I'm surprised. She almost ran away from her family so she barely has any contact with her parents anymore, but I know her brother and her have gotten closer as of late. For Kelsi, this would be a potential first step to making things a bit more official with Ben... She nods, looking a bit nervous.
"Just... you know. I've mentioned a couple of times I was seeing a guy, so my brother said he'd come around next month, and since I'll most likely spend Christmas with Ben's family..."
I can't stop smiling, happy for her. They don't look like it, but those two are definitely taking their own baby steps together... Kelsi doesn't add anything after that, her cheeks a bit pink, and I don't get more inquisitive, either. I know they need to take things at their own pace, and after what my poor Liam endured with my sister, I really can't blame them. I was lucky that Nathaniel and Damian were rather blunt in their attitude toward me since the beginning. Of course, it's a lot better now, and we are regularly invited to the family brunches. Nathaniel loves to complain that instead of taming Liam, I made him twice as wild... and I accept the compliment each time, of course.
We reach the cemetery, buying some flowers outside before going in. It's a bit strange how I feel fine going into that kind of space, but I think death is... somehow a part of me. I may have lost my Earth and Water Magic, but I can still feel the soil beneath us, the quiet and calm atmosphere floating between the tombstones. We quietly part, Kelsi naturally going toward Levi Lewis' grave. Meanwhile, I walk to the pair of white tombstones a bit farther. As expected of a former Alpha and Beta pair, they are well taken care of. I smile at Lysandra and her lover, and put down the purple flowers I chose. The truth is, their bodies were cremated with everyone else's after the battle. After what we had witnessed, it felt like a much better solution, and something that would appease both werewolves and humans, too... Still, we raised many tombstones here, so we could have a place to pray. I didn't cry at the funeral, and I never cry when I come here either. I can't really explain why... perhaps I had already grieved enough at the hospital. I apologized to Boyan, over and over, but he was the one who comforted me instead... That big guy hugged me despite his own state, telling me that at least his sister was gone with her mate, defending the pack like a Beta. His words in my mind make me choke up more than the sight of their names on the white stones... Lysandra was a part of my family too, and I'm grateful for what I learned from her. I mutter a silent prayer, and once I feel a bit better, I move on to the next place.
Little Mara's. It’s been cleaned, and now, I take care of it whenever I can. I had Clarissa's name added to it, so they can be together in death once more... and that's my own way to not forget them either. I leave them a big crown of flowers, and spend a few minutes in silence, going to what I call my mindspace to share my latest memories with them. I still feel as if a little part of them is with me. I don't want to ever forget how I came to be, my strange history, and our unique bond. They will always be in my heart... I chose not to tell the whole truth to Clarissa's older sister, and I'm sure this is what she would have wanted. Perhaps Amy already knows that her little sister has changed into... someone different, but she won't ask. It's perhaps better left that way.
“...Babe?”
I smile, and walk back to the cemetary's entrance, letting Liam feel my position. I hear his bike a couple of streets away from the cemetery, and wait until he parks it right in front of me. He takes off his helmet, his hair sexily untamed, and I lean in to kiss him.
"Hi, there," I chuckle against his lips.
"The cemetery, of course. Where else could my witch girlfriend be…?"
"Don't mock me," I chuckle. "I know you're not fond of it, but I still need to come from time to time."
"Yeah, yeah... I know."
We playfully exchange a couple more kisses, and I'm grateful I walked a block away from the cemetery because this is really not the place to act like we are... Liam already plays with the bottom of my skirt, making me shiver despite the clothing covering my skin like a barrier under his fingers. I love the smell of leather on him... it gives me naughty ideas. I think again about Kelsi's observations. I don't think we are over the honeymoon period yet. Moon Goddess, what will it be like when we actually have a wedding and a honeymoon? I can't imagine!
"You two really can't part for more than five minutes!" sighs Kelsi's voice behind us.
Liam and I exchange a complicit glance, and he wraps his arms around me, his head on my shoulder as we both turn to her.
"Sorry, not sorry," I chuckle. "What now? Any news from Ben?"
"He's still working, but I'll go and meet him," says Kelsi with a smile. "I love a nice walk in the hispanic neighborhood with him! Plus, I can't stay around you two, I don't want to be the third wheel... We’ll see you tonight at Nora's, okay?"
"Okay. Bring an extra jacket, though, I think it might snow..." I say, glancing up at the sky.
"Snow?" Kelsi repeats, surprised. "The sky is clear blue!"
I shrug, but she knows I'm rarely wrong. After a while, she sighs.
"Alright! But we have to go party after, right? We have classes late tomorrow, and I miss going dancing with you guys!"
I exchange a glance with Liam, and he nods excitedly. It's true we haven't gone partying in a while, and if we go to one of Nathaniel’s clubs, we get free drinks too.
"Deal," I smile. "Don't be late, though!"
"We won't! Don't get naughty!"
She walks away with a smile, taking out her phone, probably to call Ben or Bonnie and meet up with them. I chuckle as we watch her walk away, but Liam is restless. His lips are all over my shoulder already... After a while, I can't take it anymore, so I turn around and kiss him.
"So naughty," he smiles.
"You started it."
"Shall we go back to our place? We would be alone..."
I hesitate, but eventually bite the tip of his nose playfully, making him grimace.
"We just came back. Let's spend time with the family instead. I want to see Rose! I'm sure Nora will be happy to have us over sooner so we can play with the kids too."
"You mean play the nanny," he laughs, "but alright. I love those brats too. Oh, shall we bring them snacks? How about some warm churros or donuts?"
