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Connor and I walk to the house, hand in hand, and when we step inside, the smell of food hits me hard, my stomach immediately rumbling with hunger. This house always smells like food. It smells like love and care. I’ve never had a home that smelled like this. Now that I have experienced this, I know I’ve never really had a home. However, Avalon is quickly becoming a place I would like to call home.

Connor chuckles and nuzzles into my hair as we walk into the dining room. He pulls out my chair, and I sit down, smiling up at him. He brushes his lips over mine and sits next to me. Zane and Zach are already at the table, practically vibrating in anticipation of the food.

“Are you two ever not hungry?” I ask, amused.

“No. It’s a gift,” Zach says, flipping me off.

“We’re actually doing Dad a favor. Whatever we eat, we’re stopping him from eating,” Zane says. Luke sits down next to him, chuckling quietly.

Farrah comes through, carrying multiple plates. Somehow making it look effortless, she places them all on the table and then goes to the kitchen to get more. After another two trips, the table is full of food, the wood practically groaning under the weight.

Uriel pulls out her chair, and I smile, remembering how Connor did the same for me. It is obvious where he learned how to love. Farrah sits down, gazing adoringly at Uriel.

Zach and Zane almost lunge for the plates, but Farrah pins them with a stern look. “The guest is served first. Your father and I taught you better than that.”

Zach groans. “She’s barely a guest.”

Connor smirks and rests his hand on my leg. I wonder if he is keeping me close so I don’t run.

“Even when she shares our last name, she is a guest, so she is served first.” Farrah lifts her chin, her voice clipped and stern.

I blush a little at the suggestion that I might be a Morningstar one day.

Connor chuckles and reaches forward to grab a spoon. He scoops up some vegetables and puts them on my plate. “Summer Morningstar has a nice ring to it.”

Farrah beams at him. “My wonderful boy.”

Connor smiles. “I know. I’m almost the favorite.”

Farrah clicks her tongue. “All of my boys are in joint first place.” She keeps smiling at Connor, but her eyes flash a little. “However, that will change if you don’t remove your hand from that plate, Zane Morningstar.”

Zane pulls his hand back like he’s been scorched. “But, Mom,” he whines, “she has food on her plate!”

Farrah gives him a reproachful look, and then she finally nods, giving them permission to serve themselves. The twins ravage the plates like they have never seen food before.

Farrah gives Uriel an exasperated look, but he simply smiles softly. “You wanted them to visit more, my love.”

She chuckles as we all begin to eat, the joy and love in her eyes never wavering.

“So,” Uriel begins, giving Connor a knowing smirk, “Gabe caught you in the garden, hm?”

Connor sighs. “He said he wouldn’t tell!”

Zach snorts, biting into a chicken wing. “And you believed him? Uncle Gabe is the biggest gossip.”

Zane nods. “Horn of the Almighty, my ass.”

“Zane!” Farrah scolds.

“Sorry, Mom.” Zane sighs.

“Has he caught you up to no good, Zane?” I ask.

“Not yet. But he tries.” Zane snorts.

Zach shrugs. “As long as it’s not Uncle Michael or the Almighty.”

Connor snickers. “You think the Almighty just walks around? Like she doesn’t have better things to do?”