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.

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

sad. She was trying to maintain my mother's taste, to keep the feeling of this place intact. This attention to

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

opened the front door for me.

room with two dark gray sofas positioned opposite each other, and two matching black recliners directly facing the television. A glass coffee table sat between the sofas. A gray and white rug was spread between the two sofas

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

found it. I wanted you to see it before we make

with you, just tell me," Logan said, walking up beside me. He picked up the photo I'd been looking at and held it in his hands. "I won't throw

longer I looked, the more details I noticed. The white ceiling fan had gold trim designs. The curtains were pure white sheer material covering wooden blinds. Even the faded white paint on the walls desperately