Xena''s Pov


    Ryder gave me that I''m still going to fuck you" look before opening the door.


    "You didn''t even tryst night," I reminded him as we walked out, Ryder closing and locking the door behind us.


    "You didn''t look like you wanted to," Ryder ced his hand on my hip as we walked toward the garage together.


    "I could have been persuaded." I gave him a yful smile.


    I''ll keep that in mind," Ryder rolled his eyes.


    "Will your parents being together?" I asked as Ryder opened the Cadic door for me.


    "No. After everything that''s happened, I don''t want them there," Ryder closed the door and walked around to his side. Once he got in, he started the car and pulled out of the garage.


    I nodded. “Where did everyone go this morning?"


    "Probably sleeping in, since they finally have a free morning."


    My legs were trembling, shifting restlessly in the seat. Saying I was ufortable was an understatement. Ryder reached over and pressed his hand firmly against my thigh to still me. Almost instinctively, both my hands grabbed onto his forearm, gripping tightly. Ryder absorbed all my grip and more.


    The roads were unusually empty today, and we quickly arrived at Dad''s pack. "I was hoping I''d never have to see these gates again," I said softly as we approached. The guard saw me, nodded, then opened the gates to let us through. "Xena, I know this will be hard, but remember, this is his choice. He wants this. No matter how much you and Logan hurt, remember that his soul is finding freedom," Ryder said.


    His words hit me like ice water to the face. It was a dose of reality that helped me calm down slightly. I was able to take a deep breath. Logan and Penelope stood on the front porch steps. Logan had his arm around her, and Penelope waved enthusiastically at


    1. us.


    I took onest deep breath, then Ryder opened my door. I''m not even sure when he got out of the car.


    "Xena! It''s so good to see you!" Penelope ran down the steps to hug me. It felt good to see her again.


    "How are you?" I managed a smile in response. She looked good - no sunken eyes or bruises.


    "Actually, I''ve had a really good week."


    I nodded.


    "Hey, sis," Logan approached, and I threw myself into his embrace. It felt good to be back in my twin brother''s arms. Even though I loved Ryder, Logan always had


    afort I couldn''t find anywhere else.


    "Hey." That was all I could manage to say.


    "How''s the shoulder? Logan released me and looked at my shoulder.


    "Feelspletely fine," I lifted my shoulder to show I had full range of motion.


    "Good," Logan stepped back and shook hands with Ryder, then gavem a half hug. Thanks foring, man.


    "Xena!" I heard Dad''s voice from the porch. Looking up, Dad and Martha came out to greet us. Dad walked several steps ahead of Martha. Thankfully, she stopped on the steps while Dad came down to give me a hug.


    Dad! Not as intense, but I still held onto him.


    "You look good, kid. How are you feeling? Dad released me and, like Logan, examined my shoulder.


    "I''m fine. Feeling great." Even if I wasn''t feeling well, I wouldn''t tell him.


    "Good!" Dad nodded, then gripped Ryder''s hand firmly. "Thank you for bringing her."


    "Thank


    Ryder wasn''t sure how to respond, his mouth opening and closing a few times. "It''s my honor, sir," he finally said.


    "Penelope prepared a beautiful pic for us in the garden," Logan said, breaking the awkwardness. I expected Martha to say something, but instead, she just turned and walked ahead of us. She held her head high, walking with an angry stride. Logan and Penelope walked in front of us. I saw Penelope ce her hand on Logan''s back, seeminglyforting him.


    My hand slid to Ryder''s arm, gripping it tightly. Not holding his hand, but clutching his forearm. Thankfully, Ryder didn''t try to move away or even question it. He allowed me to do what I needed to do.


    The walk to the garden was the longest walk of my life. Every day, sometimes more frequently, I would walk to this garden to escape my life. It had never felt this far. Ryder felt protective and tense, but he kept trying to project calm to me. Maybe those were emotions he was trying to take away from me, but I couldn''t tell the difference right now.


    "This looks amazing," I tried to keep my voice steady as we approached the pic


    area.


    Penelope had set up arge round table with an umbre in the garden. The tablecloth hugged the edges, and different fruits, sds, small burgers, and bread covered the table.


    "Thank you. I started cooking and wanted to try some new recipes. I hope you like them. You''ll have to tell me what you think," Penelope smiled warmly at me.


    I watched as Ryder and Logan positioned Penelope and me between them, while Dad and Martha sat on their other side. Logan sat directly next to Martha, but there was still enough space for one person between them. Dad didn''t sit very close to her either.


    "Where did you find these recipes?" Martha asked, wrinkling her nose. She leaned down to smell the small burgers. I also looked closely at the small burgers


    - there was something very familiar about them, but I couldn''t ce it.


    Penelope looked a bit ufortable. "It''s from a new recipe book I got."


    My back straightened as I stared at those small burgers. Were these my mother''s small burgers? A recipe book she found at Mom''s


    house?