Page 98 of Beyond Redemption

Stella squealed. “Fishies!”

“Yes! Fishies!” Olive said with an animated smile.

“Bodhi should be here by now, shouldn’t he?” I asked.

Olive hesitated, just for a second. “He had therapy this morning,” she said. “He’s coming straight here after.”

Thomas nodded once, turning back to the stove as he poured the eggs into the pan. “Good.”

Olive nodded to his short response. Thomas was a man of few words, and that single answer carried more weight coming from him than from anyone else.

There had been more than a few long, serious conversations about Olive staying with us after leaving the compound, and not all of them civil. We advocated for her wishes, negotiated what made sense, what didn’t, what was safe, what was necessary. Trenton protested first, but Falyn protested the hardest. Not because they didn’t trust us, but because they’d just gotten her back.

We told Shane and Liza their daughter was alive as soon as we could reach them after leaving the compound, then took Olive straight to Eakins to see them. Liza clung to her immediately, sobbing and barely able to stand, while Shane had to use the wall to hold himself upright. After their emotional reunion with their daughter, we weathered their anger just as we had with our own family. They pushed hard to keep her there, nearly demanded it,until Olive stood her ground about returning to Virginia. I didn’t fault any of them. The thought of her leaving was painful enough for me—someone who loathed feelings in general—I couldn’t imagine what it was like for them.

In the end, Trenton, Falyn, Shane, and Liza had all agreed. Reluctantly, but fully. There were plans for visits, for long weekends, for time that would make the distance feel smaller than it was. Bodhi had been part of those conversations, even when he wasn’t in the room… especially then.

But she’d chosen to stay, and once she made her decision, I promised myself to enjoy every moment for as long as I could.

“How’s it been?” I asked. “Being back on campus. Have you spoken about it to Dr. McLeod?”

“It’s only her second favorite topic. The compound still wins. I know she’s like, a respected trauma specialist, but it feels more like I’m sharing tea instead of getting therapy. We’re just… rehashing everything over and over.”

“We can find you another psychologist,” Thomas said quickly.

“No,” I interjected, trying to soften it with an awkward laugh. “We can’t. Dr. McLeod is mapping triggers; we have to let her do her job.” I turned to Olive. “It’ll get easier. This is the most intensive part. It’ll taper—once a week, then every other, then monthly—until she knows you can regulate on your own.”

Olive nodded. “Besides, it was part of the deal, right? To stay?”

I shot her a wry smile. “As if you had to twist our arms. We just laid out expectations. We have to set a good example for the rest of the family. Thomas and I see the Bureau’s psychologist. It’s necessary to process what’s happened if we hope to move forward.”

After a distinct knock that always meant Bodhi, he let himself in and walked down the hall and into the kitchen, adjusting the black sling holding his arm in place. The material was firm,medical grade, with broad straps and a stabilizing band that kept his elbow anchored and his wrist elevated.

“Morning, trauma squad. Everyone hydrated and emotionally unstable?” he asked with a wide grin.

Olive erupted in laughter, his presence already putting her at ease.

Bodhi sat in the empty chair next to her, kissing her cheek. “You ready for omelets and chill?”

Thomas stiffened, his brows furrowing. “That’ll be enough of that.”

“Just teasin’,” Bodhi said, standing to cross the kitchen, leaning against the counter next to Thomas.

Olive was on her feet before I registered the movement. “Crud! I left my lab folder on my desk!”

“Language, potty mouth!” Bodhi teased. “And in front of the baby!”

“Shush it,” Olive said, rushing to the stairs.

Bodhi watched her leave, then leaned closer to Thomas, speaking low.

“I got a job at the liquor store near George Mason. I’m saving.”

“For a new arm?” Thomas asked.

“For a ring.”

Thomas froze.