"Hello," I said.
She stared up at me, her eyes filling with tears, her arms going out. I jumped down and into them and hugged her as hard as I could, Dad hugging me from behind, the three of us together again. What I wanted. The thing I'd fought for the hardest in those negotiations. Give me back my family. And I'd won. Whatever else happened, I had this, so I'd won.
We walked around the van to talk privately for a while. It wasn't really much of a talk. More like long periods of silent hugging and crying, interspersed with rapid-fire questions.
When we finished hugging and crying our hearts out, I dried my eyes and said, "There's someone I'd like you to meet." And I took them to Ash.
The next step for settling in was figuring out who'd live where. Obviously I'd stay with my parents, Corey with his mom, Hayley with her family. But what about the rest? The teens were given options pending any changes when the houses were complete. There were some obvious choices and some surprises.
Annie and Rafe were getting their own cabin. Sam decided to stay with Mrs. Tillson, even if she now knew she wasn't really her aunt. Tori opted out of staying with Kit, Simon, and Derek and instead wanted to stick with Lauren and Chloe. Both my parents and Chief Carling were quick to offer Daniel a new home. He considered, then took me aside and said, "I'm going with Corey. I think that's best."
"Okay," I said, heart hammering. "Is something wrong? You've stayed with us plenty of times and you know my parents would love to have you. I would, too."
"Would you really? Me there, day in, day out? It sounds cool, but . . ." He met my gaze. "I want to be your friend, Maya. Not your brother." His eyes bore into mine, as if searching for something. "Is that what you want? A brother?"
"No." The answer came automatically. I didn't want that. Had never thought of him like that. He was right, in ways he didn't even know--if I was still working through what I felt for him, living together wouldn't be the right move.
"I already have a brother," I said, managing a smile. "And he's quite enough to deal with."
Speaking of Ash, that was the next matter of discussion. Antone was staying on-site as our Cabal liaison and he wanted Ash to come live with him. My parents knew who Antone really was, and I'm not sure how they felt about that. Mom said it would be good to have my biological father in my life, but I still think they would have been happier if that meant "visiting every other weekend," not "living a few doors down." Moreno was staying, too--as head of a new security detail. Yes, Chief Carling was no longer enough for us. While she'd be involved, we were now getting full-time guards, though the Cabal promised they were there for our protection, not prison guards. We'd see about that.
As for Ash, though, Antone wasn't his only option. My parents had also offered. I don't think Antone was pleased about that. But Ash was their daughter's brother and they'd be thrilled to have him if that was what he wanted.
Again, I got pulled away for a side discussion.
"What do you want me to do?" Ash asked when we were out of earshot.
"Dumb question," I said. "You're my brother. I want you to be with me."
That seemed to catch him off guard and he scowled, as if I was mocking him.
"What?" I said. "Yes, you're a pain in the ass, but they tell me that's what to expect from a brother." I touched his arm lightly. "Seriously. I know Calvin really wants you and I feel bad for him, losing us, but if you're asking my honest opinion, I'm going to be selfish and say stay with us."
"You think they mean it? Your parents? Or are they just being nice?"
"Oh, they're never nice. You'll figure that out if you come live with us." I paused, sobering as I let him think it over. "You can always change your mind if it doesn't work out. Calvin would be happy to take you at any point."
He met my gaze. "You can change your mind, too. None of that polite Canadian crap. If it doesn't work, say so. I'll respect you more for that than if you grit your teeth and put up with me."
"Understood. So you'll stay with us?"
He nodded. I reached over and hugged him, whether he wanted it or not.
By evening I was feeling a little overwhelmed, and told my parents I was taking a walk. I hadn't gone very far before I heard footsteps behind me and caught a familiar scent. I turned, smiling, to see Rafe.
"Hey, you," I said. "Getting away from it all, too."
"Coming to talk to you, actually."
I kept smiling, hoping he'd smile back, but he just kept walking toward me, face unreadable.
He was going to ask for answers. Had I thought about everything? Did I know what I felt for Daniel? Was I still "with" him or was that over now? It wasn't over. I only had to look at him to know it wasn't over. But how did I say "We're still good," when I couldn't answer those other questions?
"I never did thank you," I said, desperately trying to deflect the coming questions, "for playing decoy back in Salmon Creek."
He shrugged. "It was the right move. Until I start shifting, Daniel's got better defensive powers. And I know, no matter what happens, he'll watch out for you."
I moved toward him. "He's not the only one. I seem to recall you dropped from a helicopter for me."