Chapter 5

We all laughed and dad chuckled, “She wants you to crank the ice cream maker.” I laughed, “You won’t be sorry. Her homemade ice cream is the bomb! Especially when she makes a pie or cobbler with it.” We all walked to the door and grandma gave me a huge hug, “Grandma Honi isn’t doing well, sweetie. I’m glad you’re here.” I asked, “Where is she?” Grandma sighs, “She’s in one of the guest rooms. Second one on the right.” I smiled, “I’ll go see her.” Luke asked, “Would it be okay if I come with you?” I took his hand and we walked to her room.

When we got to the room, we walked in and grandma was laying in bed, watching television. She looked at me and held out her arms, “Come give me a hug.” We both walked to the bed and I sat beside her, taking her tiny body in a gentle embrace, “Grandma, how are you feeling?” She smiled at me, but I could tell she wasn’t feeling well, “I’m okay, nihˀoːteibeihi.” I smiled, “You have always called me that, but you never told me what it means.” She giggled, “I call you my butterfly because you have always been a free spirit.” I held her hand, “I love that. Thank you.” Grandma asked, “Did you find your mate?” She looked behind me and I motioned for Luke to approach, “Grandma, this is my mate, Luke. Luke this is my Grandma Honi.”

 Grandma reached out to hold his hand. He took her frail hand in his and smiled, “It’s very nice to meet you.” She pulled him to her, “You give me a hug. You’re family. You have a kind soul.” Luke smiled, “Thank you. I hope you get better soon. I just met you. I would love more time to get to know you.” Grandma chuckled, “I will do my best, but I’m afraid the Moon Goddess may have other plans. But it’s okay. The Moon Goddess’ will is always for the best.” I felt a tear fall down my cheek and my grandma smiled, “Aw, Sylvie, you have a full life ahead of you. Do not cry for me. I’m happy to do the Goddess’ will. I will be blessed for eternity.” I smiled, “I know you will, grandma. It’s just that I’m going to miss you.” She smiled, “We will be together again, love.” I hugged her, “I better get back out there for now. Are you going to come and eat, when it’s ready?” She nodded, “I will try, love, for you.”

As we walked out of grandma’s room, Luke asked, “How many grandmas do you have?” I smiled, “I have Grandma Abby, Great Grandma Gaby, Great-Great Grandma, then my Great-Great-Great Grandma Honi. I have an over-abundance of grandmas.” Luke laughed, “You’re extremely lucky. I never got to know any of mine.” I smiled, “You can adopt mine as yours then.”

We walked to the kitchen and grandma grabbed Luke’s hand, “Come on. I need your muscles.” She took him to the porch and set up the ice cream maker in front of him. I smiled, “They do make electric ice cream makers, grandma.” She giggled, “I know that, but it always turns out better when done the old-fashioned way.” Luke started cranking and I stayed on the porch while he worked. I asked, “I hope you don’t mind doing this?” He smiled, “Are you kidding? I love it. It makes me feel like more of a family member.” Grandma walked up behind him and kissed him on the cheek, “That’s because you are. Is that getting hard to crank?” he nodded, “It is getting hard to crank, but I can keep going.” Grandma smiled, “Let me check on it.” He stopped cranking and grandma took the top off. When Grandma tried to stir it with a wooden spoon, it took a bit of muscle to do so. Grandma smiled, “This is perfect. Let’s go eat.”

Luke and I washed our hands, then we went to the table and sat across from mom and dad. Nico and Brenna sat on one side of mom and dad while Caleb and Raven sat on the other side of them. Kurt and Sabrina sat next to me while Grandma Abby and Grandpa Damien sat next to Luke. I looked around the table and chuckled, “It’s a good thing you have huge table.” Grandma smiled, “I always wanted to keep this table. It accommodates eighteen comfortably. I like huge family gatherings.” I smiled, “We’re missing Grandma Honi.” Mom went to her room and grandma agreed to let her help her to the table. Grandma sat next to Grandpa Damien and I smiled, “Grandma’s here!” She smiled at me and started putting food on her plate. As we all started eating, Luke was moaning. I laughed, “So you like it, don’t you?” He moaned, “This is life-changing!” We all laughed and I chuckled, “Just wait for dessert.” He smiled, “I can’t wait.”

We all laughed and joked around until everyone was done eating lunch. That was when grandma brought out peach cobbler and ice cream. Luke’s eyes went wide and he leaned over to me, “I’m already full, but there is no way I’m passing this up.” I laughed, “Like I said; there is no one who has walked through that door who hasn’t walked out miserable.” I helped grandma dish out the cobbler and ice cream for each person. Once everyone had a dish, we all started eating. After taking the first bite, Luke’s eyes rolled back in his head. Grandma laughed, “Happens every time, without fail.” Luke asked, “What happens?” Grandma chuckled, “Your eyes rolled back in your head. That’s what all men do the first time they try the cobbler and ice cream.” I laughed while Luke grinned as he took another bite, “It’s an involuntary reaction.” I smiled, “Which is another reason why I had to bring you here before we go to our home.”

When we all finished eating, Luke helped Grandma Honi back to bed while I helped clean the kitchen and wash dishes. As we worked on the kitchen, mom asked, “So, Luke is quite handsome.” I laughed, “He is. He’s also sweet, caring and considerate. I really think he’s perfect for me.” Grandma smiled, “I think so too. You two are going to make big changes in our world.” I laughed, “As long as we care about each other, that’s all that matters to me.” Grandma smiled, “Lady, that man worships the ground you walk on. I don’t think that’s ever going to change. It's that damn mate bond.” I laughed, “Trust me, the feeling is mutual. That bond is no joke.”

After the kitchen was cleaned, I started looking for Luke. He wasn’t in the living room, so I went back to Grandma Honi’s room to look for him. I found him sitting beside her bed, holding her hand while she laid there smiling at him. I smiled at the sight. He had just met my grandmother and he is comforting her as lovingly as if he had known her all his life. I walked up behind him and wrapped my arms round his neck and hugged him from behind. I whispered in his ear, “You look like you love her already.” He smiled gently, “I do. Is that nuts?” I chuckled, “No, it’s not at all. Grandma is a sweet woman who has a way with people. I don’t think she ever had any enemies.” I sat next to Luke when grandma smiled at me, “Nihˀoːteibeihi, you are such a lucky lady to have such a handsome and caring mate.” I smiled, “I know grandma. I will never take him for granted.” Luke smiled, “I will never take her for granted either. I’m the lucky one.” I kissed him on the cheek, “We’re both lucky.” Grandma smiled, “You two are so sweet. I would love to visit some more, but I’m sleepy now.” I smiled, “Okay, we should get out of here. It’s almost time for us to get to my parents’ house so I can pack my stuff.” I hugged grandma and told her we would try to come back soon. Luke hugged her too and told her that he would take care of me.

I am so lucky to have him for a mate.