Page 70 of Fractured Grief
IlovedSeb.
I wasin love with him.
My heart was full, and I noticed he was similarly affected as his eyes welled with tears of joy. We could do this. We could get through this and anything else that came our way,together.
“Well, this deserves a celebratory lunch,” Yaya tittered. “Katerina, Sebastian’s here. With his boyfriend,” Yaya called out, her voice booming. She was a walking contradiction. She looked like a sweet little grandma, but really, she was the powerhouse of the family and took no shit. She was strong and loud and the head of this boisterous family.
Kat came through a side door, a large smile on her face. “Sebastian, it’s so good of you to stop by. Indy, it’s lovely to see you again. Did you and Hazel have a good night?” Her smile was contagious, and motherly warmth radiated from her.
“We did, and thank you again for everything you prepared for us. It was so thoughtful and helped a lot.” This whole family was blowing my mind with their kindness and generosity. At times, it was overwhelming.
“Are you my Gramma now?” Hazel spoke up, surprising all of us with her words. She looked between all of us. “Cause Daddy and Mr. Seb are boyfriends, and you said that we’re family, so you can be my Gramma. I’ve never hadone before.”
“Oh, sweetheart,” Kat spoke as she knelt down to be level with Hazel. “I’d love nothing more than to be your Yaya.”
“I thought her name was Yaya,” Hazel whisper shouted as she pointed at Seb’s Yaya.
We all chuckled.
“Oh, she is. But Yaya means Grandma in Greek, and I was born there, so I still think of a grandma as a Yaya,” Kat explained.
“Hmm, well, you can’t have the same name cause that would be confusing,” Hazel thought out loud. “What else do they call a Gramma in Greece?”
“They say Nána or Náni or even Nanny Yaya. Which do you like better?”
Hazel thought for a moment, tapping her chin with her forefinger. “You can be Nanny Yaya that way, you’re still a Yaya.”
“That sounds wonderful.” Kat was beaming at my daughter, her face shining with love and appreciation. My chest clenched at all the sweetness on display.
“Can your Nanny Yaya have a hug?” Kat asked as she opened her arms wide, and Hazel stepped into them. Kat looked up at me and Seb with tears in her eyes.
I was similarly affected as I surreptitiously wiped my eyes, overwhelmed with happiness and the new family we’d found, all because I was assigned to Seb’s recovery.
I needed to pinch myself and ensure it wasn’t a dream. Everything I ever wanted in a partner was currently standing by my side, a solid presence that made me feel safe,cherished, andlovedin ways I never thought were possible.
“You should have lunch with us,” Hazel declared, breaking me out of my thoughts. “We should have lunch as a family.”
Her innocent words melted everyone’s hearts.
Chapter 35
Seb
Seeing the emotions flowing over my Ma’s face showed just how much she longed for grandkids. She’d be a natural Nanny Yaya.
We all moved to a table to do as Hazel mentioned. We chatted and ate as various foods were brought out. Yaya and Ma engaged Hazel and Indy whenever they could, and I loved that they’d so readily accepted them into the family.
We were finishing up when Lyric strode in, looking a little more haggard than usual.
He stopped at the counter, taking in our table of food and Ma and Yaya sitting with us. Emotions flashed across his face too quickly for me to recognize as he walked our way. His carefree smile graced his face, but it didn’t reach his eyes.
“Well, isn’t this cozy. Why wasn’t I invited?” he asked playfully, winking at Indy, because of course Lyric just had to stir the pot.
“You should join us,” Indy suggested as Hazel nodded emphatically.
“Yes! We’re family, so you don’t need to be sad anymore.” At her words, the whole table froze.
“I’m not sad,” Lyric stated, even though his voice wavered.
