Page 21 of Glass
9
POPPY
“It’s okay. I’ve got you.” I can feel tears dripping down my cheeks as the boy clutches me with all of the strength in his little body. I imagine this is how Paxton looked as a pup, though it’s not like I have family photos to confirm it. I touch the short, wiry curls at the base of his neck.
An older boy gets up from the table, taking jerky steps toward me. He looks conflicted as he hesitantly makes eye contact with me before dropping his gaze to the boy in my arms. His eyebrows knit together in worry, and his forehead is wrinkled beyond his years.
“What’s your name?” I ask softly. After all this time searching for the last of my siblings, I ache to hear their voices for the first time.
The boy standing in front of me straightens his chest, and it’s almost uncanny how the posture makes him look like he’s emulating Felix. Shoulders back, chest puffed slightly out, and mouth set in a grim line.
He doesn’t seem keen to answer me.
“I’m Poppy.” It’s taking everything in me to keep my voice steady, but I’m the adult and I’m the one blindsiding them. It’s my job to make them comfortable. “I’ve been searching for you five for a long time.”
“Where?” His voice sounds more grown up than I expect.
I shake my head; I’m not sure what he’s asking. He looks so suspicious of me, and the ache in my chest only continues growing.
His tone sharpens, “Where did you look?”
“Everywhere,” I tell him fiercely. “I started looking for you when I was only a kid myself. I’ve been everywhere from California to Maine to find you, and I never stopped looking.” The last thing in the world I want is for them to think I let them end up here by choice.
The boy in my arms wiggles, and I reluctantly loosen my grip. My heart stops when he puts a small hand on either of my cheeks and looks deeply into my eyes.
“Poppy,” he over-pronounces my name, trying it out. And then a little louder, “Poppy.”
“That’s right, buddy.” I nod encouragingly.
“You look like me,” he whispers in awe. He reaches out with one hand to run his fingers over my hair. “But purple.” He seems mesmerized by me, and hope blooms in my chest.
“That’s Lane,” the older boy points at the young one hovering close to me and takes his own step closer. “I’m Corey.”
The three kids waiting silently at the table seem to relax—as if by introducing himself, Corey has opened the gate to give me access to all of them. I’m not sure if he’s the oldest, there’s a girl who looks like she might be older, but he’s clearly the one whose approval is critical.
The oldest girl leans forward and puts her elbows on the table. The motion grabs my attention from the corner of my eye.
“You know, I can fix that hair for you,” she says. I give her my full attention in time to see the boy next to her pinch her arm. “What? Look at it.”
I self-consciously smooth a hand over my hair the best I can. “Actually, that would be really nice,” I tell her. The twins, Kate and Kaya, used to play with my hair like I was their own personal doll. It feels like I’ve come full circle having Shelby picking up where they left off.
“Cool.” She gives a wave belatedly. “I’m Shelby, by the way.” She points to the boy next to her and the girl across the table, respectively. “This is Jacob and Hannah.” Her lips twist for a second before she asks, “Are there more of you?”
“More siblings?” Shelby and Corey both nod.
“There are ten more besides me. Eleven in total plus the five of you. That makes sixteen.” Corey’s head reels back as if he’s been slapped.
“Ten,” Corey echoes. His face fills with anguish as he chokes up asking, “Where are they?” His head swivels in either direction, eyes darting to the RV windows as if the others will show up any second.
Guilt forms a knot in my throat. “They’re not here, but you’ll meet them. I promise.”
I should have reached out already. The second Doc brought me here instead of denying my siblings’ existence, I should have called Paxton and asked him to get everyone here immediately. All of the Glass siblings should be here, together for the first time. It feels selfish now that I waited to tell anyone else.
Corey abruptly turns around and faces the back of the RV. He’s obviously upset as his shoulders curl in slightly on himself, his whole body seeming to make itself smaller.
Hands squeeze my shoulders, and I startle slightly. I forgot Felix was even here. He releases me quickly and steps past me. Shifters have elite hearing, but I make an effort not to eavesdrop when Felix leans in and says something quietly into Corey’s ear.
Lane seems to grow tired of sharing my attention and wraps his arms around me again. I barely manage to balance on my toes as he wraps himself around me like a clingy panda.