Page 106 of Beneath Cherry Blossom Memories

When we pulled up to my parents' house, I noticedallmy siblings were there. Well, except one.

Oliver’s crusty Nissan is missing from the lineup in the driveway.

My parents know I’m back with Eli. I called and told them just to suck it the fuck up yesterday. I didn’t want my dad to give Eli side-eyes or rude remarks. He’s still not convinced Eli is right for me, but I think he’ll come around after time passes.

Mom and Nyx were on board. Mainly because of how well Eli has done with his recovery. I think that matters the most to them—that he’s trying. But I hadn’t told Veronica or Damien. I was planning on it, just nottoday.I glance at Eli, who shifts nervously in the passenger seat. Reaching across the center console to hold his hand, I smile to reassure him that it’s fine.

“I’m nervous,” he whispers.

“Don’t be. My parents know.”

“But the accident…”

“Was just that.”

“Phoenix,” he starts, swiveling to face me fully. “What I said to you that day. I never got to apologize for it. Never got to tell you that I didn’t mean any of it. I was high and upset because you called me out on it. I should have never said those things to you.”

I pull his hand to my lips and kiss it. “I’m sorry, too. I was awful. And I hope you know that you can count on me no matter what it is. I’m not going anywhere, sweetheart.”

He nods, taking a breath. “Thank you.”

“For?”

His pretty blue eyes water. “Seeing my worth. It’s something I’m working on, but you saw it first.”

I lean over and steal a kiss. “I wouldn’t have fallen in love with you if you weren’t worth it.”

A cute blush rushes to his cheeks, and he sniffles, wiping the moisture from his eyes. “Alright. Let’s get your baby.”

We get out of the car, our hands finding each other again, and walk up to the front door. It rips open, revealing one of my three nephews. The youngest of Damien’s sons, Lucas, beams up at me. I bend down to pull him into a hug.

“Uncle Fe!” he squeals happily. I set him down, catching the twins arguing by the stairs over Pokemon cards. Leo and Sebastian see me and rush over.

I greet them both, and they bump their knuckles with Eli’s. “It’s beenforeversince we saw you,” Leo blurts.

“Yeah. I had to deal with my issues,” he says easily. “How have you been, Sebastian?”

My nephew shrugs. “Grounded.”

“Grounded?” I ask, shocked.

“Yeah.” He nibbles his lip. “I stuck a firecracker in my volcano for the science fair.”

Eli laughs, and damn, it sounds good.

“PHOENIX!” Veronica shrieks, rushing to the foyer from the living room with Delilah in a baby wrap around her chest.

I catch my older sister, careful not to squash my niece, and we hug. I crane my head down to sniff Delilah and kiss the top of her head. She gurgles happily. Veronica sees Eli, a bit surprised but with an easy smile on her lips, while she gives him a side hug.

“How are you?” she asks.

“Better,” he says, straightening his shoulders.

“That’s great. I’m glad to hear it. DEKE!”

Deke pops up next. His long locs are coiled on top of his head, and his dark brown eyes sparkle when he sees me. I’ve always thought he was handsome. Those two have been together since high school. We exchange man hugs, the good ol’ one-armed back slap, and he greets Eli politely. Deke has some reservations, but he’s not an asshole.

"It's good to see you," Deke says to me.

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