Page 148 of The Pacifist
I spoke up. “But Nero, don’t you live on the East Coast?”
“Yes.”
“I thought you were going home tomorrow. How will you have time together with Anne if she stays here at the Manor?”
“Well, I’m hoping that Anne might want to come back with me.”
“Yeah, we’ll figure it out.” Anne waved at us and began walking. The last thing I heard before they were out of earshot was Nero saying, “I have a really nice place with a view of the water. I think you’d love it there.”
Rising up on my toes, I hugged Jonah. “I’m afraid your little sister might never move back to the Motherlands.”
“If Nero makes her as happy as you make me, then you won’t hear me complain.”
Kissing his soft lips, I whispered into his mouth, “I love you so much, Jonah.”
His arms wrapped around my waist and he pulled me close. “I love you even more.”
Epilogue
The Picnic
Two years and two months later
June 2451
Jonah
“Why did we have to go on a stupid hike?” Mason had a stick in his hands and was swinging it at the vegetation along the trail.
I laughed at his sulky expression. “Mason, you’re thirteen. You should love being outside.”
When the moody teen didn’t answer, our mother did it for him. “He does, but not with his family. We’re not cool enough.”
Mason rolled his eyes and hit a bit harder. “I didn’t say that.”
“Why don’t you run ahead to Dina and Aubri? They look like they’re having fun.”
Mason didn’t react to Laura’s suggestion, so I tried striking up a conversation with him.
“Are you excited about Raven’s party tonight?”
“I guess.”
“Hopefully, you can find some more enthusiasm than that. Raven has worked her butt off for the last four years and now we get to celebrate her being the first fully trained female police officer in the Northlands. Her indomitable spirit is inspirational.”
Mason frowned but gave me a sideways glance. “What does indomitable mean?”
“Unbeatable. Haven’t you noticed how Raven doesn’t take no for an answer and doesn’t need pep talks. She’s got a core of strength that she pulls from, one that’s bigger than any others I’ve ever seen.”
“I’m strong too and I can take Raven in a fight any day.”
Magni chuckled next to me. “Yeah, you are strong, Mason, but there are different kinds of strength.”
“Is that why you got that stupid tattoo on your arm? I liked the bear better.”
Magni grabbed his son by his neck, and gestured for Mila and Laura to bypass us. “I’ve told you what this tattoo represents.”
Only sounds of annoyance came from Mason.
