(The Skyshard Residence, Amanda’s POV)
*Giggles*
*Childish Laughter*
Artificial sunlight streamed softly through the crystal-paneled windows of the Skyshard Residence, scattering golden specks of warmth across the marble floor as laughter echoed faintly through the room.
The Skyshard residence, usually quiet and dignified, felt alive this afternoon, its silence broken by the playful shrieks of two little boys tumbling across the velvet carpet.
Caleb, the elder of the two, stood triumphantly atop a pile of cushions, his dark hair tousled while his gray eyes, so unmistakably like his father’s, gleamed with mischief.
Below him sat little Mairon, only two years old, his brown curls bouncing as he clapped his tiny hands together, while a grin stretched on his tiny face from ear to ear.
His eyes, the same soft brown as Amanda’s, sparkled with delight, though his nose and that cheeky smile bore the mark of his father.
"Mother, mother! Please tell us the story of Father and Grandpa Ben!" Caleb demanded, puffing his chest proudly as though he were about to lead an army.
Amanda, seated nearby on a plush chair with a book in hand, looked up with an indulgent sigh. "Again? Caleb, sweetheart, you’ve heard that story more times than I can count. How about I tell you a new story today? The story of how your mumma used to make rice cakes back on Earth?"
"Nooo.... I don’t wanna hear that, I want to hear about father and grandpa Ben!" he insisted, tugging gently at her dress, while Mairon, barely understanding the conversation, simply echoed with a cheerful, "Pwease momma, Dada"
Amanda shook her head with a helpless smile, closing her book and setting it aside. "Oh, you two," she murmured, pretending to think for a moment before giving in. "Alright then, but only because my two brave warriors asked so nicely."
"Yay!" both boys exclaimed in unison, clapping their hands and bouncing with excitement.
Amanda chuckled and reached forward, gathering them both into her lap as the sunlight from the artificial lamps installed outside the windows bathed them in a warm glow.
She brushed a stray strand of hair from her face, her voice softening into a familiar, melodic tone that made even ordinary words sound magical.
"Once upon a time," she began, "when your father was a young boy just like you, Caleb, he lived deep inside a great jungle with Grandpa Ben."
"Was it scary?" Caleb whispered, eyes wide.
"Oh, very scary," Amanda said with mock seriousness, wiggling her fingers as if summoning the spirits of the forest. "The trees were so tall that even the sky couldn’t see past them, and at night, the forest spirits would whisper secrets only the brave could hear."
"Boo!" Mairon shouted suddenly, throwing his tiny arms up.
*Gasp*
Amanda gasped playfully, clutching her heart. "Oh dear! It’s the forest spirit!" she said dramatically, and both boys burst into giggles as she tickled them mercilessly, their laughter filling the room.
Once the laughter subsided, she continued, her tone gentle again.
"In that jungle, there lived a big bad group of mountain lions," she said, lowering her voice to a whisper, "and they troubled all the other animals. The deer were too scared to drink water, the rabbits hid in their burrows all day, and even the monkeys stopped swinging from the trees."
"What happened next?" Caleb asked, leaning forward with wide-eyed curiosity, even though he knew exactly what came next.
"Well," Amanda said, smiling softly, "one day, all the animals gathered and went to your father. They begged him to help, because they knew he was the only one brave enough to stand up to the mountain lions."
"And did he?"
"Oh yes," she said, nodding proudly. "He stood tall, just like you do now, Caleb, and said, ’Don’t be afraid. I’ll protect the jungle.’ Then he went into the heart of the forest, where the mountain lions lived."
"Rawrrr!" Mairon roared, baring his tiny teeth as Amanda laughed.
"That’s right, Mairon! The lions went ’Rawr!’" she said, pretending to cower, "but your father wasn’t scared at all. He fought bravely with his dagger in hand and sent them all running far, far away!"
"Pew! Pow! Shing!" Caleb added enthusiastically, swinging an imaginary dagger through the air as Mairon followed with a delighted, "Bam!"
Amanda giggled, hugging them both close. "Exactly like that," she said warmly. "And from that day on, all the animals in the jungle called your father their protector. They built a little throne for him made of vines and flowers and crowned him their guardian.
The squirrels would bring him nuts and berries, the monkeys would bring him fruits, while the deer brought him flowers.
And then they lived happily ever after...."
For a moment, the story hung in the air like a dream, wrapping the room in soft nostalgia and warmth.
Amanda looked down at her sons, and saw Caleb’s face to be full of pride, while Mairon’s being one of wonder, as she felt her heart swell with a bittersweet joy.
She wished Leo could have been here to see this..... That he could enjoy watching the kids grow up like she did.
However, the fact that he couldn’t be here remained a bitter pill that she was forced to swallow, for she knew the dangers that came with inviting him home with that unstable aura.
"When I grow up," Caleb said suddenly, puffing up his chest again, "I’ll become just like Father!"
Amanda smiled, brushing a small tear forming in the corner of her eyes aside, as she said, "You already have his courage, my love."
"And I, Mama..." Mairon began, stumbling adorably over his words as Amanda leaned closer to hear.
"I... I Mama!" he declared proudly, throwing his arms around her neck, as he tried to convey that he wanted to be just like his mother.
"Hahaha—"
Amanda laughed, hugging him tightly as Caleb joined in, wrapping his small arms around them both.
The three of them stayed like that for a while, their laughter mingling with the sound of the distant breeze, the artificial sunlight dancing over their faces.
And for that fleeting, perfect moment, the Skyshard Residence, home of the lord of the land, felt like the simplest and happiest place in the universe.
Just like the home of every child was supposed to be.