I yawn and stretch, cuddling into a warm and fuzzy pillow right beside me that vibrates with purrs.

That makes me smile, and so I cuddle it closer. But I pop an eye open and realize I'm back in my fluffy bed at Sir Hans. That kinda freaks me out, so I sleepily drag my aching body and a pillow beneath the bed. I cuddle into the soft fabric of the rug, which is more comfy than my bed at home. For some reason, that brings a stab of pain to my sluggish heart, and I curl into a ball until I fall back asleep.

~~~

A bright light hits my eyelids. I open my eyes in a squint to see someone pulling the drapes on the windows open.

I scowl at the light and would finger a knife since I'm feeling stabby, but as I pat my body down for their usual hiding places—they’re gone.

I sit up quickly, but that’s a bit much and makes my head spin. I wait until it stops before trying to look around again. Then I meet two pairs of flaming icy blue eyes, one steely grey and one sky blue, and I wince.

It’s not often that Sir Hans and Jenny have it out. But when they do, they both have a glare that could freeze a glacier. But right now—that legendary anger isn’t aimed at each other. It’s aimed at me. I gulp.

“What were you thinking?” Sir Hans growls in a whispering voice that is all the more scary for its quietness.

My mind goes blank. Exactly what part is he talking about? The day before comes back to me in a rush, making my head spin again and I wanna just go back to dreamland. But how'd I make it back to the Hans'?

My sluggish mind turns back to Hans' question. Is he referring to the way I killed that monster, ran away from an assassin who was really cuddly and sweet, and then came back to tell a knight’s family they would now have to go on without their husband, father, and grandfather? Eh. That was a bad day.

“Why were you sleeping under the bed?” Jenny looks at me with disappointed eyes, lips turned down at the corners, and it’s making me feel worse than dirt. “You’re worse than a wild animal sometimes. Always looking for the least likely spot to curl up and die!”

That makes me chuckle.

Her sparking gaze makes me bite my tongue, cooling my humor quicker than ice water.

“If it’s any consolation, I knew I wasn’t going to die.” This time, I silently add.

“And if you were dying? Would you have done anything different?” Sir Hans asks, rubbing his beard, and watching me with piercing eyes. I avoid his gaze, a frown tugging at my lips.

Jenny brings me water to soothe my parched throat as Sir Hans asks the question I truly don’t have an answer for. Would I go quietly in the night, hiding, instead of going for help—if I knew for sure I were dying? Probably. No reason to trouble anyone.

Instead of answering, I lightly joke. "The rug is extremely comfy. Besides, I was hiding because I didn’t want anyone to find me, I think," I say, barely remembering climbing under the bed in the first place. Which makes me wonder how these two found me. I know it’s not the most original place to hide, but then again, I don’t think most sane people would crawl under a perfectly nice bed in a reasonably safe place.

But then again, they haven’t lived my life, either.

“How’d ya find me? And how'd I get back here?” I ask, truly curious.

Sir Hans lightly smirks, and I know I haven’t made them too upset. Probably mostly just worried. “The fairies brought you." That makes me wonder how the tiny things brought me back. It's not like they can shrink me... or can they? The humor in Sir Hans eyes makes me wary enough that I don't ask. Sir Hans lets me digest all that before he continues, "Your honored companion snores loud enough to wake the dead. She could not fit under the bed, either. Although, she should be given quite the accolades for effort. We found you curled up under a large bed with most of the frame resting on the backside of your bond.”

I'm tempted to chuckle, but a bit of annoyance also flares. I glare at my bond, who peeks one eye open to look at me. “You gave me away!”

She huffs a tiny growl. Like they weren’t going to find you, anyway. Besides, you were having a nightmare. I—couldn’t leave you like that.

So my sarcastic and sassy companion does have a heart. She blows a long-suffering sigh out her nose, something more human than anything I’ve ever heard from something with fur and four legs. She turns and puts her tail in my face. I chuckle at her and give her bushy tail a hug.

“Thank you. You’re the best,” I whisper. The tail gives a slight wag, and I know I didn’t hurt her feelings. Good.

“Don’t think you’re getting away with it that easily, little missie. Let us know what’s happening in that head of yours, hmm?” Jenny says, her lips pulled into a firm line.

“Nosy nobles,” I mumble.

