Page 119 of Every Shattered Note
“I wouldn’t trust a child with me,” Alec mutters from across the room.“But I can help with the chickens or whatever.”He looks both sincere and slightly horrified, which makes Barret chuckle.
Yeah, I can’t imagine Alec alone with a baby.He would probably run away—after leaving the child with someone capable.
“Count me in,” I echo, not entirely sure if I just volunteered for baby duty or chicken duty.Maybe both.But I guess that’s what family is.You show up, even when you don’t know how.You give what you have.
A little silence wraps around us after that.Arlo has gone still against my chest, his breathing slow and warm.Otis stretches on the rug, groaning like he’s had a long day, too.
Barret plucks a few low notes on the baby grand, something soft and familiar, and the sound threads through the room like a lullaby none of us want to name.
“I think I want to record ‘Prometheus,’” I say, not looking at anyone in particular.
Roderick glances over.“You sure?”
“No.”I exhale, brushing my hand down Arlo’s back.“But I think it’ll be good.”
“Prometheus gave fire to humanity and got punished for it,” Barret says, his fingers never leaving the keys.“Maybe it’s time you stopped apologizing for what you gave away.”
I look down at the baby in my arms.He has no idea about any of this.The pain.The years.The price of carrying someone else’s fire.
But he trusts me anyway.
“I think I’m finally ready to stop burning for other people,” I whisper.
Alec crosses the room.He doesn’t say anything, just squeezes my shoulder once.It’s a quiet I’ve got you.Even the grumpy one with anger issues is beginning to calm; though I don’t know if all the demons he has inside can be tamed.
But maybe I’m wrong.This could be what healing looks like.
Just a room full of people who know all the worst parts of you—and choose to stay anyway.
ChapterFifty-Two
EchoZone – Private Message Thread
March 8,2001 10:23 PM
AlyEuphoriaEvents:Thank you for the flowers.
MustLoveMusic:Hey.You got them?
AlyEuphoriaEvents:Yep.They’re beautiful.I didn’t know they made peonies this soft in March.
MustLoveMusic:It’s my way of saying I’m thinking of you.And that I’ll be home soon.
AlyEuphoriaEvents:How soon is soon?
MustLoveMusic:We’re hoping Sunday.Do you have an event that day?
AlyEuphoriaEvents:(groans loud enough to wake the neighborhood)
MustLoveMusic:Talk to me, baby.What’s going on?
AlyEuphoriaEvents:It’s a vow renewal (from hell).The bride is unraveling.Suddenly blue’s not her color—it’s coral.But not just coral.Coral with “sunshine-infused undertones.”She also wants yellow.Everywhere.
MustLoveMusic:You’re kidding.Coral and yellow?Sounds like a tropical fruit bowl.
AlyEuphoriaEvents:I wish I were joking.She wants to swap out everything.Linens, drapes, flowers, and menu cards.Because she “had a dream.”Jules is hiding under her blankets.I’m considering joining her.
MustLoveMusic:Didn’t your client sign off on everything already?
