Chapter 53

Chapter 53
Two months later.

The late-afternoon sun bathed the garden in golden light, casting long shadows across the freshly mowed grass. I sat beneath the shade of the jacaranda tree, my hair catching flecks of sunlight as Senna braided small strands with wildflowers. Tristan moved between the kitchen and the garden, carrying trays of finger foods and pitchers of lemonade, his sleeves rolled up and a soft smile playing on his lips.

Daniel stood by the barbecue, flipping skewers with practiced ease. He wore a faded blue shirt and jeans, his usual guarded expression softened by the scent of grilled vegetables and the sound of laughter drifting through the yard. Tito was standing beside him, still trying to get Daniel fully on his side. Yes, progress has been made, but not a significant amount. They were both extremely stubborn.

It was a small gathering—just close friends and family. A celebration of my recovery, of my return home, of the quiet miracle that had unfolded in their lives, and my engagement to Tristan. The garden had been decorated with string lights and mismatched cushions. A table was set with simple flowers and handmade cards from Senna, each one bearing a message of love and hope.

I watched it all with a quiet sense of awe. Just months ago, she had been lying in a hospital bed, unsure if she’d ever see her daughter’s smile again, uncertain if her body would heal, if her mind would stay whole. Now, I was here. Home. Surrounded by love.

“Mommy, look!” Senna held up a flower crown she’d made, her eyes sparkling.

“It’s beautiful,” I say to  Senna as I place it gently on her head.

“You look like a fairy queen,” Tristan said as he joined us, handing me a glass of lemonade.

“I feel like one,” I reply, smiling. “A very tired fairy queen.”

“You’re glowing,” he said, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “And you’re here. That’s all that matters.”

As the sun dipped lower, casting the garden in amber hues, Daniel clinked a spoon against his glass. The chatter quieted, and all eyes turned to him.

“I’m not great at speeches,” he began, clearing his throat. “But I wanted to say something.”

I sit up straighter, my hand instinctively reaching for Tristan’s.

Daniel looked around, his gaze lingering on me, then Senna, then Tristan. “These past years have been… hard. For all of us, losing my dad and sister to eventually finding her and rescuing her, and my niece to finding another dad, and now here. I am glad that everything has turned out the way it has. Sure, we could have gone without some of the adventures, but I am not sorry to have both Alba and Senna back in my life.”

The garden was silent, the only sound the soft rustle of leaves.

My eyes fill with tears as my heart aches at the vulnerability in his voice.

“But, when I found them and saw that they had this family at their backs, I knew that they were finally getting the happiness that they deserved. Tristan, I am proud to call you brother, and I am sure that while you think life is good, these two will keep you on your toes. I am also thankful that you have kindly allowed me to join this family. Here is to Alba, Senna, and Tristan, and to all of us seeking their kind of happiness.

He raised his glass as did everyone else in the yard. “To happiness,” Daniel calls as it gets repeated by all.

Daniel walked over and crouched beside me. “You’re still my sister,” he said softly. “And I’ll always be here.”

I hug him tightly. “You’ll never lose me, Daniel. You’re part of me.”

As the evening wore on, the garden filled with music and laughter. Senna danced barefoot on the grass, Tristan twirled me gently in his arms, and Daniel sat back, watching it all with a quiet smile.

The pain hadn’t vanished. The scars were still there. But so was the joy. So was the love.

And for the first time in a long while, everything felt whole. Like for the first time since we were brought into this world, a gentle pull of something mending had started.

Something we all needed and welcomed with open arms.
“What happens now?” I ask as Tristan continues to dance me around the grassy section where we were dancing.
“Now we live!” Tristan murmurs into my ear

“Senna is excited about starting at school next week.”
“Argh! Please don’t remind me. I still think that it would be better for her not to go. She is only little and we should keep her home for another few years so that we can enjoy this time,” Tristan growls.

“What?” I gasp

“I don’t want her to go. Look what happened last time.” Tristan mutters.
“Daniel won’t let that happen. He has vetted the school closely, and Dana even has her teaching degree and will be teaching at the school as well. Added to the fact that you and your family have all hired friends and family who are all qualified and the security, I am sure that Senna will be safe.”  I say. While I believe the words that are coming out of my mouth, I am also hesitant to let her go. We almost lost her, and I really don’t want to experience that again. I want to keep her home, and I want to make sure that no one can hurt us again, but I also know that Senna is smart and full of life. Keeping her home isn’t going to be the answer.

“Well, maybe we could keep her home for the rest of this term and then look at sending her to school,” Tristan says just as his brother walks up.

“What are we talking about?” Lachy asks as he stops beside us.
“Senna and school,” I reply.
“Nope, not happening. Senna and I are going backyard camping next week, and then Daniel and I are taking her on a fishing trip,” Lachy growls.

I chuckle as the men start to agree as they join us one by one.