Pure Moonlight (closed)

[heartofcourage]

"She seemed younger than 26." Selena said softly as Kreston sat up and commented on the heather that had spread around the house. "My Da has been caring for her. Making sure that she still remembers us and that she knows everything that is going on. He seemed...at peace with the things that had happened in his life."

 

[KieranSoares]

Kreston nodded slowly and offered her a small smile. "Maybe your mother was right, then. Maybe there was some good in him."

"Selena...?" Vincenzo murmured as he slowly woke out of his half-sleep.

 

[heartofcourage]

Selena turned at the sound of her name, watching as Vincenzo woke out of his exhausted state. She saw the concern in his dark gaze, looking at her as if he thought she might surely never wake up. She tried to turn, but felt the weakness that had settled into her bones.

"What happened?" She asked as Kreston helped her to sit up, supporting her until she was comfortable.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Well, for starters..." Vincenzo murmured as he sat up straight and found his back was aching from sitting in the uncomfortable position so long. "You're lucky you didn't get pneumonia. I think this must've started with some kind of panic attack and turned into your body just giving out. You may have the same sickness as your mother... but I can't make a proper diagnosis yet."

 

[heartofcourage]

The same sickness as her mother. She had watched Kitty suffer her entire life with the illness and she suddenly felt herself grow frightened at the prospect of having it as well. She knew that whatever happened, her family would take care of her but it seemed like a long road ahead of her.

"My head already feels better." Selena said softly as her step father stood over her. "It was aching fiercely before all of this happened."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Well you've had a good long rest without stress. That would do wonders for anyone." Vincenzo leaned in to kiss her forehead. "If you're feeling up to it in the morning, I'd like to give you a proper checkup."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I'd like to sleep some more, but I know Ma would probably like to see me." Selena said softly as Vincenzo leaned in to kiss her forehead. "And Luna and Ruben. Probably my brothers too. I guess I won't sleep until the entire family has been in here."

 

[KieranSoares]

"They're all asleep too, cara mia. You rest as long as you like. We'll all work on your schedule." Vincenzo gave her a smile and left the room. Kreston unconsciously hugged Selena a little closer. Losing Luna for months, having a close call with Ruben on the journey to rescue her, and now Selena's condition in the span of a year weighed heavily on his heart and shoulders.

 

[heartofcourage]

"It's not your fault, Kres." Selena murmured as she snuggled up against his warm side. "I should have listened when you told me to take things easy. I guess I'm just too stubborn for my own good sometimes."

She was quiet for a long moment after that, dozing slightly before she woke a few moments later. "My Da was there too. He's been caring for Krestina. She seemed very happy having him there."

 

[KieranSoares]

"As long as she's happy..." Kreston murmured. "Maybe she softened your father's heart. I'll bet she could've done that to anyone with just a look."

 

[heartofcourage]

"You don't think I've lost my mind?" Selena asked, looking up into his warm gaze. "Most people don't see their dead father or their dead daughter."

 

[KieranSoares]

"You slipped away from us, love. Who am I to deny that you saw them on the divide between our world and the next? My people have always believed in the dead contacting the living in times of need... And I've dreamt of the dead in hard times. How can I be skeptical?"

 

[heartofcourage]

"I'm happy I saw her." Selena murmured softly as she got comfortable against Kreston's chest again and let herself fall back into an exhausted sleep.

 

[KieranSoares]

No one pressed Selena too much about talking or seeing everyone over the next few days, but one morning she awoke to Brogan at her side, stroking her hair gently and soothingly. He'd done it many times as a young boy after Selena's run-ins with Tamblin, especially after defending Boar. It was her little brother's way of soothing her and offering his love and comfort.

Seeing her eyes open, he paused. "Morning, lass," he murmured.

 

[heartofcourage]

"You know you don't have to protect me anymore." Selena said as she watched her brother stroke her hair. "Those monsters went away a long time ago."

She didn't move to make him stop, however. It gave him comfort as much as it gave her comfort and she was happy that he still remembered those moments.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Just because th' old ones went away doesn' mean there ain' new ones," Brogan murmured, leaning down to kiss her forehead. "And little brother's job is still t'take care o' his big sister. Now tha' I actually can, I intend to."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I saw Da." Selena murmured as Brogan kissed her forehead. "In the mist. He was taking care of Krestina. I still don't know if I can trust him and love him, but I know that he saw things for what they were in his final moments."

She was quiet for a moment after that as she looked up into her brother's dark gaze. "Vincenzo doesn't know what's wrong with me. I think that should scare me, shouldn't it?"

 

[KieranSoares]

Brogan listened to her talk about Tamblin without any comment. Only he and Kitty had seen the man's last moments, which was why Brogan didn't doubt what Selena said. But when she asked if she should be afraid, Brogan gave her an honest answer. "I don' know... He still doesn' really know what's wrong with Ma either, but I don' think ye've got th'same thing, hones'ly. He can treat ya, though, and take good care o' you if y'let 'im."

 

[heartofcourage]

Selena nodded as he told her that Vincenzo could take care of her as long as she let him. She knew that her step father would go through hell to make sure that all of his children were safe and cared for. It was a promise that he had made to their mother many years ago.

"Did you have any luck with Jan?" She asked him softly. "I know...I still don't trust him, but he and Luna truly do care for each other. Who am I to tear apart two people in love?"

 

[KieranSoares]

"Jan's a good lad," Brogan said slowly with a nod. "He's been holdin' up yer little family, love. Ruben's been pretty torn-up, so Jan's been holdin' down th'lumber camp for 'im, but 'e's managed t'always 'ave energy fer Luna an' helpin' t'keep Kreston goin'. I think it's time I sent tha' letter t'Kjotva about a proper pardon, aye?"

 

[heartofcourage]

"I guess so. I can't believe my little girl is already grown." Selena murmured as she looked up at her brother. "It seems like yesterday that I was cuddling with her by the fire. I wished so many times that time would simply stand still for a while and let me enjoy my moments with her."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Oh, trust me... I know." Brogan had felt the same for years about his own children, especially Annie and Kate. "But now tha' she's grown, ye get t'share somethin' new with 'er and see 'er be her own woman. It's been a thrill t'watch Annie come into 'er own, and it will be with Kate too. Luna's well on 'er way, an' she's got everythin' she needs t'be successful an' happy. Tha's all we as parents can really ask for fer our li'l lasses an' lads. She'll be alright, because y'did a good job with 'er."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Kreston told me to find a hobby. All I want is another cub to hold and love." She murmured softly, looking up at her brother. "It's all that I can think about. I know it would fix the feelings that I have, but I feel like I'm missing something now."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I don' 'ave an answer for ya, love... maybe y'should try some new things. Like workin' with children, 'r teaching, somethin' yer good at as a mother. Some people are never done bein' parents t'their babies, even when they're no' babies anymore. An' maybe give some thought t'adoptin'. There's plenty o' little ones tha' need a good home."

 

[heartofcourage]

"It's all worth a thought." Selena agreed as her brother encouraged her to find what made her happy. She would have to talk to Kreston about her feelings and perhaps they could decide on something as a family.