Girls’ night is actually really fun. We sit on the couch, wine glasses in hand, shouting at the TV like it personally offended us. The rom-com lineup is tragic in the best way, every single movie a disaster of questionable choices and red flags disguised as rustic charm.
“Babe…” Laura groans, tipping her head back as she points at the screen.
“You’re a well off professional city girl who loves her job. Why are you agreeing to move to a farm for some sub par man who’s been an ass for like ninety percent of the movie?” He complains.
“Right? I don’t care how good his jawline is.” I add, swirling my wine.
“Do not let the flannel fool you.” I sass.
“He doesn’t even smile.” Rina chimes in from where she’s curled up with a blanket. And then, of course, he rides in on a literal horse to pick her up in the rain. We all groan collectively like we’ve just seen a horror movie twist.
“Oh, come on!” Laura yells.
“He insulted your career and your lifestyle! He owns goats! What are you doing girl?!” She throws popcorn, courtesy of Lukas, at the screen in protest. Roxy immediately bolts off the rug to 'help’ with cleanup, her tail wagging like this is the best night of her life. I think she very much enjoys girls’ night. Lukas stays mostly in my room, working on something on his computer. He checks in on us every now and then, refreshing our drinks, dropping off snacks, and generally tolerating our yelling. At first, I feel a little guilty. We got interrupted earlier and haven’t exactly returned to our important and probably long overdue discussion, but… The more I drink and laugh and unwind, the less I worry about it. Because it’s good. This is good. By the time the clock hits one in the morning, we’re all sleepy and way too giggly. Laura’s boyfriend, Kyle, shows up to collect the tipsy duo. Lukas helps herd them towards the door, steadying Rina as she tries to put her coat on upside down and catching Laura’s wine glass before it hits the ground. I stand in the doorway, barefoot and leaning slightly on my crutch, watching them with a smile.
“Will you be alright with them?” Lukas asks, always the responsible one. Kyle sighs dramatically, but his eyes are warm as he looks at Laura beaming up at him.
“I’ll take Rina back to the bar, Torin can tuck her into bed or whatever. Then I’ll take Laura home with me. It’ll be fine.” He answers. His tone is grouchy, like he’s being incredibly inconvenienced, but the affection in his face and the way he smiles when Laura kisses his cheek completely betrays him. He doesn’t mind at all. When Lukas comes back inside, he spots me still standing and immediately frowns.
“Okay, no.” He says.
“You’re way too drunk to be wobbling around on those crutches. You’ll definitely hurt yourself.” He says firmly, then he crosses the room in two strides, then hooks one arm around my back and the other under my knees. I giggle as he lifts me off the floor and wrap my arms around his neck.
“You’re nice. Like Kyle is.” I comment. He blinks, clearly trying to decode my wine hazy thoughts. It takes him a second, but he figures it out.
“Thanks?” He says cautiously as he carries me back to bed. He gently lowers me down, pulling the blanket over me and tucking me in.
“Are you feeling better now, beautiful?” He asks.
“You were upset earlier.” He adds softly, pushing my hair out of my face. I wave a hand vaguely in the air.
“I’m great!” I say cheerfully. Then I grin and hold out my arms.
“Come here.” I demand. I might not be up to having an actual conversation, but I still want cuddles. He smiles, slow and warm, and climbs into bed beside me, pulling me into his arms.
“We’ll talk later.” He murmurs into my hair. I think I say something back, but I’m already half asleep in his arms, heart warm and full.
I really DID plan to have a proper conversation with Lukas. But somehow, it just… Never seemed like the right time. Saturday was a write-off. I was completely consumed by a hangover and the quiet shame of how much popcorn I let Roxy eat off the floor. And Sunday morning, before I can even THINK about revisiting that half finished conversation, I wake up to a message from Richard inviting us over to visit Wren. Apparently, he’s staying with Richard now, officially. Somehow Richard’s managed to get temporary guardianship. If all goes well, I think they’re going to make it permanent. It probably seems sudden. Like things are moving too fast. But there’s a different system for magical kids. One that skips a lot of the red tape. It’s too risky to place someone like Wren in a regular human household. Even without training, a scared or stressed out kid with magic can lose control in ways that are dangerous, not just for themselves, but for everyone around them. We all saw that firsthand. So when it comes to supernatural adoptions, they move fast. If the guardian is capable, if there are no other living relatives, and, most importantly, if the kid wants to stay, then that’s usually enough. When Lukas and I arrive at Richard’s place, Lindy is already there, and Cole’s ghost cab is parked in the driveway. He must’ve brought her. Apparently, as long as the taxi is parked, Cole can drift just far enough away to reach Richard’s living room, though only if he goes through the walls to get there. Which, as a ghost, he can. Inside, Richard and Wren are locked in a dramatic back and forth. Wren is insisting he should be homeschooled. Richard is trying to explain that he has no clue how to do that, and that Wren needs to be around kids his own age. Lindy’s watching them with a fond little smile, while Lukas weighs in with commentary about the merits of formal education like he’s reviewing a tax policy. I drift over to where Cole is half phased into the corner of the wall, watching everything with that ghost stillness of his.
“Wren seems to be settling in well here.” I comment softly. Cole nods, his expression distant, sad around the edges.
“Yes… He probably won’t need me much longer.” He sighs, then he glances over at Lindy.
“Neither of them will.” He adds. There’s something final in his voice that makes my stomach twist. I don’t fully know the details of Cole’s connection to Lindy, but I know enough to understand that they’re close. That he’s been there for her as long as he’s been able.
“Oh, are you… Planning on going somewhere?” I murmur.
“Eventually I’ll have to move on.” Cola answers. He doesn’t say it dramatically. Just with a kind of tired acceptance. Like it’s not sad, just… True.
“I may need Wren’s help with that, when the time comes. The dead aren’t meant to linger forever. Solem should’ve made that clear enough.” He pauses, gaze steady.
“I was a necromancer in life. That gives me some leeway. It’s been a gift, being able to interact with the living the way I do. But I can’t stay. Not forever.” He explains. My throat tightens. I want to argue. To tell him that we still need him. That he’s still wanted here. But I know that’s selfish. He’s dead. Staying too long, even for good reasons, can twist things. We’ve seen what happens when spirits cling to this world for the wrong reasons. Still...
“You… Won’t leave yet, right?” I ask quietly.
“Wren might not need your help, but I don’t think he could handle losing you. Not now. Things are just starting to get stable for him.” I point out. Cole nods, slowly.
“I know. And I don’t plan to go anywhere just yet.” He assures me.
“I’ll stay until he’s older. Until he’s an adult. I promised my sister I’d watch over him.” He says firmly. Then he glances toward Wren, who’s currently faking a cough to escape the idea of ‘PE’.
“But every time I delay leaving… It gets harder to go. And I think… I think I need to make up my mind. And stick to it.” Cole adds. I let out a shaky breath and nod.
“I understand.” I whisper. I don’t envy him that conversation with Wren. He gives me a quiet smile. Things are settling. Really settling. Richard and Wren are talking about school. I’m going back to work tomorrow. Everything’s falling into place. But somehow, instead of feeling normal, it feels like I’ve outgrown something I didn’t know was too small. Like I’ve been living in a shirt I used to love, and only now realise it doesn’t fit anymore. Not because something’s wrong. But because maybe… I’ve changed.