Grandmother’s mouth curls into a grin. “We’re all so proud of you, Camilla. A Lewis has always won the diplomatic seat on the Senate, but never by an eighty percent margin!” The room erupts in applause. “The people of Purgatory agree with me by a landslide. My Senate seat could not be held by a better quasi.” She offers the cake to a lanky boy with short brown hair and a boar’s tail. “Will you set this in the conference room, Mortimer?”

“Yes, Sanctus.” He lifts the cake from her arms and walks toward the back rooms of the office.

Grandmother turns to Tim, her smile melting into an unreadable look. “You brought someone with you.”

“Yes, I have.” Mom turns to the ghoul beside her. “Tim, meet my family.” She gestures around the room. “Family, meet Tim. He’s joining the staff as my personal assistant.”

Sanctus eyes him carefully. “We’ve never had a non-Lewis family member work in the diplomacy offices.”

“Well, that’s something to change. If we’re to interact with other realms, we need to start right here, in this office.”

“Excellent point.” Grandmother nods softly. “Tim, let me give you the grand tour.” She gestures across a group of men and women of many ages and sizes, all of them with chestnut hair, amber skin, and great chocolate-brown eyes. “Over here, we have Sophia, Isabel, and Martin. They ran Camilla’s election campaign. By the window, you’ll find Fortus, Quin, and Felix; they manage office operations. Coco, Seina, Arturo, and Hugo are in the back conference room helping themselves to cake. They take care of correspondence and requests. And finally we have Tanis and Bea in finance.”

Tim’s jaw falls a little loose. “I’ll never remember everyone.”

Grandmother frowns. “That’s quite unfortunate. There’ll be a test later.” Her tail whips ominously behind her.

A bead of black sweat trickles down Tim’s cheek. “Oh, no. I’m completely unprepared.”

Mom sets her hand on Tim’s arm. “Don’t worry. Sanctus is teasing.”

Tim exhales. “Ah, I see.”

A girl about four years old steps up to Grandmother and pulls on her pant leg. “You forgot me.” She’s a little wisp whose chestnut hair hangs in ringlets like Cissy’s. Her long black tail reaches upwards, winding gently about Grandmother’s hand. She’s adorable. I imagine acres of cousins, aunts, and uncles hidden around Purgatory. Cute little moppets that ask me to sing stupid songs. Older relatives who may have some awesome advice on how to land the best service after graduation. Men and women Mom’s age who know secret family recipes. My tummy feels warm with Lewis love.

This. Is. Awesome.

Sanctus scoops the girl up into her arms. “How could I ever forget you, Dani? What’s your title again?”

“Vice President of Fun.”

“That’s right. And does our Vice President have any plans for today?”