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Echo moved toward the fridge and pulled out the pitcher of guava juice and poured out three glasses. I took a long drink before I set it aside.

I poured a mound of AP flour onto the counter, cracking open five eggs and adding four additional yolks, while slowly incorporating the eggs into the flour with a fork. When the dough absorbed all the liquid, I ditched the fork and started kneading.

“Do you want to try a stream?”

“How?”

“My old computer, which is completely decked out with a newer graphics card, is sitting upstairs unused in a closet. If you’re comfortable, we can set it up in the studio upstairs next to my rig. Then, if you want, we can pick out a game for a stream and as we’re navigating our way through it, I can introduce you to my chat. They’ll be curious about you and ask intrusive questions, but they’ll be supportive. If you find it comes natural to you, then we can make a plan for you to become a full-time streamer.”

Hensley sat back, thoughtful, and I set the dough aside. In the meantime, I cooked the ground beef, pork, and lamb, along with chopped onions and garlic. After the vegetables softened, I stirred in the marinara, sliding the lid on top and setting it aside. In another bowl, I added the dairy together and left it to chill in the refrigerator.

With dinner ready to assemble, I removed the cakes from the oven when the timer beeped and set them on the cooling rack. I glanced at the clock and knew Graham and the rest would be a couple more hours, which gave us free time.

“Do you want to head upstairs and check out my setup?”

Nodding, Hensley jumped up, excited. It was the first time since she’d arrived that I’d seen true happiness etched on her face as she shifted from one foot to another in anticipation. With a chuckle, we headed upstairs and this time, I led her to the left.

I booted up and turned on the three monitors before I raised my desk. Once I logged in, I let her explore. She opened the device manager, reading the system specs, before booting up a game. “Perfect.”

Chuckling at her reaction, I guided her into my gaming chair and lowered the desk.

“We’ll come get you for dinner.”

“Oh, well, no, I can come downstairs and help,” Hensley protested.

“Don’t worry about it. See if there are other games you might like and the twins will hunt you down when it’s time to eat.”

She turned back and started a new game. “Thank you,” she murmured.

I squeezed her shoulder and headed back down, Echo leading the way.

“Do you think she’ll take our advice?”

“Judging by her reaction to the game, yeah, I think she might. We’ll make sure she doesn’t become overwhelmed with all the comments and negativity. She’s a lot like Graham; strong, independent, and stubborn. But those will be her strengths if she goes after what she wants.”

Echo sniffed, and I glanced at her, curious.

“I feel so mature and helpful. It’s almost as though I’m an adult.” There was a long pause with me smiling at her when she threw up her hands. “Nope, the moment’s fucking passed. Thank the deities above. No one needs to deal with a mature me.”

Dad arrived then with the gifts for Graham, three rolls of wrapping paper, snagging the gift tags I kept in my closet in the hallway. Attached to his wrists were several balloons with floaty ribbon in a variety of bright colors. He set the gifts down on the dining room table before he allowed the balloons to float about the room, and I felt a thrill because he found the items on my list.

“Wow. I may have thought I sent you off with an impossible task.”

“Well, there was a not-so-stellar moment when I distracted a twelve-year-old with some of my finest acting. I told him Taylor Swift was signing autographs at the other end of the mall.”

I pulled him in for a hug and said, “Thanks, dad.”

He gave me a quick squeeze before letting go. His eyes threatened to spill with tears.

“I’m happy you two found each other. Although you were happy before, with him, you’re… well, it’s everything we wanted for you.”

“Ah, no, we’ve gone through this. I can’t stand it, the emotion, it’s too much,” Echo whimpered before she surrounded us, pushing us back together.

We laughed, the seriousness broken, and I started toward the table to wrap the gifts before dinner went in the oven and the cakes were cooled enough to be frosted and assembled.

Anticipation thrummed through me as I waited for Graham to come home.

Chapter 8