Ran rumbles something between a growl and a purr, humor flaring over the bond.

Then Jenny places something on the bed. I didn’t realize until that moment that my was stomach starting to eat itself and then gnaw on my spine. I lightly send a quick “Thank you!” heavenward and then grab a tantalizing roll filled with a gooey cream brûlée. Talk about decadent.

I shove the rest in my mouth, letting the warm, sweet roll melt before it fills my belly.

Then I grab the apple and chow down on the slightly tart, pale yellow treat.

I open my eyes at last and see them both watching me with horror.

“Is it my table manners?” I stage whisper to Ran.

She huffs and eyes me like a distasteful piece of broccoli. Methinks it’s your lack thereof.

A smile morphs my lips and I chuckle at her words, and she pulls back her lips to expose her toothy maw in a smile.

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“Sorry. I was hungry! Seems being out all night will do it to a girl.”

Jenny shakes her head and throws up her hands. “What am I to do with her, William? I can’t—I can’t keep doing this—I can’t keep worrying and... and—“ she dissolves into gut wrenching sobs, and it’s all I can do to keep from jumping up and wrapping her in my arms.

I stare at the ground. I’m the reason she’s like this. And it’s making my stomach sink into a pit.

She collapses against Sir Hans, and he wraps her gently in his arms, cradling her to his chest.

I feel horrid. But what was I supposed to do? I live a hard life.

Perhaps not sleep under the bed. But even Ran’s sarcasm isn’t as scathing as usual. She watches Jenny with concern, then sighs out another breath and hops from the bed with the grace of a cat. A cat that is heavy enough the floor creaks and gives slightly under her paws as she glides over to Jenny.

She purrs and rubs her giant head against the back of Jenny’s legs and then her back before curling up at her feet. I smile even as my heart hurts. Jenny’s sobs slowly get softer.

I remember Ran doing that so many times when I needed her comfort, and she would provide exactly what I needed in a way that I suspect only animals and children know how.

The purrs get deeper and I send her my love and all the thankfulness for her being there over the years. Sometimes I don’t know if I would have survived without her. I shake my head. No, I know for a fact I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for you, my sister.

She glances up, and I see a warmth in her brown eyes that she hardly ever lets show. Love. She’s as bad as I am about being... safe—but perhaps that’s why we’re good for each other. We understand.

Ran gives me a slow nod, then turns back to Jenny, whose sobs have eased. I love you, too, sister. Even if you are an ugly two legs.

Fur covered mop.

Sasquatch.

Unicorn.

NOT FAIR!

“YOU STARTED IT!” I realize I yelled that out loud, and cover my mouth with my hands. “Sorry,” I say to Sir Hans and Jenny, who are looking at me like I’ve lost it. Her red splotched eyes somehow still manage to be beautiful, even with tear tracks down her smooth, pale cheeks. The wrinkles around her eyes wrinkle further as she smiles.

Then she laughs. Sir Hans chuckles and draws his wife closer and places a soft kiss on her hair. “Alright now, my love?”

I look away, not wishing to intrude on their private moment that makes me remember how my mother used to look at my father.

Something I yearn for, but doubt will ever be mine. Oh, well. Such is life.

“No, I’m sorry. I’ve just been so—emotional lately.” She shares a long, meaningful glance with Sir Hans.

I grin. Ahhhh. That makes more sense. Both the more mothering way she’s taken care of me and how she’s worried. And the emotional—outbursts. I remember Mamma doing the same thing with my siblings.

I feel so much better. I breathe a little easier, knowing it wasn’t entirely my fault and some emotions were due to hormones.

“You’re expecting!” They look like two cats caught eating the canary.

Jenny breaks into a grin first, but Sir Hans continues to glower at me, his eyebrows lowered in a mixture of worry and threat.

“No one knows,” he growls.

I hold up my hands placatingly to the protective father. “No worries, sir. Your secret is safe with me. This is so exciting, though! Congratulations!”

He finally breaks out into a grin and presses a deep kiss against his wife lips that makes her gasp. My cheeks heat and I look away.

“Darling, we have company,” Jenny gasps when they both come back up for air.

I grin. “Don’t mind me. But if you two need a room, I do believe there’s another one right down the hall.”

Jenny glows a deep red while Sir Hans lets out a booming, joyful laugh that makes Ran jump.

