Don't Poke the Luna (Xena and Ryder)

Chapter 247

Xena's POV

Ryder parked the car a short distance away so I could see the entire House and take it all in. It looked like if had weathered years of storms and neglect.

My heart started pounding as we approached. A white screen door stood in front of the wooden front door. As I got out of the car and started walking toward it, I noticed brushes and various tools scattered on one side of the porch.

The bushes had been trimmed back, and fresh flowers were planted the flower beds. No doubt Penelope had been out here working in the midday sun. There was even a decent-sized tree with small baby swing hanging from one of its branches. The swing was stained from accumulated rainwater and years of neglect, but knowing my mother had hung it there for Logan and me to use someday felt heartwarming.

Penelope didn't speak, just watched as I wandered around observing everything carefully. Trash bags were filled with scraped paint and cobweb- covered rags, and there was a distinct smell of bleach in the air. Next to the trash bags were moldy cushions. Looking at the porch, they must have replaced the moldy ghes with new ones. What caught my attention was that Penelope had chosen fabric almost identical to what

keep the feeling of this place intact. This attention to detail showed she truly wanted to honor my mother's memory rather than simply remodeling according to

left to cry, I probably would have broken down right there.

the steps, Logan opened the front door for me. Penelope had already gone

the wall. The living room opened up to my right. It was a fairly spacious living room with two dark gray sofas positioned opposite each other, and two

put your feet up on the couch without worrying about anyone getting upset. Pictures hung on the walls. I recognized my mother's parents from other photos Dad had shown us. Since Mom was an only child, I assumed those older baby pictures were of her. Photos in gold frames sat on the mantelpiece, which I guessed were of Mom growing up. One was of her at about nine months old, then one of her around five or six years old. Next was her high school prom photo, and finally one of her and Dad with her pregnant belly. They looked so in

you to see it before we make any changes," Penelope said, pulling my

walking up beside me. He picked up the photo I'd been looking at and held it in his

more details I noticed. The white ceiling fan had gold trim designs. The curtains were pure white sheer material covering wooden