Don't Poke the Luna (Xena and Ryder)

Xena's POV

"Good. Can you help me get these to the car?" Ama answered for us. They immediately complied, grabbing a box and heading out of the room.

"How's the baby?" I asked once they'd left.

"Good. Growing like a weed." Ama sat down with a long sigh, her hand automatically moving to her rounded belly.

"Boy or girl?" I asked as I shut down the computer.

"We want it to be a surprise." Ama rubbed her stomach with a small smile.

"Where's William?"

"Probably doing something that will eventually land him in the hospital." Ama grumbled.

I couldn't help but laugh at that. William's stubbornness had become legendary. Even serious injuries couldn't stop him from living life on his own terms.

"Speaking of hospitals..." Penelope walked into the room.

"Oh?" I looked at her, knowing where this was going.

"I want to meet them."

My heart sank. I knew this moment would come, but I'd hoped we could wait a little longer. Penelope needed to meet her parents, but the timing worried me. Her emotional state, their physical condition–this could get very complicated.

Just then, Ryder and Logan walked back in. "Meet who?," Ryder asked as he sat beside Ama.

"Tansy and Jericho."

Logan looked at me. "Penelope, they're in rough shape..." I tried to say.noveldrama

"I know, but we need them to reject the title so we can move forward with our

plans, and... I just want to meet them."

I could see the determination in Penelope's eyes.

"Honey, you understand they didn't abandon you?" Logan wasn't opposing, but he was hesitant like I was.

"I know. We talked about this last night. She glared at him.

"Penelope..." I began.

"If you were in my position, would you let anyone stop you?" Penelope turned to

me.

Her words hit home. She was right-if it were me, nothing would stop me, even if it meant facing painful truths.

"Fine. You want to meet them? Then we go to the hospital, but you need to understand the trauma Tansy has endured. Not to mention Jericho. They look rough, and everything they've done for the past nineteen years has been to ensure you were safe and loved. Whatever you think or feel, remember that. I gave Logan a look that said she's your problem.

"Come on." Logan sighed.

I wanted to follow them because I was the only person Tansy really knew. But I also knew this was Penelope's moment, and she needed space to process this reunion, whatever the outcome.

"Are you okay?" I asked Penelope. "I mean, you seemed a little stressed earlier today."

"I'm stressed and can't focus because I know they're here. I can't get them out of my head, so if it means I need to meet them in order to focus, then I will."

It made sense, but I was more afraid of how she would handle this. Penelope was such a gentle soul that meeting her parents after all these years might be too much.

As we approached the hospital, there was one guard standing in front. Like the rest of the area, it looked gloomy. The white paint had faded and needed a good pressure wash. What was once green vines had overgrown one side, but now it

all dead and crumbling. Even the windows were void of any life.

was

"Alpha, Luna.” The guard said as we each passed. He held the door open for us but quickly closed it after. Only emergency lights were on, making the hallway dark. I half expected someone to pop out of one of the rooms with a knife. Maybe I'd watched too many horror movies.

I was lost in thought, so when Ryder stopped right in front of me, I walked straight into him. “Oh, sorry!" I mumbled as I took a step back. "Penelope, let me go first and tell them what's happening, okay?"

"O-okay." She looked like she was reconsidering her decision.

Logan pulled her into his arms, and she immediately buried her face in his chest. He looked at me and nodded, and I opened the door and walked in. Ryder slipped in right behind me but quickly closed the door. He stood to the side with his arms crossed, looking like a damn bodyguard.

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