I have to admit, it’s really weird pulling up to the house where I grew up, considering that the last time I was here I left in a helicopter clutching my half-dead mate’s hand. I glance in the rearview window at my two boys, suddenly realizing that this house is probably full of strange memories for them as well.

Was it wrong to bring them along?

But one glance at Ian lets me know that he, at least, is thrilled.

“Can we go in the basement?! Can we play in the jail where you were locked up, mama?!”

“Is that really what you want to do?” I ask, screwing up my face with distaste as I put the car in park out front.

Alvin bites his lip, looking at me, clearly not as eager to re-enact his trauma as Ian is. I laugh, shaking my head and starting to get out of the car. The boys join me in the driveway.

“Listen, you guys can both do what you want, but you should ask your grandmother first. See what she thinks.”

They both nod, starting to run up the stairs to the house. As they reach the top, the door opens and my mother’s beaming face appears. “Evelyn! Ian, Alvin! Lovely!” she calls, laughing as the boys run to hug her.

I smile, surprised. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her…

Well, as I climb the stairs after my boys, I realize that my mother has always been the perfect Luna, which means answering the door with a gracious smile. Even a warm greeting like this would have made my father frowning at her, giving her the message – however implicit – that she was embarrassing him.

As I reach the top of the stairs and lean to give her a kiss on the cheek, I’m suddenly furious for her, that she’s lived a life so hemmed in she couldn’t even be excited to see her grandchildren. At least, not until now, when he’s locked away in a jail.

“Are you all right, darling?” she asks, peering at me closely.

“Yes, mama,” I say, giving her a warm smile. “I’m sorry – lost in my thoughts.”

Luna always is,” she murmurs, glancing pointedly at my left hand. I laugh, spreading my

eye for diamonds,” I say, a

gives me an extra squeeze and then releases me. “I think you two are good for each other. He has certainly proved that he’s willing to fight for you.” Her

her about their lives and their school,

I come in, Emma rushes across the room, laughing, happy

a little and grinning at the

hand so she can see. Emma gasps and then wraps me again in

she’s been calling this for weeks –

I used to love those

her social media if she wants,” I say, shrugging. “That way

as we move to the couch. “Please

media people get in touch with her about it. Someone’s got to break it to

press?” Alvin

pulling him close to me. “To Miss

says, flushing red. “I haven’t even asked her

the rear. “You two go find something to do around the house,” I say,

in the kitchen,” my mother says, leaning forward

they be back to listen at the door in a moment?” Emma asks, curious, knowing

I say, looking after them. “With a

mother says, looking at me seriously. I c**k my head to the side, suddenly

today, and I didn’t tell them why, but as I look between both of them I realize that I’ve been

looking down to where my hands are pressed against

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