Page 78 of Paws & Order

Theodore spends most of the afternoon watching the party with the satisfaction of a man whose matchmaking scheme somehow worked. But that doesn’t keep him from offering Gomez the requisite chin rubs.

Eventually, Cassian leans close and murmurs, "I'm mostly fine with the ghosts now."

"Mostly?"

"Emily's perfume still unnerves me."

I laugh so hard I nearly spill my punch.

Later, when the crowd is distracted by cake and presents, I find Cassian outside near the fence line.

He's staring out at the bay.

The wind moves through the clover around his boots.

For a moment, neither of us speaks.

Then I slip my hand into his.

His fingers tighten automatically.

"Penny for your thoughts?" I ask.

He takes his time answering.

"I spent centuries wondering what I'd do if I ever got to stop running."

I glance at him.

His gaze remains fixed on the water.

"Turns out I'm pretty good at standing still."

Something inside me cracks open.

Because standing still was never my gift.

There was always another problem to solve. Another plan to make.

But standing here beside him, I can't imagine wanting anything else.

The wind shifts, carrying the scent of cinnamon, saltwater, and woodsmoke from the house behind us.

Eventually we head back inside.

The kitchen is noisy with laughter. Children dart through the rooms. Someone has started a game in the living room.

Through the nursery door, I catch a glimpse of yellow walls, a bassinet, and enough magical diapers to survive an apocalypse.

For a moment, I picture the future.

Birthdays. School plays. Summer afternoons by the bay.

A child growing up in a town where monsters host fundraisers, ghosts make coffee, and nobody has to hide who they are.

Later, after the guests leave and the dishes are stacked, I catch Cassian watching me from across the room.

"I love you," he says.