CHAPTER 59: GLUE HOLDING THE CIRCUS

Rhea’s gaze lingered on each of them, drinking in every familiar detail, the glint in her father’s eyes, the way her mother’s laughter made her eyes sparkle, Jake’s crooked grin that always came before mischief, Eddie’s smug smirk that screamed confidence, and Ricky’s mischievous grin that promised trouble before it even started. Her chest tightened. Her heart ached with warmth and disbelief. She wanted this to last, to stay wrapped in this moment forever, but a part of her feared it could vanish at any second.

"Before I forget," her mother said suddenly, her voice lilting with excitement. "I brought something back for you."

Rhea’s head snapped up, curiosity flickering in her eyes. "For me?" she asked softly, blinking in surprise.

Her mother smiled and rose from the couch, moving to the pile of luggage stacked neatly in the corner. She rolled one closer and settled down between Rhea and her husband, her eyes sparkling. "Guess what it is," she teased.

Rhea leaned forward slightly. "What?"

Ricky groaned dramatically from across the couch. "Hold on, did you even get anything for me?"

Their father chuckled. "You’re a big boy now, Ricky. You can buy your own souvenirs."

"Big boy?" Ricky gasped. "I’m the baby of the house, not her!" He pointed accusingly at Rhea, who couldn’t help the small smile that curved her lips.

Jake snorted. "You’re no baby, man. The only thing small about you is your patience."

That sent everyone laughing again. Even Rhea, who had been holding back, let out a genuine laugh this time. It felt good, too good. This was the home she never realized she had missed so much. Ricky, as always, started pouting, crossing his arms as he muttered, "It’s so unfair. Everyone treats her like royalty, and I’m just here, last place as usual." That only made the laughter grow louder.

"Quit whining," their father said between chuckles. "You’re talking as if you’re not the first to run to her every whim. Besides, we got something for everyone, but let’s attend to the princess first."

Rhea smiled, warmth spreading through her chest. "I really missed this," she whispered.

"What did you say, honey?" her mother asked, glancing at her with a gentle smile.

"Nothing," Rhea said with a small shake of her head.

"I want to be a princess too!" Ricky said, puffing his cheeks.

"Shut up already," Eddie said, smacking him lightly on the head. "You’re not even royal material."

"Ow! That actually hurt!" Ricky whined, rubbing the spot.

Jake leaned forward, smirking. "You’re lucky I didn’t do it. Then you’d know what hurt really feels like."

"You’re just evil," Ricky shot back, scowling.

Their parents laughed softly, exchanging a fond look at the chaos unfolding before them.

"Don’t mind them, Clara," their father said with a chuckle, turning to his wife. "Show our daughter what you brought before these boys start a real war."

Clara smiled, brushing a loose strand of hair from her face. "Right, right, I almost forgot," she said as she unzipped the luggage, her tone full of excitement and love.

The zipper came undone with a soft hiss, and Rhea leaned closer, eyes wide with curiosity. Inside the suitcase were stacks upon stacks of books, beautiful, glossy covers glinting under the warm living room lights.

Fictional novels, every single one of them. Werewolves, vampires, witches, fae, elves, her favorite worlds all piled together like treasure. Some titles she recognized instantly, others she’d only heard rumors about online.

"I got all the latest ones from your favorite authors," Clara said, her face lighting up as she turned toward Rhea. "You’ll have reading material for the next few months at least."

"Oh my gosh!" Rhea gasped, grabbing one of the books and flipping it over with wide eyes. "You actually found this one! And this one too, no way! This one isn’t even supposed to be out yet!"

She was already halfway through the pile, her fingers brushing reverently over the covers as she squealed softly with every new discovery. Her family watched, amused and a little overwhelmed.

Her father chuckled, leaning back in his seat. "You’d think we just handed her the moon."

Eddie smirked. "Pretty sure she’d still prefer these over jewelry."

Jake laughed, resting his chin on his hand. "At least she’s consistent. Fiction over fashion, always."

Clara smiled fondly, watching her daughter glow with excitement. "I knew she’d love them," she said softly to her husband.

