Chapter 40

"I can't get over this view," Thea smiled as she walked towards the edge of the terrace, "It's so beautiful,"

"It still doesn't come close to you," Killian walked up to her and wrapped his arms around her waist,

Thea giggled,

"You're crazy,"

Killian smiled and buried his head in her neck,

"And we both know whose doing that is."

Thea blushed and relaxed in his warm embrace. Dinner had gone amazingly well and Thea was glad to see her brother and Killian trying to get along with each other for her sake. Tonight was officially her favourite night and she wanted to imprint every moment on her heart.

On another note, Thea couldn't help but notice her brother had had his eyes on Makenna all through dinner. She'd caught Makenna looking at him a few times but looking away just as quickly.

After Killian had come out of the washroom, she'd grabbed his hand and dragged him to the terrace, giving her brother and Makenna some time to be alone. Of course, she had reminded her brother to bring some ice cream on his way up. Just then, the door to the terrace opened and Makenna stepped out, followed by her brother. Both of them held two dessert bowls in each hand.

"There you are," Thea stepped away from Killian and headed towards them, "I was starting to wonder if you were having the ice cream without me."

"We wouldn't dare," Atlas smiled and he shared a look with Makenna that Thea caught,

"Here you are," Makenna handed Thea one of the dessert bowls with three scoops of ice cream,

"Killian, this is for you," Atlas handed Killian one,

"Thank you,"

They all sat down around the table - Killian and Thea on one sofa and Atlas and Makenna on another, across from them.

Thea cuddled up beside Killian and took a spoonful of ice cream. She sighed audibly,

"This is nice. We should do this more often."

"Couldn't agree more," Killian smiled,

Makenna was playing with her ice cream and when she looked up, she saw their eyes were on her. They were waiting for her to agree with what Thea had said.

"It's not...terrible."

Atlas smiled at her and kept his gaze on her until she looked at him. Thea and Killian chuckled at her unwillingness to show that she enjoyed the night as much as they did.

Thea gasped and they all looked at her. She sat up beaming,

"I forgot to mention,"

"What?" Killian asked, her reaction making him curious,

"The other night I was here," She looked at Atlas, "You were talking to me about pressing charges and I got a notification. But I completely ignored it because, excuse me, an important conversation is happening."

They were all smiling, trying to keep up with how fast she was going and the excitement that was clear in her expression and her voice.

"What happened?" Makenna asked,

"I posted a picture on Instagram of one of the paintings in the gallery with a caption explaining why I loved it, and well, there was a lot of engagement on it including someone asking me if it's for sale."

"Well?" Atlas waited for her to go on,

"I mentioned that it is and stated the price. They sent their address and asked how long it would take to deliver," Thea said,

"What?" Makenna was surprised,

"It's crazy, I know." Thea said, "I mentioned it to my manager today, we finalized everything with the buyer and the painting's been shipped."

"That's insane," Killian said with pride in his voice.

"Goodness, Thee. I'm so proud of you," Atlas felt elated for her,

He knew how much she'd been working on growing her social media account which was dedicated to recognizing new and on-the-rise artists. She's amassed a number of followers but this was the first time she had sold something.

"I'm still in shock about how all of this happened."

"God's moving."

Thea looked at Killian and smiled, nodding her head,

"He sure is."

"This is just the beginning," Atlas said, "I'm sure of it."

"Couldn't agree more," Makenna said, stealing her brother's words from a moment ago,

She leaned towards the centre and lifted her dessert bowl,

"Cheers?"

Everyone leaned in, smiling, they raised their dessert bowls and clinked their glasses.

"Cheers." They said, smiling,

After they'd all taken a spoonful of ice cream, Makenna said,

"It sure is a wonderful night."

"You've been holding out on us." Thea narrowed her eyes at her and Makenna scoffed with a smile on her face,

The conversation picked up and Atlas sat back and watched his sister beaming. She was happy and that made him happy. The last time he'd felt his content was dinner at the Adams' and now it was with two of the Adams' company that he and his sister enjoyed.

He couldn't deny that there was something about their family that brought him joy. Before he'd come to Tacoma, he couldn't remember the last time he'd been in the company of people who brought him anything other than anxiety and drained his social battery. But now, he felt his cup starting to fill up to the brim, it was overflowing with peace and contentment.

He looked to his left to find Makenna smiling at something his sister was saying.

Does she have any idea what a treasure she is?

He wondered.

He'd noticed a massive change in her as well as in Thea. He couldn't help but feel like it had all worked out the way he'd hoped. Thea was stronger and Makenna was starting to open up. He looked at Killian and was glad that his sister was dating someone who respected others, especially women, and was motivated by a goal.

"I don't think I officially apologized," Atlas said and they all stopped talking to look at him,

Atlas looked between Thea and Killian,

"I'm sorry I tried to break you up. Not that you need my blessing or anything, but I'm glad my sister has you."

Killian wasn't sure what to say, but he nodded,

"That means a lot."

Makenna looked from Thea to Killian and finally to Atlas. Thea and Killian began muttering something to each other, then Atlas looked at Makenna to find her looking at him.

Something is changing.

Makenna couldn't help thinking as she looked at him look at her,

Something has changed.

Atlas was sure of it. He just had to be patient and let things unfold naturally.