"Here we say goodbye, dear friend," I said, bumping my fist into his.
"Never say goodbye, X-man," Mark replied dryly, with a twinkle in his eye.
I smirked. "You're right. Besides, we'll still meet in a hunt one of these days."
He then turned his attention to Anya, and I watched as she smiled at him and bowed her head humbly. "Thank you so much for letting me stay here these past few days, sir," she said softly.
Mark looked at her with a comfortable gaze, and his smile broadened even more. "It's alright, Anya. Don't forget what I told you last night, alright?"
Anya shifted uncomfortably from one foot to another, stealing a peek at Mark and glancing at her feet. Mark noticed her unease and took a step closer to her. He placed two hands on her shoulders and forced her to look up at him.
"I meant what I said. You are welcome here anytime, Anya. Well, not really anytime because I won't be around all the time, but you're welcome whenever you touch that gate and it dings in the way that indicates my presence here," he said softly, his voice gentle.
I saw a softness in Mark that I would never have associated with him, and it made me smile. Anya nodded in affirmation, and judging from the smile on her face, she was happy with the arrangement.
Mark patted her hair in a way that made me wonder if he was aware that he was doing it. "Also, I'll be coming to visit you in your new home. I'll keep an eye on you all, and you all are free to visit too."
"But you don't know where my new home will be," Anya said uncertainly.
I knew that Mark knew where her new home would be, but instead of giving a straight answer, he shrugged. "I'm a hunter, dear. It doesn't matter where it is; I'll still find you."
Anya nodded again, looking more relaxed, and beamed at Mark. He returned her smile with one of his own, and I felt a sense of warmth in the room between them.
I couldn't help but wonder what the force was between Mark and Anya. It wasn't the first time that question had plagued me. I had noticed the way they looked at each other, the unspoken words between them, and the connection that was undeniable.
After that, Anya and I walked outside, and we said our last goodbye to Mark before we started away.
As we drove back to Jasamina's cottage, Anya sitting quietly in the passenger seat next to me. I could sense her nervousness as we approached our destination, and I wished there was something more I could do to help ease her fears.
When we finally arrived, I parked the car and turned to Anya, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Are you ready?"
Anya nodded hesitantly, her eyes darting around the area as she took in her surroundings. I tried to see the cottage through her eyes; small and quaint, with a small garden out front and a cozy-looking interior.
As we walked towards the entrance, I could feel Anya's nerves increasing, and I knew I had to do something to help calm her down. Taking her hand in mine, I gave it a reassuring squeeze and led her towards the door.
Upon entering the house, Anya froze in place, her eyes wide with shock. I could tell she was overwhelmed by the sight of Jasamina and Tanner snuggled up on the sofa, her baby nestled between them. It was a scene that was both heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time, and I couldn't help but feel a lump form in my throat.
Jasamina and Tanner turned to look at us, their faces a mixture of curiosity and surprise. As they took in the sight of Anya standing there nervously, I could feel the tension in the room rising.
But I wasn't going to let that happen. Taking Anya's hand once again, I strode confidently towards Jasamina and Tanner, determined to put Anya at ease.
"This is Anya," I said, introducing her to the couple. "Anya, this is Jasamina and Tanner, and Little Jaime."
Jasamina smiled warmly, her eyes kind and inviting. "It's nice to meet you, Anya," she said, stepping forward to take Anya's hand in hers. "Welcome to our home."
Anya's face broke into a shy smile as she returned Jasamina's handshake. The two of them stood there for a moment, sizing each other up and exchanging pleasantries.
As I watched the two of them, I relaxed , seeing the warm and generous way Jasamina treated her. Anya would be in good hands under her care.
Eventually, we all settled into the living room, Jasamina and Tanner snuggled up on the sofa with their baby, while Anya and I sat across from them in a pair of cozy armchairs.
As we chatted and caught up, I couldn't help but notice how quickly Anya was beginning to relax. Her shoulders were no longer tense, and she even laughed at one of Tanner's dry jokes.
It was a beautiful sight to see, and I felt a sense of pride and satisfaction knowing that I had played a small part in helping Anya find a new home.
JASAMINA