Chapter 8

The warm glow of laughter and friendship filled Molly's cozy living room as Ellie, Celeste, and Daisy gathered around the coffee table, an array of Chinese takeout boxes and colorful cocktails spread before them. The air was fragrant with the aroma of sweet and sour chicken, steamed dumplings, and the tangy scent of Molly's signature Giggle Juice.

"I'm telling you," Celeste said, waving a dumpling in the air for emphasis, "Kade's been hinting about baby names. Just the other day, he brought up the name ‘Luna' if it's a girl. I think he's got baby fever."

Molly giggled, her cheeks rosy from the Giggle Juice. "Well, you two would make the most adorable little wolf pups! Can you imagine the tiny little ears and tails?"

Daisy snorted into her cocktail, bubbles fizzing up her nose. "Oh my gosh, Molly! You can't just say things like that!"

Ellie grinned, nudging Celeste with her elbow. "So, when can we expect the pitter-patter of little paws?"

Celeste's grin turned sly. "Well, let's just say we're definitely trying. Extensively. Frequently."

The room erupted into peals of laughter, Molly nearly toppling off the couch in her mirth.

"But enough about my baby-making exploits," Celeste said, turning her gaze on Ellie. "I want to hear about you and Reed. Elsie told me you two have been spending a lot of time together."

Ellie ducked her head, a blush staining her cheeks. "We're just... taking things slow. Rediscovering each other."

Daisy leaned forward, her pink hair falling into her eyes. "Slow, my spectral behind. I saw the way he looked at you the other day, Ellie. That man is smitten."

Molly nodded. "It's true. I had a vision of you two in my last batch of cookies. A vision of love, passion, and..." She trailed off, her eyes going wide.

"And what?" Ellie prompted, her heart fluttering in her chest.

Molly blinked, a mischievous grin spreading across her face. "Let's just say it involved a lot less clothing than I typically see in my cookie visions."

Ellie buried her face in her hands as the others cackled with glee.

"In all seriousness, though," Celeste said, her voice softening, "I'm so happy for you two. After everything you've been through, you both deserve a second chance at happiness."

Ellie smiled. "Thanks, Celeste. It feels... right. Like coming home."

"Speaking of cookies," Daisy piped up, "Molly, didn't you say you had a new batch for us to try?"

Molly leaped up, her eyes sparkling. "I almost forgot. Let me go grab them."

She dashed into the kitchen, returning a moment later with a plate piled high with golden, glistening cookies. "I call these my ‘Futures Forecast' cookies. They're supposed to give you a glimpse of your future."

Daisy eyed the cookies warily. "Molly, the last time I ate one of your vision cookies, I spent the afternoon convinced I was going to marry a talking tree."

Molly waved a hand dismissively. "That was just a fluke! I've refined the recipe since then."

Celeste, ever the brave one, reached out and plucked a cookie from the plate. She took a big bite, chewing thoughtfully.

"Well?" Daisy leaned in, her eyes wide. "What do you see?"

Celeste's brow furrowed. "I see... I see..." Suddenly, her eyes went wide, and she let out a yelp. "I see myself chasing a dozen little wolf pups around the café! They're running amok, knocking over tables and chairs!"

Molly clapped her hands in delight. "A dozen? My, my, you and Kade are going to be busy."

Ellie and Daisy exchanged a glance, then burst out laughing. The image of Celeste, usually so poised and put-together, chasing a pack of unruly wolf pups was too much.

As the laughter died down, Ellie reached for a cookie herself. "All right, my turn. Let's see what the future holds."

She took a bite, letting the buttery flavor melt on her tongue. For a moment, nothing happened. Then, a flicker, a flash of an image.

She saw herself and Reed, hands clasped, faces glowing with love. They were standing in front of a small cottage, a sold sign planted in the lush front garden.

Ellie blinked, the vision fading. A slow, wonderstruck smile spread across her face.

"Well?" Celeste prompted, leaning forward. "What did you see?"

Ellie looked around at her friends, at these women who had become her family. Her heart felt full to bursting, brimming with love and hope and the promise of a future she'd once thought lost.

"I saw... happiness," she said softly. "Pure, unfiltered happiness."

Molly reached for the plate of cookies. "I think it's Daisy's turn for a glimpse into the future."

Daisy, her cheeks already flushed from the cocktails, grabbed a cookie with gusto. She took a giant bite, chewing with exaggerated relish.

