyme or Reason

The ground was coated in a light, fluffy snow.

Anthony's Cadillac was covered beside Liz's red Honda, with my mustang parked close to the backdoor. I walked up from the street, taking a deep breath before twisting the doorknob to the front door.

I walked through the foyer quietly, finding Rose and Luke in a deep conversation in the living room.

"Bet you thought you saw the last of me."

Rose and Luke meet my gaze.

Rose smiles, with tears building in her eyes; Luke's jaw hits the ground.

"Asshole," Rose tackles me with a tight hug; I wince slightly, patting her back gently.

"Nice to see you, too." Rose pulled back, caressing my cheeks.

"What in the-," Liz entered the living room, looking utterly beat; she covered her mouth to suppress a squeal.

"Liz," I pull her into a hug; she pulled back after a long hug, kissing both my cheeks.

"My sweet boy," she says, tears in her voice, "Thought we'd lost you for good."

"Never," I promised, kissing her forehead.

"Dad," Rose hollered down the hall.

Seconds to minutes, Anthony emerged from his office, sporting a beard and a glass of scotch.

His eyes widen upon me, a slight smile tweaking his lips; he sets his glass down and walked over, pulling me into a tight hug, hitting my back firmly, "I knew you were alive; I knew it."

I pulled away after a long moment, looking to Luke who stood back, letting us have our family moment.

"Liv's alive," Luke answered my unspoken question.

I let out a breath I didn't know I had been holding.

"She was up a while ago," Rose continued, "but went to lie down. Migraine, she said."

Liz huffed, "I can tell you why she had a migraine, the poor girl hasn't eaten in three days."

I sigh, and make my way upstairs, running into Owen as he left the bathroom.

He paled, looking like he just saw a ghost.

"Brandon?" He didn't think I was real.

I nod, "It's me, bro."

Owen tackles me, surprising me; I pat his back as he hugs me.

"What the hell happened?" He pulled back, searching my face for answers.

"I'll tell y'all everything...after I see my girl."

I saunter past him, entering my cracked bedroom.

My heart jumped in my throat.

Liv stood in front of the window, one of my grey t-shirts reaching the back of her knees. My need to have her in my arms was consuming.

I walked over to her as she gasped and stumbled backward into me.

"Liv," I steady her, "I'm here, darlin',"

Liv shook in my arms, turning to face me with wide brown eyes.

"Liv."

"You're real?" She caressed my neck, feeling for a pulse.

"I'm home. I'm right here."

Tears welled in her eyes, "How?" Her eyes wandered down to my shoulder, no doubt seeing one of my dressed wounds.