54. An Afternoon of Preparations or I Am The Luna Chapter 132 By Moonlight Muse
ZAIA.
I stare out at the passing streetlights as I make my way to the safe house, one of the few places that remained untouched after the final battle.
How am I supposed to feel after living life hurdle after hurdle, heartbreak after heartbreak? It feels surreal, even with the weeks having gone by…
But although the threat is over, it’s been replaced with other obstacles and the reminder of our losses remains, like an open wound healing slowly.
I close my eyes, reminiscing on the moment that Sebastian had turned to Zion and asked if we could bring Jai back…
(FLASHBACK)
“Son… Uncle Jai is hurt, let’s heal him as we did Sia,” Sebastian says as he kneels in front of Zion, who looks up at me before turning to Jai’s body.
“But… Daddy… Uncle Jai isn’t hurt… he’s gone.” Zion says, his eyes sparkling with tears as he hangs his head. “I’m sorry.”
Sebastian looks broken as he shakes his head and pulls Zion into his arms. “No, son, I’m sorry for asking.”
“I didn’t know… but I can undo the pain .” he whispers, looking at his Dad.
I frown as I hurry over and kneel beside him. “What do you mean, Zion?”
“I can undo all the pain, then no one has to remember this,” he says, spreading his arms. “Only me.” The smile that follows breaks my heart.
“No, my love, we won’t forget what happened because everything that has happened is a lesson that we all needed to learn. Even if it was the hard way.” I respond, cupping his cheeks and knowing that I will stand by that.
(END OF FLASHBACK)
It was a decision that not everyone agreed on at first… Valerie had asked if time was reversed, what would happen to Jai, to which Zion had sadly shaken his head and said uncle would have had to go home to the goddess, anyway. But it would be a different way.
Aran had asked that if that was possible, how would the ones who had committed crimes be punished, to which my little brave hero had replied that they would be punished and that the goddess would make it make sense!
It was enough. He was a child who was saying he had the gift to make people forget, but it could also be a curse… I don’t want anyone to ever learn of his ability. I want him to live the life he deserves, just like any other child. He does not deserve the weight on his tiny shoulders until he is old enough to carry it.
“We’re home Alpha.” My new driver, Simon, says as he parks up and walks around to open the door.
I get out, my hand naturally going to my stomach for a moment before I walk towards the house, as he unloads the groceries from the trunk.
Today is Aran’s birthday, which either no one remembers, or no one cares about, however, I thought it was the perfect excuse for everyone to gather and perhaps make amends. Heal the damaged relations between one another.
Once, long ago, Dad and Aran were friends-now without their manipulative wives in their lives, perhaps that is something they can work on.
Valerie could use Atticus here, and I am so grateful that he has been making an effort with her. He truly is a gem.
The children could use some happiness around them too.
Taking off my heels, I slip my feet into some slippers and straight away head to the kitchen, ready to prepare for the evening. I have a few hours before everyone arrives.
“Now, where are my little helpers?” I ask, planting my hands on my hips, and glancing around. I hear their little giggles as they jump out from behind the counter.
“Here we are!” they shout before bursting into giggles. Sia is even more hyper than Zion, just proving how much her health had been affecting her.
I feign surprise as I step back, making them giggle again.
“We scared you Mommy, didn’t we!”. Zion says.
“You both did! Now here is…” I rummage in one of the grocery bags and pull out a few packets of balloons. ” Your first job.”
They both stare at me with excitement, hurrying over and grabbing them from me.
“Oh balloons…” Zion says with approval.
“Yes, we blow them all!” Sia says. “I can huff and puff like a strong wolf now!”
My little angel.
“Yes, you can, so how about you both go blow these up?” I suggest, handing them two small pumps.
“But Mommy, we don’t know how to tie the balloons,” Zion says, a little disheartened.
“It doesn’t matter. I’m sure your father is lurking around somewhere. He’ll help and maybe it’ll keep him out of the kitchen.” I say. That man needed an excuse to be around, and I can’t deny that it is hard when he is.
They nod fervently, bundling their items in their arms, and hurry out of the room.
