Clockworkers
Page 34
Akida leaned closer to her and whispered, “That’s a little creepy.”
Sam shrugged. “I’ve always been horrible at this kind of thing.”
“Yes, you have been. But at least you’re brave enough to keep trying.”
“It’s not about bravery,” Sam said. “I miss you, Aki. I miss you and it’s the first time I’ve ever missed anyone that wasn’t dead. And it scares the hell out of me that I’m this vulnerable, but the thing that scares me most is that I screwed things up between us and I can never have you back.”
Akida leaned back and his eyes went wide. “That is quite an admission from the great and powerful Samantha Chablon.”
“I’m not so great,” Sam said, “and look around...I’m not that powerful anymore either. I’m just a doughnut girl now, and I’d be totally happy with that if I could just be your doughnut girl.”
“You know,” he said, “I hated you for a while.”
“I know,” Sam said, her voice little more than a whisper.
“I hated your pride,” Akida said. “I hated your arrogance, and most of all I hated how you corrupted the legacy your father left you.”
Sam wiped her eyes. “I know.”
“But,” Akida said. “When I look at you now, I see someone different. Now you’ve got something I never thought I’d see in you.”
“And what is that?” Sam asked.
“Humility,” Akida said.
“That’s a good thing?”
“For you it is,” Akida said. “It may be the first time for you, but at least now I know you’re capable of it.”
“And what does that tell you?” Sam asked.
Akida thought for a moment. “I guess it tells me that now you know what’s really important in life. Maybe you didn’t before. But now I’m sure you do.”
“Let’s start over,” Sam said.
“No,” Akida said, “let’s finish what we started.”
He stepped forward and embraced her. Sam tucked her head under his chin and hugged him back. It was a simple gesture, but it meant so much. It was the first time she’d touched anyone in months, and it felt so right. Nothing ever felt as right as it did when Akida was with her.
“I’m sorry,” Sam said.
“I know,” Akida said.
“I’ve tried to make amends,” Sam said. “I’ve done it with the Kith, and my employees, and those poor people Hax took. But I don’t know how to make it all up to you.”
“That’s easy,” Akida said. “Throw me a great Christmas party this year.”
Sam leaned back and looked into his smiling eyes. “Seriously?”
Akida laughed. “Yes. I’ve always wanted a typical western Christmas. I’ve never experienced it, you know? But I’ve often seen it on film. I want a tree, and gifts, and stockings and candy canes. And I want some kids around who can enjoy it all—neighborhood kids to eat cookies on Christmas Eve, and we can tell them stories of Santa Claus and his elves.”
“No,” Sam said. “No elves.”
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