p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanDespite the rest of my siblings' posture, I remained sat up straight, refusing to allow myself to slouch. My eyes couldn't remove themselves from the disgusting concoction Elliott had placed in front of the four of us; I could make out some orange slices, and a few round cherries suppressed down by the white drizzles of… sour cream?/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanJust looking at it made me want to gag./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Y'all know, Jell-O used to be a delicacy." Elliott's legs swung back and forth as he spoke. "You know, in order to make it, you gotta boil down a whole mess of hooves… you know, horses, pigs, cows, it doesn't matter." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanMomentarily, I drifted my gaze up to Diego as he sat across from me, watching as he removed the holster he used to store his knives from his side and plucked one of the shining blades from its perch. Strangely, it looked like one of them was missing./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"But not everybody has a mess of hooves just lying around. It wasn't until, uh… a couple of sassy New Yorkers figured out how to dry it out so that the rest of us could have a… a chance to enjoy this ambrosia."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span'Enjoy' certainly wasn't the word I'd use to describe what I would be doing through this experience. At the same time, he seemed so excited to be serving something he'd made to his guests, even if three of us had been here for a little bit, I couldn't bring myself to say no./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"If we eat some, will you shut up?" Diego sighed, his agitation evident across his face./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Maybe," Elliott shrugged, much to Diego's displeasure. "Here."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanLuther and I both grimaced as Elliott dug the spoon deep into the amalgamation of various foods, throwing them into each of the five bowls. Unable to look at the ghastly sight for another moment, I forced my eyes away from Elliott and turned my attention to Vanya, who looked as though she was about to slide off the couch at any moment./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"How are you feeling?" I asked quietly. Her facial expression barely moved as she looked up at me./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Pretty shitty, to be honest," she whispered./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Where would you say you are on a scale from one to… ending all life on this planet." Luther and I glared at Diego as he tossed a knife up and down, sending the nonverbal threat straight to our sister./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Really?" Vanya groaned./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Diego, put the knife away, you idiot," Luther scoffed. "She's fine." In spite of the circumstances, I smiled for a moment. It was a little weird to hear Luther defending Vanya, but… no less heartwarming. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"The last time I saw this one, she had me suspended in midair, sucking the life out of me with energy tentacles. I think I'm allowed a little time to process." I flinched slightly as he stopped the movements of his knife and pointed it in our direction. Vanya, however, didn't appear phased even in the slightest./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Oh, I would love to see any energy tentacle." I turned to Elliott and shook my head, mouthing the word 'no' to diffuse anything of that nature before it got the chance to get off the ground./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"I don't remember what I did, but I'm sorry…" She paused, gesturing her hands up slightly. "If…if that means anything." Thankfully, Diego stood down, lowering his knife and resting his arm against the chair./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"It does." I couldn't help but roll my eyes, even though the situation had leaned in the right direction./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"You're such an asswipe sometimes, Diego." My two brothers looked to me with shocked expressions./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Whoa, Mina, what's with the insults today?" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanI sighed, shaking my head. It had absolutely nothing to do with them, but in all honesty, I hadn't realized just how much the incident in question had been bothering me. I tried my best to push everything out of my mind and focus on my family, but memories of my, albeit short, time with Lila would pop up every now and then and force a wedge right under my ribcage./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"I'm sorry," I muttered. "I'm just going through a lot right now. There's this… girl that I like. I thought that she liked me, but it turns out—"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanBefore I got the chance to finish, the gentle tinkling of the bell Elliott had attached to the entrance of the television shop danced up to us, indicating the last missing pieces of our family were here… hopefully./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Oh, thank God." I rolled my eyes as all of us pushed ourselves up from our seats./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Thanks for the two-way street, Luther."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanThe last little bits of anger I clung to fell away completely as I leaned against the railing, casting my eyes downward. My heart jumped in my throat at the sight of the two tall figures trotting in beside my younger brother. The woman on the very right stood tall, demanding the attention of whomever looked to her, perfectly groomed and still overwhelmingly stunning. Directly to her left, a man whose hair had cascaded down to his shoulders wobbled back and forth./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanMy knuckles turned bright white as I gripped the metal railing, but I didn't give a damn. The moment my eyes met with Klaus', it felt as though my heart was about to crawl out of my throat and drop onto the ground below. The reality of the situation crept up faster and faster, forcing the biggest, dumbest grin onto my face./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanMy whole family… we were here… we were alive./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"I know this is impossible, but… did we all get sexier?