I sighed. "I know. Where is she anyway?" My mom was usually an early riser.
"She left early with her friend Marla. I insisted she get out of this house and go to an antique fair that's a couple hours away, and Marla helped me convince her. I think it will be good for her. She's holed herself up in this house, too."
"Thanks for suggesting that to her, Molly." God, what would I do without Molly?
She smiled warmly at me and winked. "I do what I can. I figured having Calder alone in a quiet house wouldn't go unappreciated." She grinned and stood up. That was for sure. I looked up at her gratefully. "I've gotta get to class. Xander, nice seeing you."
Xander and I called our goodbyes to her as she left the room. Xander looked back at me. "How are you doing?"
I let out a big breath. "I want to tell you I'm great, because how could I not be great with you two back in my life." I paused. "On one hand I feel like I'm living a miracle, and on the other hand, I feel frustrated I'm not able to enjoy the gift I've been given. And I see Calder feeling those same things." I furrowed my brow. "Does that make sense at all?"
"Completely."
I nodded. "And then there's my mom. I love her and I want so badly to have a good relationship with her, and I keep reminding myself that she is not Hector." I grimaced. Comparing anyone to Hector, even saying his name, made my body tense. Xander looked at me, understanding on his face. "She loves me, I know that. But the way she treats Calder makes me want to scream. It's like he's back in the dogs' quarters at the main lodge." I paused, biting my lip, feeling heartbreak at the memory alone. "But I don't know if it would help or make matters worse if I gave her some kind of ultimatum. Shape up or we're moving in with Xander." I laughed softly.
Xander laughed. "Whoa. No Beds of Healing at my apartment. No peaches either." He raised his hands and grinned.
I laughed and it felt good. "You should rethink that."
He laughed. "Also, no pool and no police protection."
"Ugh. I'd forgo amenities for some freedom." But in truth, I knew safety wouldn't be guaranteed, and it would probably end up causing Calder even more anxiety. Worry moved through me. I wrapped my hands around the warm coffee mug in front of me.
“How's your girlfriend?" I raised my brows hopefully, changing the subject.
Xander looked slightly embarrassed and ran his hand through his hair. "She's good," he said, smiling at me.
I grinned back. "Yeah?" I prompted.
He chuckled. "Yeah. Her name's Nikki by the way."
"Nikki," I repeated, wondering at the girl that had stolen Xander's heart—such a beautiful heart. She was a lucky, lucky girl. I tilted my head. "When do we get to meet her?"
"Soon. I just want to introduce her to you two once some of this craziness blows over, you know?"
Yeah, I knew, and I didn't blame him.
Xander studied me for a minute. "I'm so damn happy to have you back, Eden." He looked slightly uncomfortable, but went on. "It's been hard, you know? I'd do anything for Calder, and I know he'd do anything for me, but . . . all this time, I didn't want to burden him with so many things." He rubbed the back of his neck. "I was more capable of moving forward in the last few years than he was. But now . . . we've got our team back and things just feel . . . right. Like we're all going to be stronger because of it."
Tears sprung to my eyes. I grasped his hand across the table. I felt stronger, too. I had the two people back who I could be completely myself with. I had a home now because of my mom, but my true home—my heart—that had always belonged to Calder, obviously, but certainly Xander as well.
He smiled. "As far as the hard stuff . . . we've been through worse than this, right?"
I gave him a small laugh. "I guess that'd be the understatement of the decade."
He laughed, too, and we looked up as Calder came into the room, looking tired, but as beautiful as ever.
"Hey, brother," Xander said gently.
"Morning," Calder croaked, sitting down at the table with us. He looked over at me, the expression on his face full of regret. "Sorry," he said quietly.
I figured he was apologizing for not coming to my room, but I didn't say anything, just nodded. I stood up and poured him a cup of coffee and set it in front of him. I kissed his cheek, and sat back down.
"I actually have to be going," Xander said, glancing at the clock on my mom's wall and standing up. "I just wanted to check in on you and Eden real quick," he said, looking over at Calder.
"I appreciate that. I'll text you later?"