Chapter Twenty Six: It Feels Like I'm Family

ELLA'S POV

I laugh as my mom slaps Angel's and Gazzy's hands lightly, warning them off the bread. They whine, stuffing their faces with the bread already in their hands before my mom can say anything else. She smiles, filling the rest of the glasses.

Iggy and Fang come downstairs as Nudge takes a seat next to me, drinking out of her glass. Both the boys are giving off very different vibes, unusual for the dinner table.

Fang is angry about something. His eyes are slightly narrowed and his shoulders are tense. He sits down in his spot, glaring at his water like it will solve all of his internal battles.

Iggy is nervous and his breathing is shallower. He sits down next to me, fiddling with his napkin. I place my hand on his, him turning to look at me with a perplexed expression. I pull my hand away quickly, quietly cursing myself for doing such a thing.

We used to hold hands and touch each other as a show of comfort until Iggy broke up with me, making up an excuse about being in high school and shouldn't be dating a middle schooler and oh the biggest fact: He's my brother. I was sour towards him for a while after that, the air around us in every encounter was awkward and tense because I'm in love with him. I'm in love with my 'brother'.

That's what made Arizona so great. We lived on the outskirts of town and none of them attended my school. We were free to date each other. Not here though.

When I found out about his new girlfriend, I wasn't angry but I was slightly saddened and disappointed. Then I would have to remind myself that he's supposed to be my brother. Adopted but nonetheless, my brother.

My mood turns sour thinking about it so I'm grateful when the doorbell rings. I stand, smiling to shake the thoughts from my head. "I'll get it!"

I walk quickly towards the door, peering through the stain glass to see a young girl. The new girl as Iggy had put it when he said that he invited her over. It's a nice thing to do. A welcome to the neighborhood type of thing.

I supported it, happy that there's a new girl moving into town. Even though she isn't my age, who knows, maybe we can be friends. My life has been empty since Max was taken from us.

I open the door, a welcoming smile spreading across my face. At first glance I note two things. One) she is extremely pretty and two) she sort of reminds me of Max.

Her eyes soften when she sees me and I step aside allowing her to walk through. "Hello, I'm Dani."

She pauses, extending her hand for me to shake. I take it, moments later letting go to close the front door. "I'm Ella. I'm one of Iggy's siblings." I hang onto the last word because it's so far from the truth that it hurts my heart.

She nods, looking around. "Lovely home."

I shrug and the two of us walk down the hall back to the dinner table. Everyone is sitting, impatiently waiting to meet Dani. I take my seat next to Iggy again as she sits next to Angel.

Angel does a double take, squinting at the new girl as Dani sits down. She glances in my direction and I shoot her a glare because it's rude to stare.

Angel, that was rude.

Sorry, I thought she was Max for a second.

I laugh quietly in my hand. Same. She looks similar for sure. But it's rude to stare.

She pouts slightly but settles down. Awkward silence befalls the table as everyone stares at the food in front of us. My mom clears her throat, turning towards Dani with a smile.

"What's your name, my dear? I'm Dr. Martinez."

"Dani,"

My mom nods, turning towards Angel who sits next to her, prompting her to introduce herself. Angel smiles, curls swaying as she turns to look at Dani.

"I"m Angel."

Dani smiles at her, a motherly gaze spreading across her face. This time, I do a double take because it looks exactly like the looks Max used to give Angel when she lived with us. Tears well in my eyes but I push them away before anyone notices. I can't be crying at the dinner table in front of the guest who happens to remind me so much of my dear sister, Max.

Gazzy, who has finally finished eating his bread, smiles sweetly at Dani. "I'm Ga-Zac. I'm Zac," He stumbles over his name, almost revealing his true name. Everyone's eyes widen but Dani simply smiles, brushing it off.

Iggy and Fang don't say anything because they've obviously already introduced themselves. I don't say anything either so everyone turns to look at Nudge.

She beams, glad it's finally her turn. "I'm Crystal. It's very nice to meet you, Dani."

Dani smiles and silence fills the air as the conversation drops. My mom claps her hands, pointing at all the steaming food. "Let's eat! Then we can chat more and perhaps the girls will like to give a tour afterwards!"

Everyone fills their plates, spirits lifted as we all start to munch on my mom's delicious cooking. As I cut my pasta, I glance up to see Dani taking a bite of my mom's famous garlic bread. She closes her eyes, satisfied and sighs happily. The reaction seems like she almost . . . missed it.

Missed my mom's cooking? No, that doesn't make any sense.

Light chatter fills the air as Nudge and Angel talk to Dani. They talk about nonsense like asking what things Dani likes to do. I listen, saying my input every now and then but otherwise, staying silent.

While I don't know Dani very well, her presence almost seems familiar. It's comforting in a way but at the same time, it makes me pause, confused.

As dessert rolls around and my mom pulls out a plate of her chocolate chip cookies, Dani's eyes widen in longing. And just like the dinner it appears that she almost missed my mom's famous cookies.

And just like I thought earlier, it doesn't make any sense. She grabs three cookies, eating them rather quickly as everyone chuckles and stuffs their faces with cookies.

No one else seems like they think something is off. It's probably nothing.

It's definitely probably nothing.

Probably.

MAX'S POV

As I sit with the Flock, eating my dinner, I can't help but feel at home. It whisks away all my previous nerves and doubts as I stuff my face in my mom's delicious cooking.

Oh my god, I've missed her food so fucking much. It's so good. Compared to the crap I've been eating the last few years, I've been deprived of a good home cooked meal.

And oh my god, my mom's cookies are heavenly. Honestly, out of everything, the cookies are what I missed most.

I tried to refrain from grabbing the whole plate but it didn't go well. At the end of it, I ate ten cookies.

What? I can't help it.

"Why don't we go upstairs and hang out for a bit?" suggests Nudge as I finish my water. I nod but Iggy speaks up. I glance over at him, wanting to kick him but don't because I need to keep my cover.

"Why don't we give M-Dani, give Dani a tour?" He laughs nervously, slight panic in his eyes. I choke on my water, coughing. Goddamnit, Iggy, you almost gave me away.

Ella narrows her eyes at Iggy slightly, thinking, before shaking her head against whatever she is currently thinking. I try not to sigh in relief as I stand.

"Sounds good to me." says Fang, grumpily.

"Great! Let's go," Nudge grabs my hand, yanking me from the table. She races away from the table, dragging me and Angel behind her. Angel keeps glancing at me as Nudge fills me in on all the family portraits that line the wall. Suspicion swirls in her eyes as she tries to figure me out. Making sure my mind block is on, I smile at her, acting like nothings wrong.

Because everything's fine. At least for now.