First Angel: The Source {Goddess Class Creation Series: Book Three}

FA:TS- Chapter 35

"We should get some lunch." Dawn just nodded against his chest in total agreement knowing he felt what she needed.

"If you don't mind, I'd like to join."

Dawn looked over at her brother and smiled. "We'd love to have your company."

Stephan smiled and moved a lock of his sister's hair away from her eyes. "Come on sis. I know this great place. I'm buying."

Dawn smiled. "You don't have to."

He looked at her with an eyebrow raised. "And you think you can stop me. I may have struggled after I left home, but my struggles were more than fruitful." He smiled. "I was determined if ever I found you to make sure I could take care of you without you having to worry. Even my kids never knew exactly how much I could provide for everyone."

She smiled more giggling. "You were always a smart boy and were always determined to meet your goals that you set for yourself."

He smiled back at her and looked much younger than his late years. "I was just trying to keep up with you dear sister."

She held out her hand and the three of them walked out of the hospital feeling better then how they entered. Nicholas slowly being forgotten and the dark deeds he'd done to Dawn. He meant nothing anymore as if he didn't exist for them all now.

~~~

Dawn stared at her dessert as their conversation during lunch played through her mind. Stephan had talked about his family more and she felt her heart tightening with the desire to meet his wonderful family. His caring and wonderful wife. His smart and gifted children. Even his grandchildren. She wanted to meet them all.

Mark's hand slipped over hers on the table. "You okay Dawn?"

She smiled at him. "I think I'm more than okay at the moment."

Mark placed his other elbow on the table and his cheek in his hand. "Tell me what you are thinking."

Dawn's eyes going toward the restrooms where Stephan had excused himself. "I might just be ready to meet my family." She smiled. "They sound so amazing."

He smiled at her. "We could always go to the family reunion that your brother talked about. I'll go with you if you need me."

She nodded. "I'll definitely need you." Her smile turned toward him and he sighed in bliss. "You make the world bright again." She blushed. "I'm no longer in the shadows."

Mark raised her hand to his lips and gave her a kiss. "As you should be my light."

Her giggles made Stephan smile as he returned. "I know that giggle all too well from my wife and daughters. The sound of a happy woman." Dawn blushed a little because it was true. She was happy now after so long.

The she took Stephan's hand. "I've decided I want to meet your family at the family reunion."

"Oh Dawnie. You have no idea how delighted I am to hear that." He reached into his coat and withdrew a small notepad. "We don't know where to have it this year." He chuckled. "No one can agree on anything."

Mark looked at Dawn confused. "You're thinking something and you are conflicted."

Dawn nodded as she looked down. "I was thinking about the house."

He covered her hand with both of his. "The house you grew up in?" She nodded.

"Technically it's mine, isn't it?"

"That's true." Stephan nodded as he sat back with his glass of wine. "Nicholas could only claim it because you were missing and he was your betrothed. Legally it is fully yours to do with as you wish." Then he leaned forward. "But that place must have a lot of bad memories for you most of all."

She looked down. "But it has wonderful memories too." Looking up at her brother, she smiled with watery tears swarming in her eyes. "There are more years of happiness than of the few days of pain." She squeezed her brother's hand. "The years we were all together."

He smiled back at her. "And you want to hold the reunion there. Where are family was perfect for a time?"

She nodded. "I want the house alive again as I am alive again."

Stephan laughed and kissed her hand. "I'll talk to the others and convince them of your choice for the venue."

Mark kissed her hand. "And we can return to fix it up. Paint. All you want to do to the house to make it shine again for you."

"And I'm always there to help too."

Dawn looked between the two and smiled. "Then please convince them to have the reunion there." Stephan bowed his head as if he gave him a command. A smile on his face.