Page 122 of Thorns and Ashes
“Everyone else?” I echo, confused, but she doesn’t get the chance to answer me as everyone starts to fill the room.
Even Ellie.
“How?” I ask Tom.
“Told them she’s a service dog.” He shrugs.
Ellie jumps onto the bed and collapses her head into my lap, the trembling in her body slowly stilling as I run my hand over her.
“What are you all doing here?” I ask, still not understanding. “Did someone else get hurt? Where’s Billy?” I ask, searching through the group.
“Sorry, right, here.” He pops his head in the doorway before stepping in with everyone else. “But that’s kind of cool, you were worried about me.”
I smirk and raise my brow at him. Levi smiles at me as I take in everyone who fills the room. Rory, Ainsley, Chief, Billy, Mark, Callie, Sunny, Tom, Della, Caiden, Emma, and—
“Blake is parked outside,” Emma says softly, noticing as I search for him. “He’s not ready to come into a hospital yet.”
I nod, completely understanding that.
“We’re all here for you, darlin,” Ainsley explains.
I frown at them, and a ripple of chuckles moves around the room.
“I don’t understand,” I say slowly.
“Tris,” Callie says softly, a small smirk on her face. “This is what it looks like to have real friends, family. The kind that cares and shows up for you.”
“I didn’t think you guys even liked me,” I mumble, one eyebrow lifting in surprise.
Rory and Ainsley laugh, and when I narrow my eyes at them, it only makes them laugh harder.
“Trust me, we didn’t,” Emma chimes in. “But it looks like you finally figured out how torebuild,and in the process, you’ve become a part of this crazy crew.”
“Well, shit.” The words slip out of me in surprised delight. “I mean, thank you, guys. And I’m sorry that Friendsgiving was ruined. I know everyone worked really hard on everything,” I say, then remember. “Except Mark, of course.”
I grin, and everyone laughs.
“Hey!” Mark exclaims, but even he smiles with his shoulders shaking as he laughs.
“So, we sort of have a surprise for you,” Ainsley says, stepping forward, finally coming in for the hug I know she’s wanted since she walked in.
“I’m glad you’re okay,” she whispers into my hair, pulling back with watery eyes.
“Me too.” I squeeze her hand. “Now, what is this surprise?”
“Ican’t believe we still pulled this off,” I say in awe as I look around the room and take in how absolutely beautiful everything turned out.
Friendsgiving didn’t start on time, but better late than never. Ainsley busied herself with the help of everyone here to make surethat the food stayed warm and fresh after finding out I’d only be in the hospital for a few hours. She knew how important this was to me, and looking around, it’s obviously important to everyone here, too. With a sigh of contentment, I lean into Levi beside me.
Since we left the hospital, he hasn’t stopped touching me, like he’s afraid I might disappear if he lets go. I soak it in, holding onto this moment like it might slip through my fingers. My chest still aches with the echo of fear, but I push it back, focusing on what’s right in front of me, on him, on the steady rise and fall of my breath, and on the simple fact that I’m still here.
The room glows softly with the fairy lights Callie insisted on for ambiance, and I have to admit, she was right. The light catches on the greenery and yellow sunflowers draped along the walls, turning everything into something almost unreal, like a picture-perfect Thanksgiving I didn’t think actually existed. Friendsgiving is definitely a tradition I want to keep, especially if it always tastes this good. I’m already planning on living off leftovers for the next week.
As we finish eating, conversation flows easily, warm and unforced, laughter weaving through the room. It’s nothing like the holidays I grew up with, and somehow exactly what I always imagined they should be, full, loud, and wrapped in love.
Billy flirts shamelessly with Ainsley, who pretends not to enjoy it nearly as much as she does. Chief listens to Rory, his attention locked entirely on her. It’s not surprising at all, but probably for the best, since he’s missing the way Blake keeps shooting him daggers. I laugh, and Emma huffs beside him, rolling her eyes as she digs her elbow into Blake’s side.
“Ouch,” he says under his breath.
