I Am The Luna

54. An Afternoon of Preparations or | Am The Luna Chapter 132 By Moonlight Muse

ZAIA.

| stare out at the passing streetlights as | make my way to the safe house, one of the few places that remained

untouched after the final battle.

How am | 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.

| 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

atbefore 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 | can undo the pain .” he whispers, looking at his Dad.

| frown as | 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.” | respond, cupping his cheeks and knowing that | will stand by that.

(END OF FLASHBACK)

It was a decision that not everyone agreed on at first... Valerie had asked if twas reversed, what would

happen to Jai, to which Zion had sadly shaken his head and said uncle would have had to go hto 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... | don’t want anyone to ever learn of his ability. | 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 hAlpha.” My new driver, Simon, says as he parks up and walks around to open the door.

| get out, my hand naturally going to my stomach for a moment before | 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, | 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 | am so grateful that he has been making an effort with her. He truly is a gem.

The children could use shappiness around them too.

Taking off my heels, | slip my feet into sslippers and straight away head to the kitchen, ready to prepare for

the evening. | have a few hours before everyone arrives.

“Now, where are my little helpers?” | ask, planting my hands on my hips, and glancing around. | 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.

| feign surprise as | step back, making them giggle again.

“We scared you Mommy, didn’t we!”. Zion says.

“You both did! Now here is...” | rummage in one of the grocery bags and pull out a few packets of balloons. ” Your

first job.”

They both stare atwith 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?” | 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.” | say. That man needed an excuse to be around, and | 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.

| smile at their excitement and hope it keeps Sebastian busy, too. | know what | need to do, and what | have to

do, but I can’t deny that facing it won't be easy.

| switch on sinstrumental 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 ctrue.

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 becfree 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 beccloser than ever and to

understand one another wholeheartedly by respecting one another.

I'm ready to see everyone aroundlive their best lives.

I'm ready for it all.

One moment, one step, and one day at a time.

Staring in the mirror, | look at my reflection. I've applied smakeup tonight, a touch of glitter on my eyes and

sgloss on my lips. I've pinned my loose curls back and put on searrings.

| don’t remember the last tI've just been able to take a moment to relax and get dressed up. Doing

something so normal is relaxing.

| close my bedroom door afterand almost bump into Valerie. She’s wearing a dusky cerise-coloured dress,

like myself, it's the first tshe’s stepped away from black.

We stare at one another before | hug her tightly.

“You look beautiful.” | 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