Page 38 of Fractured Grief (Hope’s Ridge #2)

Indy

M eeting Bodhi and Atticus had been nice. Seb had such a big, loving family, and seeing him in his element with his big brother was very different than seeing him get exasperated with Lyric. You could tell Seb admired Atticus. He looked up to him.

I loved being in on the secret that Bodhi and Atticus were planning to have a vehicle modified as a surprise. I’d made Bodhi promise to let me be there for the big reveal.

After a little bit of a catch-up, we let them get back to work, said our goodbyes, and made our way back towards town.

Hazel skipped along ahead in her own little world.

“How do you feel about Elpízo for lunch? I’m sure Ma and Yaya would love for us to drop by,” Seb asked.

“Sounds good. I’d love to see your family’s restaurant.” I’d loved all the food Lyric brought us the other day and would kill for more of that Moussaka .

We made our way to the restaurant, which wasn’t very far. The town was small but eclectic and friendly. So many people smiled, waved, or stopped to say hi as we walked down the block.

Stepping into Elpízo was like stepping across the world and into a beautiful Greek coastal building. The walls were whitewashed stone that was bright and airy and had deep blue ornate trim made up of unbroken, interlocking patterned mazes.

The counter and even the tables seemed to be made from stunning white marble, and the walls had many different coastal paintings featuring the iconic Greek coastline and the picturesque Mediterranean Sea.

Behind the serving counter was a stunning mural with Greek gods and goddesses, and the Parthenon and similar buildings all over it. The mural wasn’t large, but it was incredible. As we approached, flecks of gold became noticeable throughout the painting. I was captivated by the artistry.

“It’s stunning,” I whispered, truly in awe.

“Thank you. My syzygos painted it with my sons a long time ago.” Yaya popped up out of nowhere, and I flinched.

“So, you’re together now,” She said as a statement, not as a question, but I’d come to expect this sort of bluntness from this formidable woman. “It’s about time. I think those charms have worked a little too well.”

“Yaya,” Seb whined. “Yes, he’s my boyfriend. Please be nice. ”

I lifted on my tiptoes to pull him in for a kiss, right there in front of Yaya. He had to lean almost in half to kiss me, but every moment with Seb’s lips on mine was worth it.

We pulled back from the kiss as I rested my forehead against his, stroking the hair that had escaped his bun. Little arms wrapped around my leg and Seb’s. We both looked down at Hazel joining in.

In that moment, I knew– he was it for me, and this was our new family . I couldn’t wait to build a new life with Seb by my side.

His gaze snapped to mine in alarm. “I can feel her touch behind my knee. It’s like sparks under my skin,” he whispered.

Ever the medical professional, I changed gears and knelt to poke and prod at his knee and leg. “Can you feel this?” I asked as I touched different parts of his thigh and around his knee.

“Sort of. It seems delayed as you touch me, but I can feel it on the back of my leg. It’s like the back of my leg was waking up, but the front was still asleep.” He was pensive as he gazed down at me.

“This is a real turning point, Seb. The pathways and nerves are healing and talking to your brain again. This is what we want to see.” I was so happy for him; I was vibrating with excitement.

I couldn’t hold it in any longer as my arms flew around Seb in a tight hug. Hazel joined in, and I didn’t think this moment could be more perfect .

Pulling back from our hug, I was a little overwhelmed at the possibilities of our future.

I loved Seb.

I was in love with him .

My heart was full, and I noticed he was similarly affected as his eyes welled with tears of joy. We could do this. We could get through this and anything else that came our way, together .

“Well, this deserves a celebratory lunch,” Yaya tittered.

“Katerina, Sebastian’s here. With his boyfriend,” Yaya called out, her voice booming.

She was a walking contradiction. She looked like a sweet little grandma, but really, she was the powerhouse of the family and took no shit.

She was strong and loud and the head of this boisterous family.

Kat came through a side door, a large smile on her face. “Sebastian, it’s so good of you to stop by. Indy, it’s lovely to see you again. Did you and Hazel have a good night?” Her smile was contagious, and motherly warmth radiated from her.

“We did, and thank you again for everything you prepared for us. It was so thoughtful and helped a lot.” This whole family was blowing my mind with their kindness and generosity. At times, it was overwhelming.

“Are you my Gramma now?” Hazel spoke up, surprising all of us with her words. She looked between all of us. “Cause Daddy and Mr. Seb are boyfriends, and you said that we’re family, so you can be my Gramma. I’ve never had one before.”

“Oh, sweetheart,” Kat spoke as she knelt down to be level with Hazel. “I’d love nothing more than to be your Yaya.”

“I thought her name was Yaya,” Hazel whisper shouted as she pointed at Seb’s Yaya.

We all chuckled.

“Oh, she is. But Yaya means Grandma in Greek, and I was born there, so I still think of a grandma as a Yaya,” Kat explained.

“Hmm, well, you can’t have the same name cause that would be confusing,” Hazel thought out loud. “What else do they call a Gramma in Greece?”

“They say Nána or Náni or even Nanny Yaya. Which do you like better?”

Hazel thought for a moment, tapping her chin with her forefinger. “You can be Nanny Yaya that way, you’re still a Yaya.”

“That sounds wonderful.” Kat was beaming at my daughter, her face shining with love and appreciation. My chest clenched at all the sweetness on display.

“Can your Nanny Yaya have a hug?” Kat asked as she opened her arms wide, and Hazel stepped into them. Kat looked up at me and Seb with tears in her eyes.

I was similarly affected as I surreptitiously wiped my eyes, overwhelmed with happiness and the new family we’d found, all because I was assigned to Seb’s recovery.

I needed to pinch myself and ensure it wasn’t a dream. Everything I ever wanted in a partner was currently standing by my side, a solid presence that made me feel safe, cherished, and loved in ways I never thought were possible.

“You should have lunch with us,” Hazel declared, breaking me out of my thoughts. “We should have lunch as a family.”

Her innocent words melted everyone’s hearts.