Page 4 of A Silenced Midlife

Zoey and Larry didn't need to be told twice. They grabbed their bags and stepped into the portal, emerging into Ava and Drew's kitchen. Zoey immediately dropped her luggage and made a beeline for the babies. Michelle smiled warmly, handing freshly made bottles to her.

"Here you go, little ones," Zoey cooed gently as she took one of the bottles and began feeding Imogene.

"Thanks," Zoey said softly, her yellow cat eyes softening with affection. “I missed these guys.”

"Selby, too" Ava said, taking the little ogre baby from Wallie despite his protest. "He's probably starving."

“Mom, I can feed him.”

Ava waved him off, then pulled Zoey into a one-arm hug. “I missed my ghouls.”

Just as she said that, Larry wrapped his arms around both women and the babies. “We’re glad to be home.”

After the flurry of greetings and hugs, we gathered around in the living room since the kitchen table was filled with magic books and a laptop.

"New Orleans was amazing," Larry said while waving his hand. "And Zoey's family... they're something else."

Zoey chimed in with details about her family's quirks and traditions, her voice filled with fondness despite the oddity of her undead state.

"Her cousin Etienne makes the best gumbo." Larry licked his lips at the memory.

"Better than any restaurant there," Zoey agreed, then laughed. "And my uncle tried to teach Larry how to dance. You should've seen it."

"Let's just say dancing's not really in my skill set," Larry admitted.

As Zoey continued to feed Imogene, her tail occasionally flicked back and forth. It was good to have her back. The cozy chatter filled the room, a much needed respite from the day's earlier tension.

"I'll make some tea." I stood and headed to the kitchen.

"Make mine strong, Liv," Sam called out with a weary smile.

"Got it," I replied, pulling out the teabags and filling the kettle.

I got Sam a mug that looked a little different from everyone else’s so I wouldn't mix his up. He needed a little booster to stomach any human food. A booster, AKA my blood. I took a knife out of Ava’s knife drawer and pricked my finger. I did it often, but it never stopped freaking hurting.

"Shoot," I muttered, quickly squeezing a few drops into Sam's mug.

"Here you go." I handed him the steaming cup, then extended my injured finger toward Ava without a word.

Without looking up from Selby, Ava reached over and touched her fingertip to mine. The skin knit together instantly, the cut disappearing as if it had never been there. We'd done this dance countless times; it required no thanks or explanation.

I handed out the rest of the tea and sat down while Ava filled Larry and Zoey in on all the fun we’ve had the last twenty-four hours while we waited for Melody and the coven to arrive.

3

AVA

My stomach growled as I walked into the kitchen, my thoughts on what I could whip up for everyone for lunch. We'd been buried in research since dawn, and breakfast was now a distant memory. As I moved to the fridge, I spotted a note stuck to the stove, scribbled in Winnie's hand.

Biscuits are in the oven, heading back to Faery, will pop in later, Winnie and Alfred.

How did I not hear them come in? A hello would've been nice. Maybe they slipped in and out while we were at the mayor's office. That had to be it. They wouldn’t just pop in and out without telling me unless I wasn’t here. Hence the note.

I opened the oven, the scent of biscuits hitting me before I saw them. They were a bit cold, so I cranked the heat, giving them a few more minutes to get that perfect golden brown.

"Those smell amazing," Wallie said, striding into the kitchen with Michelle right behind him, each holding one of the babies.

"Credit to Alfred," I replied, closing the oven. "He and Winnie left them for us."

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