Page 68 of Shifting Fate

Stuffed from dinner and blueberry-lemon pound cake for dessert, Espen loudly announced that it was time to go. I saw Arias roll his eyes, but he didn’t argue and when he stood, I rose to my feet as well.

“Thanks for dinner,” I told Wren. “You can cook for me any day.”

She grinned real big. “Oh, I like the sound of that. Count on it, love.”

We got another round of hugs from our newly-minted “Mom” while Jaeger clapped his sons on the back. He gave Merrick an appreciative nod and a handshake, then looked at me.

For a moment, he cocked his head and stared me down, no doubt taking in the purple hair and the glamour. Then he offered a slighly lopsided smile. “You’re alright, kid.”

“Thanks…Dad.” I teased.

And you know what? The sense of pride that flushed through me when Jaeger laughed was totally worth the awkwardness of meeting the parents. It made me think that maybe, after all this Dreadhunter bullshit was done and over, I might just get a loving family after all.

It only took twenty-six years, but hey, who’s counting?