For a moment, nothing happened. Then, Daisy's eyes went wide, her jaw dropping open. "Oh. My. Ghosts."

Ellie leaned forward, excitement thrumming through her veins. "What? What do you see?"

Daisy blinked rapidly as if trying to clear her vision. "I see myself... I'm in the Phantasm Pharmacy... but it's different. It's bigger, brighter... and there's a line out the door!"

Molly clapped her hands, bouncing in her seat. "Ooh, business is booming!"

"Wait, there's more." Daisy held up a hand, her brow furrowed in concentration. "I'm behind the counter, and I'm... I'm wearing a crown? No, wait, it's a tiara... made of ectoplasm?"

Celeste snorted, nearly spitting out her cocktail. "A tiara? What, are you the Ghost Queen now?"

Daisy's eyes suddenly flew open, a look of horror dawning on her face. "Oh no. Oh no, no, no. The ghosts... they're calling me... they're calling me the ‘Ectoplasmic Empress'!"

The room exploded with laughter, Ellie and Celeste collapsing against each other in a fit of giggles. Molly, tears streaming down her face, reached over and patted Daisy's knee. "All hail the Ectoplasmic Empress!"

Daisy, her face now as pink as her hair, buried her head in a pillow. "I take it back! I don't want to know my future anymore."

The sun was just beginningto set, painting the sky in soft hues of pink and orange, as Ellie stepped onto the porch of Reed's cabin. She smoothed her sundress, a fluttery nervousness in her stomach. It had been so long since they'd had a proper date, just the two of them. So long since she'd been out with someone she cared about.

The door swung open, revealing Reed, his usually stern features softened by a smile. "Ellie, you look... stunning."

Ellie felt a blush spread on her cheeks. "Thank you. You clean up pretty well yourself, Sheriff."

Reed chuckled, stepping aside to let her in. As Ellie crossed the threshold, she gasped, her hand flying to her heart.

The cabin was transformed. Soft, twinkling lights were strung across the rafters, casting a cozy glow over the room. The table was set for two, a vase of sunflowers - her favorite - serving as a centerpiece. The air was fragrant with the aroma of her favorite dish, lasagna. It smelled just like the one her grandmother used to make.

"Reed," she breathed, turning to him with wide, wonder-filled eyes. "You did all this? For me?"

Reed ducked his head, a rare display of shyness. "I wanted tonight to be special. To show you how much you mean to me."

He led her to the table, pulling out her chair. As Ellie sat, she noticed the place settings - the plates were the same pattern as the ones she'd always admired in the antique shop window. The napkins were folded into perfect origami lotuses, just like the ones she used to make as a teen.

"Reed, these details... how did you remember all of this?"

Reed sat across from her, reaching over to take her hand. His thumb brushed over her knuckles, sending a shiver down her spine.

"Ellie, I remember everything about you. The way your eyes light up when you see sunflowers. The way you always linger in front of that antique shop, admiring the plates. The way you fold napkins into lotuses when you're nervous."

He smiled, his amber eyes soft and warm. "I remember everything that has to do with you. You mean a lot to me."

Tears gathered in the corners of her eyes. She squeezed his hand, pouring all her emotion into the simple touch.

She gulped back at the knot in her throat. "You mean a lot to me too."

The dinner was perfect, the conversation flowing as easily as the wine. They laughed over shared memories, marveled at the twists and turns that had brought them back together.

As the last of the sunlight faded, Reed stood, extending his hand to Ellie. "Dance with me?"

Ellie raised an eyebrow, a playful smile tugging at her lips. "There's no music."

Reed grinned, a twinkle in his eye. Seconds later soft strains of melody filled the air. Ellie gasped, recognizing the tune - it was the song they'd danced to at prom all those years ago.

"You're just full of surprises tonight, aren't you?" she murmured, stepping into his arms.

They swayed together, bodies fitting as perfectly as they always had. Ellie rested her head on Reed's chest, listening to the steady thrum of his heartbeat.

"I could stay like this forever," she whispered, her eyes fluttering closed.

Reed pressed a kiss to the top of her head, his arms tightening around her. "Stay with me."

Ellie knew the words were hard for Reed. He wasn't a man who got deep into his feelings. Even as a teen, he'd had trouble expressing his love for her, but she felt it.