I laugh. “That’s because I order you a hot chocolate from Starbucks, not coffee.”
“Oh, well, I like that better.”
I shake my head at her.
“So, do you live here now?” Rose asks Liesel.
Liesel looks to me for help, but I’m not going to help her.
“Would you like that?” Liesel asks her.
Rose pulls on the end of her shirt and decides to change the subject. “When is Atlas coming?”
I glance at my phone to check the time. “Any minute now.”
“Good,” she says, closing her eyes and letting the sun hit her face.
We re
lax, enjoying the sun and watching the road until two black SUVs roll up. We all jump up and run to the driveway as the cars come to a rolling stop.
Rose gets to the SUVs before Liesel or I do.
She throws open the back door and sticks her head in to find Atlas.
“Atlas!” I hear her happy cry as she wraps her arms around him.
“Okay, Rose, let him breathe,” I say as I step up behind her.
She doesn’t listen. She lifts him out of the car, still hugging onto him.
I shake my head, but I feel the same urge, so I wrap my arms tightly around them both. There was a time that holding them both in my arms made me feel whole, but not anymore.
Not without Liesel.
Not without Declan.
Right now, I feel the parts of me that are missing.
I don’t know how to introduce Atlas to Liesel. He’s more timid and cautious than Rose, and this is all a lot for Liesel.
“Liesel, come here,” Rose says in a frustrated tone.
Liesel rushes over. “What’s wrong?”
Rose lets Atlas go long enough to take his hand. “Atlas, this is Liesel. I know she has a funny name, but she saved my life, so she’s one of us now.”
Atlas falls into Liesel’s arms, shocking the hell out of Rose and me. Liesel collapses her arms around him. They don’t speak; they don’t need to. Apparently, they already have a strong connection.
Finally, Atlas lets go of Liesel.
Rose’s jaw has dropped to the floor. “How did you do that? Who are you?”
Liesel brushes Rose’s cheek. “That’s a question for another day.”
Rose blinks rapidly and then takes Atlas’ hand again. “Are you okay? Did they hurt you?”
“No, I’m not hurt. Uncle Zeke and Aunt Siren saved me. Are you hurt? I should have been there to protect you,” Atlas says.