Page 34 of Returning to Pine Ridge
“Are you our new uncle like Uncle Atlas?” Emma asks, climbing into the chair next to Kai.
Kai’s face goes slightly red, and I can see him searching for the right answer. He glances at me, and I’m clearly not much help because I’m trying not to laugh.
Sofia saves him by calling out, “Emma, Lucas, why don’t you two go ask Grandma if there’s cake? I think I saw her bring out your favorite.”
They scramble off immediately, and Kai mouths a thank-you to Sofia. She winks at him.
“Don’t worry,” Sofia says, leaning over toward Kai. “They can be a lot, but at least you know they like you already.”
I reach under the table and squeeze Kai’s hand. He squeezes back, and I can feel him relax slightly.
Dinner is loud and full of laughter. We talk about the meeting, about HelixGen and what comes next. Dad talks about how proud he is of Kai and me for standing up for what’s right. Mom keeps refilling plates and making sure everyone has enough to eat.
At one point, I lean over and whisper to Kai, “Thank you for being here. For being part of this.”
“I wouldn’t be anywhere else,” he replies, and the way he says it makes my chest bloom with happiness.
When dessert comes—a beautiful chocolate cake that my mom made—I know this is exactly where I should be. Surrounded by my family. Emma and Lucas have somehow ended up on either side of Kai again, completely comfortable, asking him questions about the Airstream and whether he can teach them how to record stories.
“Maybe when you have a story to tell,” Kai tells them, and they seem satisfied with that answer.
As I watch him interact with my niblings, I realize this is what I want. This right here. My family, Kai, all of us together. This sense of belonging.
After dinner, we move to the living room. Kai sits beside me on the couch, and I notice the way my family watches us—not with judgment, but with acceptance. With happiness, knowing what I have with Kai is real.
Vaughn, Carol, and Mrs. Field eventually head home, and my family changes the subject to talk about my plans to work remotely and eventually help with community tech projects.
“You know,” Mom says at one point, looking between Kai and me, “I always knew you two would be good together. I could see it at that first community center meeting.”
“Mom,” I say, embarrassed, but I’m smiling.
“What? I’m allowed to have good instincts,” she says, winking at Kai.
By the time the evening has fully wound down, it’s nearly midnight.
Kai catches my eye and gives me a subtle look that says he’s thinking about leaving.
“Thank you so much for dinner,” he says to my parents. “This was really wonderful.”
“You’re welcome here anytime,” Mom says warmly, pulling him into a hug. “I mean that.”
Dad shakes his hand. “Take care of my son,” he says with a knowing smile.
“I plan to,” Kai replies.
We head toward the door, and Kai leans against the frame, waiting for me.
“Do you want to come home with me?” he whispers, his voice soft enough that only I can hear.
“Yeah,” I say. “Let me grab some spare clothes first.”
I run upstairs to my room and throw together a change of clothes—underwear, jeans, a couple of shirts. I grab my toothbrush and some other essentials. When I come back downstairs, Kai is talking with my parents by the door, and they’re smiling like they know exactly what’s happening.
“Ready?” Kai asks when he sees me.
“Ready,” I confirm.
Mom pulls me into a hug. “Be happy,” she whispers.
