"Here I Am Alive" by Yellowcard

Adrienne got tired of waiting for me to figure out what everyone wanted for the welcome back dinner and either cornered people on her own or just decided things on her own. The latter was more likely, knowing her. We were all given strict instructions on when to show up for dinner tonight. Everyone was invited-even Erik the sheep, after Kelly threatened to cry out of protest.

Eunice looked up from sorting her papers. "Does this ever get any more interesting?"

"Not really unless you're digging in the dirt," I answered honestly. She groaned, clearly missing her adventurous life as an FBI agent. "We still appreciate your sacrifice."

"I know, I know. I just didn't realize that it would involve...this."

"To be fair, I didn't expect to be here at this point in my life either."

"Fair enough."

"Will you both pipe down, I'm trying to read over here," Smecker sighed, throwing his head back.

"I don't think gay erotica counts as reading," Eunice rolled her eyes.

"I mean, it has words," I shrugged. "Right?"

"Of course it has words. And other things."

She and I exchanged glances, shook our heads, and went back to silently sorting the files Adrienne had given us. The historical records here haven't even begun to be transferred to digital files. And they've been rifled through so much that they're barely in any semblance of an order any more. That means they need to be sorted. And since Eunice has no training, I get to train her. Not that she really needs it, she's smart enough to figure out most of this on her own. But it also gives Adrienne a break from these two bickering constantly.

"This is garbage," Smecker suddenly declared, throwing it across the tent before throwing his hands up in the air. "I'm so fucking bored."

"You could work," Eunice pointed to the boxes we had yet to touch. He waved her off.

"I'm not that kind of bored where I need to be more bored. I'm just bored. What do people do around here?"

"Drink and eat," I answered. "And play with sheep if you're my kids, Murphy, or Connor."

"That's boring."

"It's quaint."

"Quaint is boring. I want to go do something."

"Like what? We're pretty far from a city."

"I haven't thought that far ahead."

"Clearly," Eunice mumbled. She threw herself back in her chair. "I need a fucking break. And a cigarette."

"You guys could probably get some groceries or something in town," I offered. "I'm sure Adrienne or my mom have something that needs done."

"Say no more. I am everyone's personal errand boy now," Smecker declared and left the tent.

"Was that sarcasm or sincerity?"

"Sometimes I can't tell," Eunice shrugged before following him.

"Where are they going?" Tyler asked as he walked into the tent.

"They're bored and Smecker doesn't want to do menial work so they're off to find errands to run in town."

"I'm sure Adrienne will give them a lot to do so they're out of her hair for a bit."

I chuckled.

"Anyway, lunch time. I've commandeered you from the kids and Murphy for the afternoon." I raised my eyebrows. He held up two paper bags. "Courtesy of Momma McCarthy." I continued to stare at him. "Better not tell her I called her that."

"She would not enjoy it," I snickered. Tyler jiggled the bags in his hands while looking at me expectantly. I finished what I was doing and followed him obediently. He took me out to one of the hills by the farm that overlooked the valley the town was in. "It's beautiful up here."

"Yeah, it is, isn't it? It's one of my favorite places here."

"The river's mine."

"You've always liked water more than I have."

"You've always been a city man." I took a bite of the sandwich. Roast beef. My favorite. "Do you regret it?"

"Regret what?"

"Moving to Germany. Then Ireland. All of this," I gestured vaguely back at the camp and the farmhouse.

"Never," he shook his head. "You know I don't have family that I'm close to. I wasn't kidding when I said you're my sister. I meant it."

"I know you did. That doesn't mean you can't regret some things you've done for family."

He shrugged. "I'd rather have the people to do the things that I regret for. But, no, I don't regret it. And if you ask me one more time, Cec, I'm going to throw your roast beef down the hill."

"You wouldn't."

"I would."

"Jerk," I laughed. He grinned and stole a piece of my sandwich. "Hey!" I stole a piece of his in retaliation. "Ew, turkey."

"Murphy knew you'd hate it."

I smiled. "He knows things sometimes. Just don't tell him I said that."

Tyler laughed. We finished our lunch in relative silence, watching the town bustle about.

"You know you don't have to dedicate your life to us. Not that I'm not grateful for your help. But you can make your own life." Tyler turned and looked at me.

"Where are you going with this?"

"I'm just saying at some point when you're ready, you're allowed to date people. Get married. Or a civil partnership. Whatever they call it here."

"I go on dates."

"Oh, really? When was the last one?"

He got silent. "I guess it has been a while, huh?"

"Yeah, it has been. I don't want you to not enjoy your life."

"Point taken."

"Good."

That afternoon, Adrienne made us stop working a few hours early. Murphy, Connor, Eunice, Smecker, and I were all exempt from putting in any work for the dinner party. Adrienne even got Noah to help, with some convincing from Mom. Even Kelly and Declan were roped into helping.

"Mom! Da!" Kelly and Declan yelled in unison as they ran into the house. "It's time for dinner!"

Declan grabbed my hand while Kelly grabbed Murphy's and they began to drag us towards the campsite. I tried not to laugh at how little they cared about making sure anyone else was following us.

"Well that's some shit," Connor laughed. Murphy looked at me, grinning. I took his hand with my free hand as we walked through the field. He inter-laced his fingers with mine.

The entire camp was rearranged so that most of the work tables were pushed together into two different sets. One had more food than I had ever seen in my life and the other had more chairs than I had ever seen together in person. Instead of the typical construction lights we had for nighttime digs, Adrienne had procured a ton of candles and lit the large bonfire. It looked magical in the approaching dusk.

"Holy shit," I grinned, hugging Adrienne when I saw her. "This is amazing."

"Well, I didn't know when to stop," she admitted, hugging me tightly. "I just want you to know you're always welcomed and loved here. Even if you decide to go running off to America for a month at a time and can't be bothered to call often."

I smiled sheepishly. "I know. I'm a shit like that sometimes. Klaus gave me hell for it, too."

"Good, someone had to. I'm glad he found you." She glanced over at Murphy, who was laughing with the kids and Connor. "But you made the right choice. Even if you're shit at communicating," she grinned

I laughed, hugging her again.

"Now, let's eat!"

We ate and drank well into the night. Even after Kelly and Declan fell asleep on Murphy and I. It was one of those nights that I knew would be one of my favorite nights for the rest of my life.