Ricky crossed his arms, pouting dramatically. "She hasn’t even finished a quarter of the books in her library, and you’re giving her more?"

Rhea didn’t even look up, her attention glued to the next shimmering cover. "Correction," she said with mock seriousness, "a true reader doesn’t wait to finish one adventure before collecting the next."

The room filled with laughter for the umpteenth time.

Clara shaked her head with affectionate disbelief. "You and your books," she said. "I swear, if imagination were currency, you’d be the richest girl alive."

Rhea grinned, her fingers brushing over another glossy spine. "Then I’d buy an entire library and live there forever."

Jake leaned forward, propping his elbow on his knee. "You basically already do. Half the time, you disappear into your room, and we don’t see you for days."

"That’s because you three never stop arguing," Rhea shot back playfully, setting one book aside to reach for another. "You should try reading. Might improve your personalities."

"Ouch," Eddie said, clutching his chest dramatically. "Straight to the ego."

Their father laughed, the warm sound filling the room. "She’s got your wit, Jake."

Jake smirked proudly. "Nah, she’s sharper. I’d never insult this eloquently."

Ricky rolled his eyes and leaned back, muttering, "All of you are delusional."

Rhea ignored him, lost in her excitement as she stacked the books neatly beside her. Titles about vampire kings, cursed wolves, and enchanted forests covered her lap, and her heart swelled with something she hadn’t felt in what seemed like forever...peace.

Clara reached over and brushed her daughter’s cheek with her thumb. "You’ve always loved your stories," she said gently. "I used to find you under the covers with a flashlight, reading long after bedtime."

Rhea blinked, her throat tightening. "You remember that?"

Her mother smiled. "Of course I do. You’d jump every time I opened your door, pretending to be asleep."

Eddie chuckled. "I remember, too. She used to mumble about werewolves in her sleep."

"I did not," Rhea protested weakly, her cheeks heating.

Jake grinned. "Oh, you did. You even growled once."

"Okay, that’s enough," Rhea laughed, tossing a cushion at him. It hit his shoulder, and the boys burst into laughter.

Their father leaned back, his eyes crinkling with amusement as he watched them. "It’s good to have the noise back," he murmured.

"Tell me about it," Clara said, shaking her head fondly. "I can’t believe we left all this for a trip."

"Right?" her husband replied with a small laugh.

Eddie leaned back and crossed his legs with mock seriousness. "It’s not like you went on vacation. It was a medical outreach, Dad. You treated children and survivors from that border conflict. Your trip is not exactly beaches and cocktails."

Jake grinned. "Yeah, yeah. What you did was noble. But now that you’re home, get ready for a full overdose of our chaos."

Their parents laughed softly, trading an affectionate glance.

Rhea wasn’t really listening. She was still clutching one of the books, carefully stacking the rest back into the luggage with neat precision. "I’ll go put these in my library," she said quietly, standing and reaching for the handle.

"Sure, sweetheart," her mother replied. But before Rhea could lift it, Ricky was already by her side.

"I’ve got it," he said, grabbing the luggage and flashing her a grin.

Rhea blinked in surprise, then smiled faintly. "Thanks," she murmured, following as he pulled it toward the stairs.

When they were out of sight, Eddie sighed, leaning an elbow on the armrest. "He whines that we’re spoiling her," he said, "but he’s the one doing the spoiling. The kid acts like he doesn’t care, but he’s the worst of us when it comes to her."

Jake smirked. "You’re one to talk. You practically worship her too."

Their father chuckled under his breath. "Let them. She’s the glue holding this circus together."

Clara smiled softly, her eyes lingering on the stairs where Rhea had gone. "I guess you could say that," she said quietly.

Ricky nudged open the library doors with his shoulder, tugging the luggage behind him.

Rhea stepped in after him, her gaze drifting up to the tall shelves that stretched toward the ceiling. Her chest tightened with something like relief. "I’ve missed this place," she murmured, more to herself than to him. "I can’t believe all that was a dream."

Ricky stopped in the middle of the room and turned back to her, the luggage handle still in his hand. "Where do I put this?" he asked, breaking her trance.