Noah's Adventure - 23. Rewind and Reset

Happy Groundhog Day! (If you're in the States).
 
Based on this chapter, I figured today was appropriate, given the movie Groundhog Day.
 
Time for a little R&R 

I sat there, trying to digest the story Grandma had chosen to tell.

Uncle Matt had gone pale halfway through it. I watched him recoil at certain parts, like the memories physically hurt. I’d always known Uncle Brody was close with Uncle Nathan, but I never understood how the bond formed with Uncle Matt. Now I did.

Second—
I still couldn’t believe Grandpa had crushed someone’s nuts.

I mean… that took a special kind of rage.

Third—and honestly the worst—what the hell had Uncle Mark been thinking, recording everything and then selling it? No wonder my maternal side of the family was universally despised. That level of betrayal didn’t just stain a name—it poisoned it.

Shiloh, on the other hand, didn’t flinch.

Didn’t blink.

Didn’t even look surprised.

Maybe, in some strange way, knowing my family was just as messed up as his helped him. Maybe it made him feel less alone.

No family is perfect—no matter how polished they look from the outside. Anyone who tells you otherwise is lying.

“We need to head home,” Grandma sighed. “Court is being postponed indefinitely.”

“Not so fast.”

Miles appeared out of nowhere, hands in his pockets like this was a casual visit.

“Grandpa T,” he said, nodding to Great-Uncle Tristan, “the elders wanted you to know they approved the plan.”

The plan.

Of course there was a plan.

“What plan?” I asked.

Miles glanced at me like I should already know. “It’s complicated,” he said, then shrugged. “But also not.”

“Well,” Great-Uncle Tristan said, straightening, “I suppose it’s time to start.”

Miles nodded.

Before I could ask another question, a bright light flared outside the window. Not blinding—just wrong. Then came a flash.

Everything felt normal.

Which was how I knew something was very, very off.

Shiloh wasn’t beside me.

I looked at the clock.

7:00 a.m.

Again.

“Grandma?” I called.

No answer.

I walked the room, my chest tightening. Empty. No signs of anyone.

My phone buzzed.

A text from Shiloh.

Good luck in court today ❤️

My stomach dropped.

“No. No, no, no.”

I pinched my arm hard.

Yeah. Definitely awake.

The hotel door swung open, and in walked Grayson and Grace like nothing was unusual.

“Good morning, Noah,” Grace said cheerfully. “You’re up early. Most teenagers sleep until the last possible second.”

“I brought bagels,” Grayson added, setting a bag on the table.

I stared at them.

“I’ve officially entered an alternate reality,” I muttered.

“You’re not,” Grayson said with a smirk.

Grace stepped into the adjoining room to take a call.

Grayson leaned closer and lowered his voice. “Time was reset.”

My breath caught.

“That only happens when absolutely necessary.”

“So,” I said carefully, “my mother is alive.”

“For now,” he replied, handing me a bagel with cream cheese.

“Where is everyone else?”

“Your grandmother and uncle are with Tristan and Little B. Once we realized how far the plan had gone, the elders reset time to stop it.”

“No explosion,” I said hopefully.

“The courthouse still exists,” Grayson confirmed.

“And Shiloh?”

“He wasn’t present during the initial outcome. He’s back at Black Hawk. He won’t remember any of it.”

“What about the rest of the world?”

“It’ll be like it never happened.”

I frowned. “Then why do I remember?”

Grayson met my eyes. “Because your memory can’t be wiped.”

“Well,” I said flatly, “that sucks.”

“So I still have to face my mother?”

“Nope,” he said, grinning.

Grace re-entered the room, looking puzzled. “That was strange. Judge Hopkins recused himself early this morning without explanation. Judge Brennan dismissed the case with prejudice.”

“What does that mean?” I asked.

“It means it’s over,” Grace said. “They can’t refile. Ever.”

I let out a breath I didn’t realize I’d been holding.

“Another win for you,” Grayson said.

“I don’t like winning this way,” Grace replied. “I prefer wiping the floor with my opponent.”

“So what now?” I asked.

“I’m heading to my office to fortify Noah’s trust,” Grace said, grabbing her bag.

As she left, the door opened again.

Grandma entered, followed by Uncle Matt, Little B, and both Tristans.

“Interesting solution,” Grayson commented.

Little B crossed the room and climbed straight into my lap. I wrapped my arms around him instinctively. He was asleep almost instantly.

“He’ll be out for a while,” Grandma said. “That took a lot out of him.”

I looked down at him. He looked peaceful. Finally.

“Time for the bad news,” Grandma said lightly. “Your mother, grandfather, stepfather, uncle, their lawyer, and the corrupt judge are meeting a… sticky fate today.”

I swallowed.

“I need you to understand,” she added, “this had to happen.”

“As long as I never have to deal with my mother again,” I said quietly, “I’m okay with whatever.”

Grandma studied me for a long moment, exchanging a look with Uncle Matt. Definitely telepathic. Definitely about me.

While holding Little B, I texted Shiloh.

Case is over. For real. I’m okay.

“Grandma,” I said, “can I take Shiloh on a real date when we get back?”

“A real date?” she teased. “As opposed to a fake one?”

“I want normal,” I said. “At least for a little while.”

The room burst into laughter.

“There’s no such thing as normal,” Uncle Matt said.

“And,” Grayson added, “you still have the Senator to deal with.”

The laughter died instantly.

“Buzzkill,” Uncle Matt muttered.

Miles appeared again. “Grandpa T. Everything’s set.”

“Good,” Tristan said. “Make sure it’s carried out exactly as planned. No unintended casualties.”

I tightened my hold on Little B.

They were definitely talking about my mother.

And whatever they had planned…
I wasn’t sure I wanted to know.