33. Ecco - A Few Months Later

The sun's warm rays play across my skin as Graeme and I stand hand in hand, gazing at our new home.

The quaint, picturesque cottage before us looks like something out of a storybook: a charming stone facade covered in lush green vines, a bright red door beckoning us inside, and a thatched roof that adds to its whimsical aura.

Best of all, my dad's house is just a few blocks away, easy distance for as many visits and home recording sessions as I could desire.

"Elderberry Falls, you've outdone yourself," I sigh, and Graeme laughs.

The sound of footsteps pulls my attention away, and I turn to see Mariah waddling down the cobblestone street towards us, a heavy box of my belongings balanced precariously in her arms. Her round, full belly strains against her flowy maternity dress. She looks like she's glowing from within, her skin practically luminous with the joy of impending motherhood.

"Mariah, what are you doing?" I call out, my brow creasing with concern as I rush to my best friend's side. "You shouldn't be carrying?—"

Just then, Natalie emerges from our cottage in a confident stride, her stiletto heels clicking crisply against the stones of the front walk. In a few quick steps, she's snatched the heavy box out of Mariah's hands without missing a beat.

"Honestly Mariah, you really ought to know better in your condition," Natalie scolds, her voice stern yet caring as she expertly balances the box on her hip. Even in this quaint domestic setting, she exudes the poised authority of the consummate professional she is, her blonde bob perfectly coiffed and her outfit crisp and stylish.

I can't help but smile, my heart full to bursting with gratitude for all the incredible people in my life. As I glance between Graeme's adoring gaze, Mariah's joyful glow, and Natalie's steadfast loyalty, one thought rings out clearly in my mind: I'm home.

Mariah rolls her eyes good-naturedly as Natalie huffs back into the house, her lips twitching with a suppressed smile.

"Wow, is she always this bossy and uptight?" Mariah asks, her voice low and conspiratorial as she leans in close to me.

I can't help but laugh, nodding my head in agreement. "Yep, that's what makes her so good at her job."

Mariah's eyes sparkle as she drops her voice to a whisper. "Sounds to me like she could use a good monstering," she murmurs suggestively, raising one eyebrow.

We both burst into peals of laughter, the sound ringing out joyfully in the warm summer air. Our giggles subside and I find my thoughts drifting to Natalie and how far she's come.

Initially resistant to the idea of me moving to Elderberry Falls, Natalie eventually came around, seeing it as an opportunity to spin a fresh narrative for her star client—a classic homecoming story, with a handsome gargoyle boyfriend to boot.

Even if the magical world around me still leaves her a bit perplexed at times, her unwavering support means the world to me.

Natalie, Mariah, and I head inside the cottage, where a scene of organized chaos greets us. Thorak and Finn work alongside Graeme and my dad, unpacking boxes and arranging furniture with a practiced ease, Thorak barely straining as he lifts our couch as we try it in a few different spots.

The doorbell chimes, and I hurry to answer it, finding Rian and Jessa on the porch with a big box of pastries from The Hungry Minotaur. The warm aroma of cinnamon and pumpkin spice wafts invitingly from the container.

"Rian, Jessa! You shouldn't have," I gush, but eagerly take the box from their hands, opening the lid to take a peek at the contents.

As I step back to let them inside, I notice Rian's gaze drifting past me, lingering on Natalie as she efficiently directs the men.

My eyebrows raise in surprise. Well, well, well ... I tuck away this interesting development for later.

Rian turns his attention back to Graeme, a friendly smile on his face. "So, how's the new gig with the fire department going?" he asks, his voice filled with genuine interest.

Graeme looks up from the box he's unpacking, his expression satisfied. "It's good," he says, his deep voice rumbling through the room. "I'm still in training, but it's nice to use my skills to fight something that poses, you know, an actual threat."

I sidle up to him. "And I've always loved a man in uniform," I say, my voice flirty.

Graeme's eyes darken, his arm wrapping around my waist and pulling me close. The solidity of his body against mine sparks a bloom of warmth in my chest. I lean into his embrace, savoring the contact. His wings are unfurled behind him; as he's gotten more comfortable living here, he's stopped hiding them.

Just then, Natalie emerges from the kitchen, her mouth puckered in irritation as she waves a crumpled piece of paper in the air. Her usually impeccable appearance is slightly disheveled, her short blonde bob mussed and her bright red lipstick smudged at the corner.

"God, what is it with this town and paper airplanes?" she grumbles, her voice filled with exasperation.

I look up at her in confusion. "Paper airplanes? What are you talking about?"

Natalie waves the crumpled paper in my face, her eyes flashing with annoyance.

"All day, I've been getting hit in the head with these idiotic paper airplanes that just keep appearing out of nowhere," she explains. "Is this some kind of magical prank? Some quirky tradition that I'm supposed to find endearing? And why is it only happening to me?!"

Finn sets down a box, his eyes widening with interest. "Did you say paper airplane?" he asks, his voice filled with a sudden intensity. "Let me see that."

He strides over to Natalie and reaches for the crumpled paper, his long fingers smoothing it out carefully to reveal the words written inside. The room falls silent, everyone's attention suddenly laser-focused on the mysterious message.

"Just like I thought. It's a letter from an estate executor," Finn explains, his voice taking on a lawyerly tone. "Summoning the inheritor of Myrtle's property."

My eyes widen with understanding. Myrtle, Velda's wife, the lovable and eccentric herb witch who passed away a few months ago. But why…

Finn continues, his words measured and precise. "This type of magic exists to track down relatives of the deceased, but it only works within the bounds of the magical realms."

Natalie stares at him, her perfectly shaped brows knitting together skeptically. "Relatives of the deceased? I don't understand."

Finn grins at her. "Congratulations, Natalie," he says wryly. "You're inheriting property in Elderberry Falls."

I can't help but laugh. Just when I thought everything was going to settle into a new normal, Elderberry Falls throws us another curveball.

I meet Graeme's gaze and smile, ready for the next adventure.