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanAnd, thankfully, it didn't seem like any of us had changed that much. Klaus certainly hadn't, at the very least. As he waved at me, I managed to pry one of my hands away from its support system and offer a tiny one back to him./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Vanya," Allison whispered, her eyes nearly bugging out of her head. I guess she had no way of knowing whether Vanya had survived everything that happened to her, so this must have come as a pretty big shock… the good kind, of course./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"I can't believe I have another sister."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanI nearly tripped over myself a few times as I rushed down the stairs, pushing Diego aside as I barreled straight for Klaus. Good God, it had been so long since I'd seen him, so for him to be standing in front of me, right within arms' reach… part of me worried I'd get to him, and that's when I'd shoot awake, erasing everything that just happened./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanBut my arms wrapped firmly around my brother's torso as I nearly collided right into him. He stumbled a little at the sudden impact, but just a second later, he lifted me off the ground a bit and then hugged me tight, affirming everything was real. I didn't hold back when I started to cry, overwhelmed with emotion at the moment./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Holy shit, Klaus," I gasped. "You have no idea how much I emmissed /emyou."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Aw, Mina." If it was even possible, he pulled me tighter against him. "I didn't even know if you were alive. I got so worried, I thought… but you're here! You're here, and you're…" He hesitated, eyeing me cautiously through the hug. I knew why he paused, but I just shook my head, smiling at him./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"It's okay, you can say it," I assured him. "I'm all good now."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"You look so normal," he smiled. "So healthy."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Thanks," I laughed. "Two years has made a world of difference."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"That's when I got one whiff of his breath, and immediately recoiled slightly. The stench of alcohol was so strong, I questioned whether it was saliva or vodka that broke down the food in his mouth./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Oh, you are drunk," I gagged, trying my best not to let it bother me… for now. I still wasn't going to let go./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Yeah. No, just a little, just a few…" Klaus sighed. "There have been a lot of times… I wish you were there with me." I glanced up at him and nodded, understanding what he was trying to get at./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"I bet. Living in this time really sucks."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanFor a moment, my eyes moved past my brother, and I suddenly felt the compelling need to drift to my sisters, requiring that last little bit of comfort. Even if Allison and I hadn't had the best relationship over the years, I still missed her like emhell/em. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanBesides, Klaus was already sort of dragging me in that direction./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Oh, that is so sweet."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanJust moments later, I found myself pressed against Allison's side as Klaus swept the four of us into a group hug. I laid my head against her shoulder, pushing it maybe a little too close to her neck. Thankfully, she didn't seem to mind./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"It's so good to see you, Allison," I sighed as Klaus planted a kiss on the top of Vanya's head./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"You too, Mina. And you're… better." I nodded vigorously. The compliment didn't really come out the way she intended, but I didn't care./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Hi, Vanny," Klaus whispered. With our greetings finally coming full circle, the four of us pushed away, though I somehow found Klaus and my arms still linked./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Klaus, is Ben here?" Five inquired from across the room. He was trying his best to keep his expression neutral, but I could see the content smile trying to push through every now and then./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Oh, uh… no," Klaus denied. "No, unfortunately, ghosts can't time travel."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanThat didn't really seem all that convincing, given that Klaus had told me Ben was always with him, but the man was drunk, so maybe he just couldn't see him right now./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"All right, then," Five shrugged. "Let's get down to business."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanKlaus practically dragged me up the stairs as we followed Vanya, meeting most of our siblings at the top. Allison and Diego lingered for a moment, just sort of staring at each other for a second; it was then it occurred to me I hadn't seen them speak to each other yet./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Hey, Diego," Allison called out, trying to get her brother's attention. "Can't say hi to nobody?" Caught a little off-guard, Diego started to turn and head toward the stairs, prompting his sister to do the same./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Hi, Allison," he muttered, barely audible. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"What was that?" she teased, a big grin on her face./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Hi, Allison!"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Thank you!"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanJust looking at it made me want to gag./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Y'all know, Jell-O used to be a delicacy." Elliott's legs swung back and forth as he spoke. "You know, in order to make it, you gotta boil down a whole mess of hooves… you know, horses, pigs, cows, it doesn't matter." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanMomentarily, I drifted my gaze up to Diego as he sat across from me, watching as he removed the holster he used to store his knives from his side and plucked one of the shining blades from its perch. Strangely, it looked like one of them was missing./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"But not everybody has a mess of hooves just lying around. It wasn't until, uh… a couple of sassy New Yorkers figured out how to dry it out so that the rest of us could have a… a chance to enjoy this ambrosia."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span'Enjoy' certainly wasn't the word I'd use to describe what I would be doing through this experience. At the same time, he seemed so excited to be serving something he'd made to his guests, even if three of us had been here for a little bit, I couldn't bring myself to say no./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"If we eat some, will you shut up?" Diego sighed, his agitation evident across his face./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Maybe," Elliott shrugged, much to Diego's displeasure. "Here."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanLuther and I both grimaced as Elliott dug the spoon deep into the amalgamation of various foods, throwing them into each of the five bowls. Unable to look at the ghastly sight for another moment, I forced my eyes away from Elliott and turned my attention to Vanya, who looked as though she was about to slide off the couch at any moment./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"How are you feeling?" I asked quietly. Her facial expression barely moved as she looked up at me./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Pretty shitty, to be honest," she whispered./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Where would you say you are on a scale from one to… ending all life on this planet." Luther and I glared at Diego as he tossed a knife up and down, sending the nonverbal threat straight to our sister./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Really?" Vanya groaned./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Diego, put the knife away, you idiot," Luther scoffed. "She's fine." In spite of the circumstances, I smiled for a moment. It was a little weird to hear Luther defending Vanya, but… no less heartwarming. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"The last time I saw this one, she had me suspended in midair, sucking the life out of me with energy tentacles. I think I'm allowed a little time to process." I flinched slightly as he stopped the movements of his knife and pointed it in our direction. Vanya, however, didn't appear phased even in the slightest./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Oh, I would love to see any energy tentacle." I turned to Elliott and shook my head, mouthing the word 'no' to diffuse anything of that nature before it got the chance to get off the ground./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"I don't remember what I did, but I'm sorry…" She paused, gesturing her hands up slightly. "If…if that means anything." Thankfully, Diego stood down, lowering his knife and resting his arm against the chair./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"It does." I couldn't help but roll my eyes, even though the situation had leaned in the right direction./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"You're such an asswipe sometimes, Diego." My two brothers looked to me with shocked expressions./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Whoa, Mina, what's with the insults today?" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanI sighed, shaking my head. It had absolutely nothing to do with them, but in all honesty, I hadn't realized just how much the incident in question had been bothering me. I tried my best to push everything out of my mind and focus on my family, but memories of my, albeit short, time with Lila would pop up every now and then and force a wedge right under my ribcage./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"I'm sorry," I muttered. "I'm just going through a lot right now. There's this… girl that I like. I thought that she liked me, but it turns out—"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanBefore I got the chance to finish, the gentle tinkling of the bell Elliott had attached to the entrance of the television shop danced up to us, indicating the last missing pieces of our family were here… hopefully./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Oh, thank God." I rolled my eyes as all of us pushed ourselves up from our seats./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Thanks for the two-way street, Luther."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanThe last little bits of anger I clung to fell away completely as I leaned against the railing, casting my eyes downward. My heart jumped in my throat at the sight of the two tall figures trotting in beside my younger brother. The woman on the very right stood tall, demanding the attention of whomever looked to her, perfectly groomed and still overwhelmingly stunning. Directly to her left, a man whose hair had cascaded down to his shoulders wobbled back and forth./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanMy knuckles turned bright white as I gripped the metal railing, but I didn't give a damn. The moment my eyes met with Klaus', it felt as though my heart was about to crawl out of my throat and drop onto the ground below. The reality of the situation crept up faster and faster, forcing the biggest, dumbest grin onto my face./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanMy whole family… we were here… we were alive./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"I know this is impossible, but… did we all get sexier?