“What were those things?” Kristy asks, and some of the heaviness sinks back down on us. She waves her hands in the air. “We’ll figure it out in the morning.”
“Yeah.” I rub my eyes, smearing my mascara. I don’t even care at this point. I still have dried blood in my hair and a rather nasty-looking scab on my arm.
I tear the paper off the box and open the lid, pulling out a photo album. I’m hit with emotion as soon as I open it.
“Abby,” I say, looking up at my sister.
“It’s kind of lame, I know,” she says, looking just as emotional as I feel. I turn the page, looking at childhood photos of the two of us. “I tried cutting out Dad and Scott the best I could. I might have put Zac Efron’s face over a few, too.”
“That’s you?” Lucas asks, sitting next to me on the couch.
“Yes, in all my toddler glory.”
“Did the Martins know you had powers then?”
I shake my head. “I think they started when I was around three or four, right?” I look at Abby.
“Right.” Abby closes her eyes, unable to keep the tears at bay. She still harbors a lot of guilt for what happened to me, even though I’ve told her over and over I don’t blame her.
“I was still blissfully normal then.” I flip another page. “Penny looks just like you here.” I point to a picture of Abby and look at my niece, who’s actually playing with the toys I got her.
“You didn’t look like a Martin then,” Lucas says, matter-of-factly.
“No, I guess I didn’t. But I was a cute baby.”
“You were,” Lucas agrees, and suddenly I’m waiting for someone to point out how it doesn’t matter if I was cute or hideous as a child. It’s not like I can have a baby of my own.
“Should we have cake?” I ask, flipping another page. “It’s getting close to Penny’s bedtime, I’m sure.”
“I’d love some cake,” Kristy says, sensing my discomfort. “I’ll put the candles in.”
Kristy brings the cake into the dining room, and we all gather around the table. Using magic, she lights the candles, and everyone sings me happy birthday, and we talk about things not demon-related as we eat.
“It’s been a night,” I say as Abby packs up her diaper bag once the night is through.
“You can say that again.” She shoves a clean diaper back into the bag. “You amaze me, Callie. What you do…what you’ve been through…you’re like a superhero.”
I wrinkle my nose and shrug. “Nah. I’m just doing what I have to do to get by. And preventing an apocalypse benefits us all.”
“Are you going to be okay?” she asks, zipping up the bag.
“Yeah. I’ll be fine. I’ve got everything under control.” I look through the living room at Kristy and Ruby, who are doing dishes. “I never thought Ruby would join my girl gang, but having her definitely helps.”
“I’m missing a whole story there, aren’t I?”
“She hated me because I was better than her,” I rush out. “But I think I’ve misjudged her this whole time.”
“I don’t know how I can help, but if I can, you know you can call me, right?”
“Always. Though let’s keep our fingers crossed you don’t need to stitch anyone up in the near future.”
“That’s a good plan.” Abby gets to her feet and turns, looking at Phil. He’s sitting on the couch with Penny, who’s giggling like crazy at Pandora. She’s eating the attention up and has been batting around a plastic mouse for the last few minutes just to entertain the kid.
“I’m sorry tonight didn’t go quite as planned,” I tell both Abby and Phil as they start toward their car.
“Don’t be sorry,” Abby says. “You’re…you’re incredible, Callie. I’m lucky I get to call you my sister. I love you.” She throws her arms around me, hugging me tightly before breaking away and taking Penny from Phil.
“I still haven’t quite processed this,” Phil says. “But you’re pretty badass, Callie.”
“Yeah,” I agree with a laugh. “I am.”
I walk them to their car, hug Abby and Penny again, promise to check in later, and watch them drive away. Then I go back in, finding Kristy and Ruby in the kitchen.
“Do you want me to stay?” Kristy asks. “I totally will if you want me to.”
“Lucas and I haven’t had the house to ourselves in a while,” I tell her, and Ruby rolls her eyes. “Go home, get some rest, and I’ll call you in the morning.” I look at Ruby. “And I’m walking you to the door.”
“I, uh, I think I’ll go, too,” Kristy says. “Vanessa and Betty open tomorrow, and I’ll sleep much better inside the Covenstead.”
“With Evander?” I add under my breath, and Kristy shakes her head. “Thank you, guys, for everything.”
“You don’t have to thank me.” Kristy playfully elbows me.