The Summer Moon
Chapter 62 -

Tyrese

"Uhh," I stuttered, unable to form an actual word. Malia bit her lip then gave me a nervous smile.

"I want you to meet my grandma before we go back to Florida, and that means you'll also have to meet my mom, who's um - less than enthusiastic that I went to stay with my dad without her permission. I think I may be grounded for eternity," her explanation made me chuckle. "I mean it would hardly be kidnapping, I want to be with you," she paused, stepping up on her toes and pressing her lips to mine. I kissed her back but she broke away too quickly. "But when my mom found out about my dad she sort of lost it and just took off with me, she can't do that again. I can't lose you," she whispered, her eyes turning sad.

I gave her a smile, "relax, that will never happen. You're my mate, even if she tried to hide you I would replace you. I'm drawn to you, I'll always replace you," I kissed her forehead reassuring her. I really didn't want to test her mother though, I didn't want to be separated from Malia for even a moment.

"Come on, my grandma is actually doing a bit better so my mom had her moved to our spare bedroom," she took my hand and led me into the apartment. I could feel my nerves building, I was nervous to meet the rest of Malia's family. I wanted to make a good impression, to show them that I loved her and would take care of her above all else.

"I thought your grandma had a heart attack?" I asked her. I didn't know very much about human health considering werewolves didn't suffer conditions like this because of our fast healing - but surely it seemed one would have to be hospitalized longer than a couple days.

"I guess she's recovering quickly," Malia shrugged clearly not wondering the same thing. "She's always been really healthy, she hardly even gets sick."

I nodded my head and continued following Malia through the house until we heard a voice behind us.

"Malia," we turned around to face an older woman with a pale complexion and short blonde hair matching Malia's. She wore a blouse and long pencil skirt as if she were dressed for business meetings later this afternoon, and by the grim look on her face, I could only assume this was Malia's mother.

"Mom, this Tyrese," Malia squeezed my hand harder as I stepped forward, extending the other out to her mother. Her eyes went wide as she looked between our held hands and my eyes.

"What happened to Brayden?" Her mother asked, narrowing her eyes at me. My whole body tensed up, who in the hell was Brayden?

"We broke up, a while ago," Malia said, but she turned away from her mother to look at me. She was more worried about me than her mother, and that made my whole body relax. I could trust her, she loves me.

Her mother gingerly reached out and took my hand to shake it. I gave her a small smile which she didn't return. "It's nice to meet you ma'am" I said, her eyes still carefully watching me.

"Do I know you?" She asked suddenly. "What's your last name? You're from there, aren't you?" she began accusing and I knew this was taking a turn for the worst.

"Yes Ty is from Florida, he lives near dad. Now if you'll excuse us we're going to see grandma," Malia pulled me arm and I followed her down the hall. I was happy to be leaving her mother behind us, but something about the look in her eyes made me nervous. She recognized something in me, she knew I was from there, and I couldn't take the chance that she would run off with Malia again. She had wanted to escape my world with Malia before, I wouldn't let her do it again. Malia pulled me into a guest bedroom with large windows all the far wall that overlooked the city. There was a large bed in the middle of the room with four wooden posts surrounding it, and frail older lady resting on it. Her head was propped up as she watched the TV, but as we approached her eyes widened and she muted the Tv's sound. Unlike Malia's mother, her grandmother met my eyes with a wide smile.

"I can only assume this is Ty," she grinned at me, already reaching out to shake my hand. When I met hers I felt an unusual feeling run through my spine and almost pulled back surprised but she closed her other hand around us. Her eyes locked on mine. "It's so nice to finally meet you again, I remember you picking my flowers to give to my granddaughter when you were just a little boy," her voice was soft and calm. I smiled, remembering her gardens. They were always so beautiful.

"It's nice to meet you as well, and it may be a little late but I'm sorry for picking your flowers all those years ago. Your gardens were always so beautiful," I smiled back at her.

"No worries at all dear, I'm happy to have been a part of the start of your little love story," I couldn't help but blush a little at her words. She was right though, my love story with Malia had started so much earlier than we had realized, I'd loved her from the very beginning.

Malia came up behind me, wrapping her arms around me from the side. Looking up at me she said, "Grams actually grew up in Florida, she knows all your secrets." I looked down at her than back to her grandmother surprised. It was rare for humans in the town to know and be understanding of the secret, but here we were and her grandmothers attitude towards me seemed so different from her mothers. I began to wonder how she found out the secret, and why she hadn't shared it with her daughter when Malia's mother had first become pregnant. But I pushed the thought out of my mind when Malia brought us some chairs to the bed side.

The three of us sat together for a while, retelling stories of Malia's childhood and I was enjoying every minute. We even got to share the airport story one more time and Malia's grandmother laughed even more than I did when I mentioned her throwing up on my shoes. And of course, Malia never failed to blush and be embarrassed, but that moment was so special to me. It was the start of everything.

After a while Malia's grandmother began looking tired so we decided to leave her for a nap. Malia and I had decided we would go out for dinner, then maybe approach the topic of her coming back to Florida with her mother. I truly didn't want to go the kidnapping route, I wanted to do this right. Malia had been raised by her mother, and even if their relationship seemed complicated I knew Malia would never be happy if she lost her mother from her life.

"See you later grams," Malia waved as she began pulling me to the exit. I interlaced my fingers with hers, feeling tingles spread across my skin.

"Malia do you mind if I just have a quick word with your lovely man here? I promise I won't keep him long," I looked over at her grandmother curiously. What could she possibly have to say to me? And when I looked back at Malia who was biting her lips nervously, but nodded my head telling her it was okay. As Malia nodded back, she turned and left then I returned to her grandmothers side.

Her hand came up to rest on the side of my face, her eyes focused on mine. "She is my only granddaughter, you take good care of her,"

"She will always be safe and happy with me," I assured her, meaning every word. Her grandmother smiled back at me,

"She's more special than you realize, yet," and then I saw in her eyes what I realized I had been sensing all along, magic.