“Oh, honey, a little snow isn’t going to hurt you. Your hair is already an injustice to haircuts everywhere,” Renaldo says, tsking him under his breath.
Aiden rolls his eyes and walks past me into the dining room. Renaldo dips his chin, making a grumpy face before following after Aiden.
Colton laughs, shaking his head. “They’re always like that.”
“And at least you fine folks get to enjoy it for a while so I can get some peace,” Diana says, making a big, Cheshire grin.
Blake nods my direction. “Good to see you again, Autumn.”
I wave, still unsure how this new reality fits together. My memories are getting all muddled together and I get the distinct sense it won’t get better anytime soon. Maybe after some rest…
Colton and I walk into the dining room, taking our places. I sit down toward the head of the table, beside Cat. Colton and Aiden sit on the other side of her, with Dominic, Diana, Blake, and Renaldo filing around the end of the table and up the other side.
“It’s a darn good thing you have such a big table,” Renaldo says, taking a seat at the end.
I nod in his direction. It’s the first time I’ve seen so many people seated at it. In fact, it’s the first time I’ve seen more than two of us sitting here.
Mom and Dad walk out, carrying the turkey and green bean casserole dishes. They place both in the middle of the table and take a seat opposite me.
I eye the head of the table, surprised they’re planning to keep it open. However, James walks out, smiling and waving at everyone as if he’s well acquainted.
“Ah, this looks delicious, Andrea,” he says, patting my mom on the shoulder as he walks up. Without another word, he slides back the final chair, sitting down at the head of the table.
Confused, I narrow my gaze and flit it to my dad. He reaches out, grabbing hold of my mom’s hand and giving it a squeeze. “She outdid herself this time.”
“Hopefully it’s as good as it looks,” Mom says, a hint of rosiness creeping into her cheeks.
“I have no doubt it will be incredible. I only wish your mother were still here with us, Lyle. Christmas was always her favorite,” he says, his brown eyes sparkling as he turns to my dad.
“I do, too, Dad,” my father says, sighing. “But I think she’s smiling down on us.”
Despite myself, I double take. “Dad?”
Everyone turns to look at me with bewildered expressions.
“What’s going on with you tonight, Autumn? Seriously, are you feeling okay?” Mom says, leaning across the table and placing a hand over my forehead.
James chuckles. “I know you’re a big supernatural college student now, but you haven’t forgotten your grandpa already, have you?”
“I, uh—” I blink hard and shake my head. “No, of course not.”
As my memories try to catch up, I’m suddenly acutely aware of aspects of my life that were still hidden in plain sight before.
James is my…grandpa?
Mom drops back into her seat and raises her hands to the ceiling. “Okay, everybody. Dish up.”
Everyone does as they’re told, grabbing platefuls of food and settling back into their seats. The conversation picks up as little groups form and smaller discussions break out. The atmosphere is so lighthearted and fun, yet I still can’t seem to shake this feeling like I’m forgetting something important.
I suppose it’s all important. My brain is literally rewriting history inside of itself.
“So, Autumn, are you excited about the new semester?” Cat asks, nudging me. Then she leans in close and whispers, “I heard there’s a few new students coming in. Maybe you’ll finally find someone worthy of stealing your attention.”
Suddenly my heart skips a beat and it all comes rushing back to me. A deep sorrow bubbles up and my hand instinctively drops to my abdomen.
I’m no longer pregnant, and the one person I wanted most is missing.
What’s happened to Wade?
Chapter 27
Done with Fate
As much as I try to settle into this new reality, Christmas has lost the majority of its meaning, knowing Wade is missing from my life.
For whatever reason, the memories of him refuse to fade. In all honesty, I don’t know which would be worse, continuing to live without him… Or having forgotten him the way everyone else has.
Both are torture in their own right. But this way, at least I can find out if he’s alive, even if he has no idea who I am.
The drive to Mistwood Point is slow and tedious, thanks to the freshly fallen snow. On the upside, it lends a mystical quality to the landscape that lifts my spirits slightly. I find myself hoping the magic in the air is a good omen.
As I get closer, my pulse begins to race. I try to think of all the things I can say to him if I see him. Or what I would ask his grandfather if he’s still alive. One way or another, I will find a way to track him down.
Despite all the relief and happiness about the way things have turned out, I can’t fathom not having Wade in my life. And I refuse a possible future where I don’t at least try to find him.
I turn off the highway, taking the final exit that brings me to Mistwood Point. As far as I can tell, the town looks the way it did before, with some minor changes. Granted, many of my memories have faded into a dreamlike state; there are still some aspects where I can barely tell there are differences.
When I turn on the road that Wade’s grandfather lived on, I have to remind myself not to grip the steering wheel so tightly. My breath becomes nothing more than shallow gulps as I pull into the driveway.
From the outside, it’s hard to say if anyone is home, but one good sign is how the driveway and sidewalk have been shoveled off.
