Chapter 30

Seb was finally coming home.

We were all so happy to know he was getting out and well enough to be released from the hospital. He’d suffered a few complications, and the last three months had been immensely stressful for everyone—and especially painful for Seb. He’d lost weight and muscle mass, and he’d been weakened by the sedation, stroke, and subsequent recovery. It was hard to watch my larger-than-life brother struggle so much.

As the bullet had nicked his liver, resulting in severe blood loss, Seb had suffered a stroke during surgery. When the doctor had mentioned that, along with Seb’s heart fucking stopping, I legit thought I was going to be sick. Seeing Seb in the ICU nearly broke me. If it weren’t for Yaya’s constant reassurance and Bodhi’s support, I would have broken down right there and then.

But Seb was alive and on the mend, even if he was still dealing with the paralysis from the stroke. His whole right side had been affected, and while he’d gained most of his speech back—and the use of his right arm—it hadn’t been an easy road. He was understandably irritable and frustrated with the situation, even though he’d come so far already. He was severely weakened and had basically had to learn to walk again. He was still having issues with his right leg and required a cane for the moment, but he could walk. From when the incident had happened to now, he’d improved tenfold. The doctors were optimistic that with his continued outpatient physical therapy his leg would fully recover, but we could all see how much it was weighing on Seb.

Even with all his pain and setbacks, he seemed to be in good spirits, although, still not as jovial or optimistic as he once was.

Derek had been charged and was rotting away in jail somewhere awaiting his trial date. Good riddance is all I could say.

We were all gathering at Mama’s house today to welcome Seb home and have our first family meal together in months.

Mama and Theo had gone to pick Seb up from the rehab hospital while we helped Yaya put the final touches on dinner. The doorbell rang, and Lyric hollered out, “Hello, beautiful people. No need to worry, I’m here, and I brought dessert!”

We all chuckled as Lyric and Kay came into the kitchen. We greeted everyone with hugs and happiness. Everyone was delighted to finally come together as a family again and be able to put these hard few months behind us.

“Perfect timing. Lyric, my dear, you can set the table,” Yaya directed, just as he placed his pie on the counter and tried to snag a feta-stuffed tomato. Everyone knew not to touch Yaya’s food until it was on the table, but Lyric always liked to test the rules. Yaya was quick to smack his hand with a wooden serving spoon.

“Ouch!” He pouted while cradling his hand like he’d been mortally wounded. I couldn’t help but snicker at the familiar Lyric antics from my place behind the counter as I laid out the various homemade dips and flatbread on a platter next to Bodhi. Lyric broke into his mischievous smile and quickly set about grabbing plates.

“Off with you,” Yaya finished as she shooed Lyric out of the kitchen with a dish towel swat to the bottom.

“I’m going, I’m going.” He huffed as he jumped out of Yaya’s reach.

The front door opened, and Seb came shuffling in using a cane, followed closely by Mama and Theo. We all rushed to greet him and congratulate him on being discharged from the hospital. It was so good to have him home.

He was a shadow of his former self, but he was alive and here with us. All we could be was thankful!

“Yeah, yeah, I missed you guys, too. It’s good to be home,” Seb said over the cacophony of noise we’d created around him. “Now, I was promised a feast. Where is the deliciousness I’ve been strung along about for months now?”

“It’s almost ready,” Yaya said, waving around her spoon. “Head to the dining room and we’ll bring it all in. Lyric, finish setting the table. Theo, dear, can you grab drinks?”

As everyone bustled around, setting the table, grabbing drinks, and taking in the trays of tantalizing food, I gazed at my family. Lyric and Kay were whispering to each other as Seb settled at the head of the table, already looking exhausted.

We shared the food around, and once our plates were full, Mama raised her glass. “To Sebastian! To his recovery, his strength, and his health.”

Everyone responded with “Hear! Hear!” as we clinked glasses and dug in.

Not long later, Yaya asked, “So, Seb, how’s physical therapy going? That boy seems too young to have graduated, let alone be a private contractor with the full ability to help you.” She ended with a click of her tongue.

I noticed color rise across Seb’s cheeks as he ducked his head. That was a weird response from him.

“Yaya,” Seb said with exasperation. “He just looks young. I already told you he’s fully qualified, and you’ve seen how much he’s helped me.”

“I think he pushes you too hard,” she rebutted.

“Yaya,” Seb groaned out. It seemed like this might be an ongoing argument between the two of them.

“That’s enough, Ma.” Kat intervened. “Seb’s happy with him, and he’s been helping, so let’s just enjoy our first family feast in months.”

“All right. All right. But I’m keeping an eye on him.” Yaya always had to have the last word.

We all went back to the feast and the conversations turned to happier things. I loved each and every one of my rambunctious family members and was so blessed with how perfectly Bodhi fit in with us. I hadn’t been looking for anyone, but I couldn’t be more grateful he’d stumbled, literally, into my life.

Even with the dangers we’d all faced, I was so lucky to have him. I watched Bodhi as laughter lit up his face. We were a loud bunch and he complimented us perfectly. I wrapped him up in a side hug and leaned in for a soft kiss. I knew I would be holding him close forever. Now that the danger was behind us, I was excited to see what our future held. I couldn’t wait to embrace it all with this amazing man beside me.