Jenny smacks her husband on the chest hard enough that I wince. “Behave,” she says with enough emphasis that he immediately takes heed.

“Sorry, dear,” he says quickly. I stifle a laugh.

She nods regally, straightening her hair where Hans had run a hand through it. “Now, where were we?”

“We were going to discuss if you’re having a boy or girl, when you’re due, and what celebrations are going to take place to welcome a new child into this beautiful family?” My words grow together at the end, my brain working quicker than my voice can keep up.

Jenny looks at me and blinks owlishly. “I did not realize you could speak so much at one time.”

“OH! And names! I need to know name options for gifts!” I’m almost bouncing with excitement. Momma always said that new life is a beautiful thing, something worth all the celebrations in the world. She always kept me a part of her pregnancies, and I adore babies.

Sir Hans comes over and sits beside me on the bed.

Jenny comes to my other side. She grabs my injured hand and slowly peels away the bulky bandage.

“We’ve discussed names. But, we needed her cousin's help before we finally decide.” Hans looks at me with a pointed look as Jenny beams like the proud mother she is.

It takes me a moment—but then I realize what he said. “Her? IT'S A GIRL?”

Jenny chuckles as Sir Hans grabs my wrist to keep me still as she dabs water on the part that sticks with dried blood. “William, she doesn’t get it.”

I mock glare at her. “I am sitting right here, thank you very much.”

She ignores me. “We should just tell her straight.”

He nods, helping his wife pull the last of the bandage off. I wince as a little bit of the bandage snags before releasing. I look down at it and smile when I realize it’s healing nicely. I make a fist a few times before nodding in satisfaction. “So what exactly are you two wanting me to get?” I ask as I look up.

They glance at each other before turning back to me with matching grins. “We would like to call you our surrogate niece.” Sir Hans holds up a hand before I can open my mouth to protest. “Hear us out. We know your family is coming back. Your mother and siblings will return before too long… but until then—and even after if you’ll let us—we would like to have you as a part of our family. You have done so much for us, little minx, I’ve already begun treating you as family. This would just make it official.”

I open and close my mouth a few times like a fish out of water. “Wha—? I don’t—I don’t know what to say.” My eyes grow watery and I quickly wipe them with the back of my hands. But more replace them.

Jenny draws me to her and lets me hide in her chest. “We know how hard life has been for you, but you still make sure everyone else’s lights can shine brightly, even when your own is dimmed by the evil of this world. We have come to love you, my dear, in all your independent and glorious beauty. Please say you’ll let us become a part of your family. Let us do this one small thing for you.” I cling to her as emotions of hope and love, joy and despair all compete for dominance.

“There, there, dear. You’re not alone any longer.”

She holds me as it all runs its course. “Yes,” I whisper.

She grows still, then peeks down to look at my face. “Truly?” she asks, joy shining in her sky-blue eyes.

I nod with a little laugh. I rub the tears from my eyes. “Yes! I would be honored to be a part of your family, just so long as you understand that my family will come first.”

“This we know, sweetheart. As they should.”

Then she and Sir Hans wrap me up in a group hug, and I am completely smothered in good natured, parental love.

I haven’t felt this loved or safe in many years... well, that is—if you exclude a small hug from an assassin spy who still makes my head spin.

But for now, I snuggle into my surrogate family’s arms as we build a bond based on love and trust that, for all of us, meant family long before we put a title on it. They have treated me like family from the very beginning, and I’m just now learning how very blessed I am to have these wonderful, supportive people in my life.

Ran gives me a look from where she's licking a paw. I tried to tell you.

I grin at her. Someday I'll learn to trust her instincts.

I shove a bit of guilt to the side, wondering what Momma and Jack and Jill would say. Will they think I’ve replaced them? I think Momma will understand… no; I know she will. It’s not that I’m replacing, but adding to. My heart is big enough to love all these people—I hope.

But that also fills me with a dread I try to ignore. Am I putting these wonderful people in danger? Am I strong enough to protect them too? I couldn’t even protect my own, small family—what makes me think I can protect my second family? I don’t think I’d survive if something happened to them, too.

I choke on a sob and they hug me tighter. If I bring danger to their door, will they still hold me? Or will they kick me out as they should in order to protect their children and unborn babe?