Page 84 of Unbidden

“Anytime, Sage. Anytime,” he calls over his shoulder.

∞∞∞

I’m sitting on the couch with an unopened book in my lap, unable to tear my gaze from the window. Snow is falling softly outside. I’ve seen snow before but nothing quite as peaceful as this.

A knock sounds at the door, and I turn to find Aunt Alice.

“Hey,” I greet her.

“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” she asks, nodding towards the window.

“It is,” I tell her while turning back to look outside.

“I swear before here, I was never a fan of winter. At home it’s a hassle. Snow and slush just delay our schedules, constantly putting us behind for several months a year. But here? Here it’s soothing. It gives you a reason to slow down and appreciate the people and things around us.”

“I never really thought about it, but that’s true.”

“I sent Victoria and Richard out for some s’mores stuff.”

“Oh?” I say with a raised brow.

“I figured it would be a good time to talk,” she continues without looking at me.

“About?” I trace the cover of the book I’ve been holding.

“I wanted to know how you’re adjusting. You’ve been with us for a while now.”

“Honestly?” I ask softly.

“Always honestly,” she replies with some hesitation in her voice.

“I’m happy. Happier than I thought I would be.”

I watch her relax out of the corner of my eye.

“That’s good. That’s all Richard and I could ask for. We always wanted a larger family, but it wasn’t in the cards for us,” she says with a shrug. “And I know you’re not ours, but we love you like you’re our own. We love you so much that if you still decide to leave once you’re eighteen, we’ll understand. We just hope you don’t.”

“I don’t know what I’ll do, but I do appreciate your support. I don’t know if I’ve said it or not, but thank you. You and Richard didn’t have to take me in, and you did. You made me feel included, like I belonged. I honestly don’t think you realize how big of a deal that is, but I do.”

“You will always belong with us, Sage, no matter what.” There’s so much conviction in her eyes, and I know she truly means it.

A door slamming breaks the moment.

“Honey, I’m home,” Richard yells up the stairs.

Aunt Alice and I look at each other and start giggling at his antics.

“Come on. That fire and the s’mores are calling our names,” she says while offering me a hand.

“Hey, Alice.” I stop her at the edge of the room.

“Yeah?”

“I think I’m ready to have that conversation.”

“About your father?” she asks softly.

“Yeah, I think it’s time.”

---