I smile at their excitement and hope it keeps Sebastian busy, too. I know what I need to do, and what I have to do, but I can’t deny that facing it won’t be easy.
I switch on some instrumental music, wash my hands and get down to work, hearing the children laughing in the other room.
Life will still throw us many hurdles. We will face many challenges, but the normalcy of living without fear of something happening feels like a dream come true.
I’m ready, ready to play with my children, send them to school, be here when they arrive home, cook for them, and put them to bed every night.
I’m ready to be there for Valerie, to help her heal and move on from the pain of losing Jai. Something that will always remain with all of us. I’m ready to be there for when she’s able to move on, go out with her, be silly, maybe spa nights, or movie nights. Anything she wants. I’m ready to be there for her.
I’m ready to see Dad become free and be himself instead of being forced to do things by another.
I’m ready to help Aran and Sebastian mend the broken bridge between them, to become closer than ever and to understand one another wholeheartedly by respecting one another.
I’m ready to see everyone around me live their best lives.
I’m ready for it all.
One moment, one step, and one day at a time.
Staring in the mirror, I look at my reflection. I’ve applied some makeup tonight, a touch of glitter on my eyes and some gloss on my lips. I’ve pinned my loose curls back and put on some earrings.
I don’t remember the last time I’ve just been able to take a moment to relax and get dressed up. Doing something so normal is relaxing.
I close my bedroom door after me and almost bump into Valerie. She’s wearing a dusky cerise-coloured dress, like myself, it’s the first time she’s stepped away from black.
We stare at one another before I hug her tightly.
“You look beautiful.” I compliment her with a small smile.
My beautiful Val… you will live on and thrive.
“Thanks, you too Zaia… you will have everyone’s attention tonight,” she teases, as she moves back and gives me a small smile.
Sebastian has made no attempt to mask his emotions and I’m very aware of the way he’s always looking at me…
I’m ok… as long as he keeps his distance and respects my decision. Deep down my emotions are a storm. I know I love him, but at the same time, he has hurt me regardless of the situations he was in.
“Shall we go?” she says, “the children have been impatient for a while.”
“Yes, let’s,” I say, I had gotten them ready before myself and they were downstairs with Sebastian and Atticus. I had heard him reply not long ago.
Valerie leads the way down and once again I wonder what the goddess’s words to her were. She had spoken to us all that night, even though we have kept what she said to ourselves.
I have a strong feeling, even Zade was spoken to.
“Val, you look beautiful,” Atticus says, as he takes her hand before she reaches the bottom and gives her a warm hug.
She hugs him back, and it makes me so happy to see the bond they have formed.
“No point in saying you look good, don’t you always?” Valerie says, making him smirk before his gaze flicks to me.
He smiles faintly, “Hey Red, you look beautiful, but that’s no surprise.” He says while Valerie smiles as she steps away.
“Thanks. You look great too,” I reply. He’s dressed in tan pants, with a belt and a white shirt.
“I’ll go check on the… cake!” she says. Cake? The cake is ready and set to go…
‘Really? Is that all you could come up with?” I say through the mind link, amused.
‘Well, the sexual tension from my brother was suffocating, and it’s ick soooo. I can’t help but smile at that, and Atticus cocks a brow as he offers me his hand.
I’m glad she’s addressing him as her brother now. I love the bond they have created.
“The mind link feels like a blessing and a torment,” Atticus says.
“Well, some things aren’t for you men to hear,” I respond as he pulls me in for a hug. He gives me a gentle squeeze before he lets go of me after a moment.
That’s another thing… Since that night, I feel we’ve all changed in a way, and I see it in Atticus too. The way he smiles at me, despite the emotions in his eyes, I also see acceptance. Acceptance that we will never be.
“So does the birthday boy know this is all for him?” Atticus asks.
“Birthday boy?” Sebastian’s deep, sexy voice comes.
Atticus moves back, and we both turn to Sebastian who is standing there all in black, looking drop-dead gorgeous, the sleeves of his black shirt are pushed up, and he has a few buttons open that show off two chains.
His gaze snaps to me and he makes no attempt to hide the way his eyes rake over me. It feels like he’s undressing me with them, and I suddenly feel extremely exposed under that burning gaze…