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanAnd, thankfully, it didn't seem like any of us had changed that much. Klaus certainly hadn't, at the very least. As he waved at me, I managed to pry one of my hands away from its support system and offer a tiny one back to him./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Vanya," Allison whispered, her eyes nearly bugging out of her head. I guess she had no way of knowing whether Vanya had survived everything that happened to her, so this must have come as a pretty big shock… the good kind, of course./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"I can't believe I have another sister."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanI nearly tripped over myself a few times as I rushed down the stairs, pushing Diego aside as I barreled straight for Klaus. Good God, it had been so long since I'd seen him, so for him to be standing in front of me, right within arms' reach… part of me worried I'd get to him, and that's when I'd shoot awake, erasing everything that just happened./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanBut my arms wrapped firmly around my brother's torso as I nearly collided right into him. He stumbled a little at the sudden impact, but just a second later, he lifted me off the ground a bit and then hugged me tight, affirming everything was real. I didn't hold back when I started to cry, overwhelmed with emotion at the moment./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Holy shit, Klaus," I gasped. "You have no idea how much I emmissed /emyou."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Aw, Mina." If it was even possible, he pulled me tighter against him. "I didn't even know if you were alive. I got so worried, I thought… but you're here! You're here, and you're…" He hesitated, eyeing me cautiously through the hug. I knew why he paused, but I just shook my head, smiling at him./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"It's okay, you can say it," I assured him. "I'm all good now."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"You look so normal," he smiled. "So healthy."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Thanks," I laughed. "Two years has made a world of difference."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"That's when I got one whiff of his breath, and immediately recoiled slightly. The stench of alcohol was so strong, I questioned whether it was saliva or vodka that broke down the food in his mouth./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Oh, you are drunk," I gagged, trying my best not to let it bother me… for now. I still wasn't going to let go./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Yeah. No, just a little, just a few…" Klaus sighed. "There have been a lot of times… I wish you were there with me." I glanced up at him and nodded, understanding what he was trying to get at./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"I bet. Living in this time really sucks."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanFor a moment, my eyes moved past my brother, and I suddenly felt the compelling need to drift to my sisters, requiring that last little bit of comfort. Even if Allison and I hadn't had the best relationship over the years, I still missed her like emhell/em. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanBesides, Klaus was already sort of dragging me in that direction./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Oh, that is so sweet."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanJust moments later, I found myself pressed against Allison's side as Klaus swept the four of us into a group hug. I laid my head against her shoulder, pushing it maybe a little too close to her neck. Thankfully, she didn't seem to mind./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"It's so good to see you, Allison," I sighed as Klaus planted a kiss on the top of Vanya's head./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"You too, Mina. And you're… better." I nodded vigorously. The compliment didn't really come out the way she intended, but I didn't care./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Hi, Vanny," Klaus whispered. With our greetings finally coming full circle, the four of us pushed away, though I somehow found Klaus and my arms still linked./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Klaus, is Ben here?" Five inquired from across the room. He was trying his best to keep his expression neutral, but I could see the content smile trying to push through every now and then./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Oh, uh… no," Klaus denied. "No, unfortunately, ghosts can't time travel."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanThat didn't really seem all that convincing, given that Klaus had told me Ben was always with him, but the man was drunk, so maybe he just couldn't see him right now./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"All right, then," Five shrugged. "Let's get down to business."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanKlaus practically dragged me up the stairs as we followed Vanya, meeting most of our siblings at the top. Allison and Diego lingered for a moment, just sort of staring at each other for a second; it was then it occurred to me I hadn't seen them speak to each other yet./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Hey, Diego," Allison called out, trying to get her brother's attention. "Can't say hi to nobody?" Caught a little off-guard, Diego started to turn and head toward the stairs, prompting his sister to do the same./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Hi, Allison," he muttered, barely audible. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"What was that?" she teased, a big grin on her face./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Hi, Allison!"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"Thank you!"/span/p