“I was here last week and every single week for almost three hundred years,” I laughed.?
“It's not enough.”
“Della, sweetheart, ignore Henry. I think he forgets that you are a goddess and have things to do, unlike him since he retired.” Penelope rolled her eyes as she hugged me.?“He is driving me up the wall,” she whispered in my ear, making me laugh.
“Hi, Penelope. It smells so good in here.”?
“I made your favorite.”?
I smiled at the huge steaks on the table before I looked up at them.?Gods, I had never been more excited about anything in my life.
“Actually, I would like to take all of you somewhere for just a few minutes. I promise it won’t be long, and then we can come back and eat.”
“A surprise?” Henry’s eyes shined brightly, but he had no idea what I was about to show him.
“Yes, one that I think will make you all incredibly happy.”
Holden’s blonde brows pulled together. His hair was starting to turn white, and his youthful skin was now aging. It was odd to see him like this; he still looked so much like that boy I first met all those years ago. This is what Haden would look like if he hadn’t died.
“Yes, let’s go.” Sara clapped her hands. Her blonde hair was starting to fade to white, but she was still so beautiful.
“I am so excited.” Penelope reached forward and gripped my hand. I nodded and used my starlight to take us to the village in Kizar where Haden lived. When my magic disappeared, everyone was looking around confused.?
“We are still in… Kizar?” Penelope asked, confused. I chuckled at her disappointment. “Is this Raynor?”?
“Della, my dear, this is not what I thought you had in mind,” Henry teased.
“No one can see us, but we can only stay for a few minutes.” I glanced around and smiled. “He’s coming.”
“Who?” Holden asked.
“Him,” I whispered when Haden appeared at the end of the path. His stormy blue eyes glanced around as if he could feel me close by. I heard Holden take in a shaky breath. But I watched Penelope's and Henry's faces as they recognized their son. They were in shock at first before they started smiling and crying.?
“Haden,” Penelope said with such love in her voice that it made my chest ache.?
Holden shook his head and stared at Haden. I saw the devastation for only a moment before happiness took over. Haden walked past without seeing us, but he stopped and turned. His eyes seemed to glance to where I was standing before he smiled softly to himself. He knew I was watching.
“Storm,” he whispered, like I would come out. He glanced around, only two feet from his parents. He knew I was close by, but I wouldn’t show myself to him right now.
“Is it…him?” Holden asked me.
“Yes,” I whispered. “It is.”
“What is his name?” Holden asked.
I couldn’t help the smile that spread across my face.
“It is Haden.”?
“Oh, gods,” Penelope cried as she hugged Henry. “It’s our baby.”?
“Has he seen you?” Henry asked.?
“Yes,” I nodded.?
“Does he remember? He called you Storm.”?Henry looked at me for a brief moment.
“No, he doesn’t remember, but I admit that it is odd he calls me that.” I frowned. “Are you guys happy?”?