Ella, Max, and McCree
She liked the way he smiled. It caused a few crinkles near his eyes, more so in a way that made her want to smile, too. He didn’t do it nearly enough but she was happy that he smiled around her and Max, at least. Her son reached for him and Ella didn’t think twice as she passed him to Jesse.
“The Dome is not for us to reason or explain,” she replied easily. “But the lives we choose to live here are our own and I am grateful beyond words that Maximilian and myself can count on your friendship and support.” There was a part of her that wished she could give Jesse what the Dome wanted, but she wasn’t capable of that. He didn’t seem to hold that against her, though she wouldn’t have blamed him if he had.
Ella gave his hand a squeeze. “I could not have enjoyed my birthday if you had not come to celebrate with us,” she said quietly. Not quietly enough for those with supernatural hearing to not notice, but quietly enough that their conversation was private. “You are an important person to me.” That was as close as she could say it right now. Perhaps by next year, it would change.