Chapter 804
“This is the place you picked. The view’s really something,” Lance said, glancing around the gentle slope of the cemetery, where wildflowers nodded in the breeze and old oak trees cast dappled shadows.
“You like it, don’t you?” Calliope replied with a soft smile.
“I’ll come visit you often,” Lance promised, his voice thick with emotion as he spoke to the headstone.
Calliope stepped forward and addressed the grave with quiet conviction, “Hudson, don’t worry. I’ll make sure Lance is taken care of p>
Their friends and family lingered with them for a long time, sharing memories, hugs, and the silence that only grief can bring. Eventually, one by one, the crowd dispersed, leaving just Calliope, Silas, and Lance among the rows of weathered stones.
Back at Lance’s old house, Calliope and Silas tried to persuade him to stay at the Myers Manor for a few days, just so he wouldn’t be alone. But Lance shook his head. “Really, I’ll be okay here. This is home p>
After a quiet conversation in the hallway, Calliope let Silas know she’d stay with Lance for a few days. Silas didn’t love the idea of being apart from her, but he understood.
Losing the person you loved most wasn’t something you just bounced back from.
He kissed her forehead and told her to call if she needed anything, then left without another word.
That night, Calliope stayed up with Lance. He talked for hours, sometimes about Hudson, sometimes about everything and nothing. To her surprise, he was calmer than she expected.
Lance, who’d always been a bit dramatic and stubborn, was just…quiet. He didn’t try to hide his sadness, but he wasn’t falling apart either. He told stories, shared memories, and when he got tired, he simply said, “I’m heading to bed. You should get some sleep too. No need to worry about me p>
Calliope knew it would hurt. Losing someone close to you always did. Even years after her own grandfather had passed, she still dreamed about him sometimes, still felt a pang of regret when she stumbled across something he would’ve loved. That ache never really went away. It just faded into the background, part of life.
She knew Lance had a hard road ahead, learning to live without Hudson. But she also knew he’d get through it Hudson had left him with so many memories, so much love. That would have to be enough.
s
Calliope was exhausted from the funeral and all the emotion. She fell asleep as
soon as her head hit the pillow.
The next morning, when she
wandered sleepily into the kitchen, she found Lance already dressed
looking every bit is sunny self, like the world hadn’t just shifted forever. s
He’d even made breakfast: scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, toast, and a plate of fresh fruit. The kitchen smelled wonderful.
“Hey, you’re up! Bet you’re starving. Come eat!” Lance called out, grinning over his shoulder.
“My skills have leveled up big time lately. Seriously, you’ll regret it if you don’t try this!” he added, waving a spatula with mock pride.
Sunlight poured through the window, turning his blond hair almost golden. For just a moment, Calliope could. almost see Hudson sitting at
Penet
table,ooking up at Lance with that familiar, affectionate smirk, ready with a teasing remark. s
“What’s up?” Lance asked, noticing her dazed look. “You still half asleep p>
“Pretty much,” Calliope replied, stretching and stifling a yawn. “But if you say breakfast is that good, I guess I have to see for myself if you’re telling the truth!” She sat down and eyed the plates. “Presentation’s impressive, I’ll give you that. But let’s see how it tastes p>
She picked up a fork, giving Lance a playful, appraising look.
He grinned and took a seat across from her. “It’s honestly delicious. Hudson
always said I was a natural at picking up new things, even cooking p>
For a second, his smile faltered, just a little hint of sadness in his eyes. But then he straightened up, ready to face another day.