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FORTY-SEVEN

THEO

REMINISCING

Day 551

Spring lingers just out of reach, its promise hovering on the horizon. The cold air nips at my cheeks, but the fire's warmth holds the chill at bay. We made our way to the firepit—Kenji, Adrian, Farron, Todd, Jay, Daisy, and I. Though Daisy did have a pair of mother hens who were insistent they be here, she put her foot down and told them no. So, naturally, the compromise was that they would walk her over here and then leave her.

I’ve been craving a moment to pause and reconnect with everyone. It's been far too long since we’d all gathered like this, and tonight felt like the perfect time to savor each other’s company, relax, and laugh.

It’s been a few weeks since everything with Trevor unfolded, and while tensions remain high, we’ve all settled into new routines. There’s a heightened awareness in the air, each of us more attuned to the shifts around us. Slowly, we’ve found a new rhythm, one born from necessity, but it’s a rhythm we’re learning to live with.

I glance at Farron sitting beside me, her face radiant in the flickering glow of the firelight. She’s close, sharing a blanket with me, bundled up in a thick coat. Her nose is tinged pink from the cold, but her eyes shine with a lightness that wasn’t there in the beginning. It’s a look that speaks of warmth, hope, and something mended.

My mind drifts back to the start when our only goal was finding Adrian’s family. Somewhere along the way, we built something else—a new family. Todd and Jay have become brothers to us, and Farron has grown into the very heart of it all. The road here hasn’t been easy; it never is, but sitting here now, I’m overwhelmed with gratitude. For Farron. For all of us. This is the life we fought for, and it’s worth every step it took to get here.

Kenji on my other side, with Magnum curled up at his feet and Binx nestled in his lap. He's been chatting with Jay and Daisy, the latter having earlier teased Farron by declaring Kenji as her favorite of ‘the boyfriends.’ Adrian was obviously offended and has been vying all night to get back in her good graces, alternating between interrupting their conversation and Farron's.

Todd and Farron are deep in conversation, laughing over some childhood memory. Farron tries to draw Jay in, but the tension between the two men lingers, heavy and unspoken. Ever since everything with Trevor came to light, their relationship has been strained. While they didn’t hide their connection from us, they kept it private outside of our group. Now, with everything out in the open, they’re left navigating the fallout of the Trevor ordeal. Their relationship, still so fragile and new, seems caught in the crossfire.

My chest aches for them. Farron has already made it clear to Todd that he bears no responsibility for Trevor’s actions and that there’s nothing for him to apologize for. Still, I don’t know how either of them is truly coping. I know Kenji and Adrian have each pulled Todd aside, reminding him that we’re here for him, no matter what.

Farron’s hand squeezes mine beneath the blanket, her touch steadying me. She shifts closer, tucking herself into the curve of my neck, her lips brushing softly against my throat in a kiss so gentle it sends a shiver racing down my spine. I tilt my head and kiss her forehead, holding it there for just a moment longer than usual. Even though the tension has been high for the last few weeks, it’s finally beginning to dissolve. In this quiet, shared moment, everything feels exactly as it should.

Todd leans forward, catching my attention as he begins to sign. “In the spring… you help me with garden… at my house?” His expression twists in concentration, clearly indicating he knows it’s not perfect. A soft chuckle escapes me despite myself. His ASL might still be rough, but his effort shines through. Smiling, I tap my index and middle fingers on my other fist, signing, “Of course.” Todd grins, his whole face lighting up before he turns back to his conversation with Adrian.

After some time, Daisy excuses herself, making a comment about how being pregnant is the most exhausting thing she’s ever done. Jay offers to walk her back to the Alden farm and gives everyone a quick goodbye. I notice Todd watching him go, his brows furrowing for a moment before he stands and moves in the opposite direction, his hands tucked into his coat pockets.

Farron shifts away from me, and I’m about to pull her back when she speaks softly.

“It’ll take time.”

“It will,” I reply. “There’s nothing we can do. They need to figure this out.”

“I just don’t like him walking back on his own when it’s so dark,” she admits. “Even if everything is calming down now.”

“He’ll be okay, Star,” I tell her. “We’ll check on him after and make sure he made it home safe, yeah?” She gives me a gentle smile, nodding her head in gratitude.

The four of us start talking about anything and everything, Farron signing the entire time, her body angled slightly toward me. I find myself captivated by the story she’s sharing about how she and Holden used to hide in the rafters of the Abel barn, waiting for the perfect moment to scare Jay. She stumbles over a few words but pushes through, fingerspelling when she gets stuck. Her determination is admirable.

I’m not sure how long she’s been talking when Adrian suddenly stands, holding his hands up to pause her. “Whoa, whoa, whoa. It’s time to finally address the elephant in the room. When did Sunshine get so good at signing?” he asks, incredulous. He narrows his eyes and adds, “ and how long has this been going on?”

Farron smirks. “You’re just now noticing?”

“Uh, yeah. Usually, you’re asking one of us to translate for you,” Adrian fires back. He glances toward Kenji. “K, did you know about this?”

Kenji leans forward, his elbows on his knees, his hands clasped as he studies Farron with mock suspicion. “I’ve noticed she’s picking up more, but someone here…” his gaze shifts pointedly to me, “…probably knows exactly how long she’s been at it.”

I shrug, trying to look innocent, but Farron bursts into laughter, toppling into me. The rest of us can’t help but join in.

Once the laughter settles, Farron grins mischievously. “There was this one time, about a month ago, you two were in the kitchen. Adrian was going on about some scab on his ass and asked Kenji to take a look at it. I ran out of the house to tell Theo as fast as I could.” She points at Adrian and Kenji as she finishes, her laughter bubbling up again.

Adrian’s jaw drops in mock outrage. “Theo?!” he sputters.

Kenji shakes his head, his shoulders trembling with quiet laughter. “Oh, you two are definitely going to pay for that,” he threatens, though the blush creeping up Farron’s cheeks suggests she doesn’t mind one bit.

As the laughter fades, Farron’s gaze sweeps over each of us, her smile softening into something more tender.

“I don’t think I’ve ever said this, but thank you.” She looks down shyly for a moment, but then I see the love and confidence in her eyes, and she continues. “Thank you for fighting for me, for us. I can’t imagine life without you three. I love you.”

“Sunshine, I never knew life could be like this. We spent the better part of a year on the move, looking for my family, but I’m so grateful we ended up here with you. You’re my rain.”

Farron quickly wipes her eyes, leaning into me as her gaze catches Kenji already watching her. “Princess, I love you so goddamn much. I always had these two, but now it feels like we are a complete family with you.” Kenji's stare turns heated as his gaze remains on her.

I pull her close, our lips meeting in a deep, lingering kiss. Her fingers curl into my hair when we part, holding me there for just a moment longer. I’m hit with a wave of quiet contentment as I glance around the fire. My brothers, who carried me through my darkest moments, who defended me when the world tried to tear me down. Farron, who made me feel seen from the very start. I fell in love with her in that little office while she patched me up, and I’ll keep loving her until the end of my days and beyond.