Losing The Light Of The Moon

Love Is Light...

Chapter 45: Love is Light...

TATIANA

I was looking out my window, but everything was a blur as I had another slow-motion vision, revealing another puzzle piece—a very short one that showed a tremendous release of overwhelming harnessed power that I was very familiar with as I was lying on a dirt floor—with an fierce explosion at the end, making me jump as a cold chill ran down my spine...

“A dire look and a jerk this time,” Horacio’s deep alarmed voice slowly broke in, his arms snaking around my waist, lifting my body in the air, turning me around before pressing my body tight against his chest. His anxious gaze peered deep into mine as I slowly wove my arms around his neck, “I’m liking whatever is going on inside that beautiful head of yours less and less, Tati. Talk. Now, please.”

“When did you come in?” I breathlessly replied, bringing my hands up to delicately run through the back of his hair, shockingly exclaiming, “I didn’t even hear you!”

“Nice try at distraction, gorgeous,” Horacio knowingly grinned, “But I have tremendous will-power—right now, anyway—again, talk.”

I avoided his gaze—a twinge of guilt that I couldn’t tell him the information he so desperately wanted—instead choosing to run my fingertips along the shapely outline of his broad shoulders, sweetly replying, “I can tell you a little secret about a certain necklace of mine!”

Horacio let out an exhaustive, annoyed sigh, “Your necklace—that’s what you’re going with?”

I ruefully replied through a grin, “It contains...a poem. When I really need to hear it, it glows so I will read it out loud—reminding me to breathe again.”

“I could use something to remind me to breathe right now,” Horacio unevenly replied in a huff, “Care to share?”

“It’s about believing in fairies,” I seductively replied against his lips before kissing him softly.

As our lips parted, he huskily exhaled out, “Liar! But your distraction has worked!” Passionately crashing his lips down upon mine, he took us to my bed, basking in our love as we connected again as one...a needed momentary distraction from the vision that was becoming more and more clear—frighteningly so...

The truth was—I wasn’t lying...but Horacio wouldn’t find that out until much later—at a time when I needed him the most...

**********

Much to our disappointment, Lorenzo asked to meet with Horacio following our midday tryst. I wasn’t alone long, however, as Aruna soon wanted to take walk down to the lake to see Jace’s gift...

Admiring Aruna’s beautiful long fitted cream dress with a multitude of bright colors splashed perfectly to accentuate her smooth ivory skin, I complimented her, “You look lovely today, Aruna.”

Weaving her arm around mine, she appreciatively replied, “Thank you, Tati. I found myself drawn to it this morning. It was a gift from Nicholas—his favorite dress of mine.”

“He has good taste,” I warmly returned, “Not surprising as he is much like his father, who also loved colorful clothing.”

“Because of what you endured, I didn’t press it last night, Tati,” Aruna hesitantly stated, “But I wish you had told us about the potion. You always meant so much to Aldric—and to me—for the immense joy and love you brought to Julien—to all our lives here at Crescent Moon. We should have been allowed to express our gratitude for our greatest gift —Nicholas. I, of course, can do so now—but my Aldric...he should have been given the opportunity to express it to you.”

“We were only just getting to really know one another at the time, Aruna,” I thoughtfully replied, “I didn’t want our relationship to be based on that. My words last night were true—it wasn’t necessary. I love and adore Nicholas with all my heart. He is a tremendous gift to my life as well as yours. And from the day that extraordinary young man came into this world, I did see your gratitude, your joy, and your love—every time you and Aldric looked at him. That was more than enough for me.”

“Did Julien know?” Aruna reluctantly asked, her eyes filling with tears.

“He did,” I adoringly breathed out, “Julien understood my reasons for keeping it a secret. But since the secret has been revealed now, I will tell you another—Nicholas’ birth is what made Julien and I realize we wanted a child of our own sooner than we had originally planned. So, I should be thanking you as well. Because of that, I got more time with Julien and our Jace as a family before I lost them both...and my Jace, he is truly the greatest gift I have ever received in this life.”

“Jace is gift to me as well,” Aruna affectionately smiled, “Like you, I love and adore Jace with all my heart. While he is much like his father, I see so much of you in him, Tati. Though reflection on the time lost is even more heartbreaking to me now, both for Julien and Jace, especially after all he has gone through over the years. But it also makes me even more grateful that he has you back. Jace needs you Tati—the light you bring to him is so bright. It makes me very happy to see him so content with his life finally.”

“He loves and adores you as well, as do I,” I delightedly told her, “I love our family, Aruna, every single one of them. I can’t begin to tell you what my life at Crescent Moon means to me—will always mean to me. This place and everyone in it—it’s home. A home I never thought I would have again in my life when I was young and will always fight to keep.”

“How bad is it, Tati?” Aruna worriedly asked in a downhearted tone, “Your visions—what we are to face?”

Laying my hand on top of hers, I assured Aruna, “I feel quite sure all will be well in the end, so do not despair.”

Looking up as we continued down the path, my bench came into view—I was surprised when I found it was occupied by one of our beloved children, who was abnormally hunched over in a complete daze, distraught as he looked out onto the water...

“Is that Carson?” I disconcertingly asked, “I don’t like that look. Whatever could be the matter?”

Aruna was startled as well, murmuring out, “I’m not sure, but you and I are going to find out. Our boy looks incredibly troubled.”

Reaching him, I softly greeted as Aruna and I walked around either side of the bench, “Carson, my darling? What are you doing here all alone looking so down, love?”

He jumped at the sound of my voice, snapping out of his tranced state, his eyes moving between Aruna and I as he anxiously greeted, attempting to feign his normal sweet and charming cheery demeanor, “Oh! Hi, Luna! Hi, Auntie! I’m good! Just re-energizing for a sec. A lot of heavy stuff going on right now. Really not into the heavy—prefer happy. Jace did a cool job on this bench. I really like the inscription—inspiring stuff and every word true and from the heart—he’s always so good with words.”

“Tatiana and I are both well-aware that you are our even-keeled delightful one, Carson, which is why you have us both concerned,” Aruna softly urged, “We can tell something is weighing heavily on you, my darling boy. Talk to us.”

His anxiety seemed to heighten as Carson nervously scooted to the center of the bench to allow Aruna and I to sit, running his hand through his sandy blonde hair while continuing to move his solemn blue eyes between the two of us. It was then that I noticed he was holding something in his fingers on his other hand—a ring—a band of delicate white gold with a large oval diamond in the center, surrounded by small sparkling sapphires around the edges.

“Is that the ring Aruna gave you for Charlotte?” I marveled, captivated by its beauty, “It's breathtaking!”

“Yeah, it is,” Carson dishearteningly exhaled out, “I just have to figure out when and how to give it to Lottie.”

Aruna and I exchanged knowing gazes before she gently asked, “Is that your struggle, Carson? The timing—feeling that you can’t propose because of all that is happening currently?”

“Kinda,” Carson shamefully admitted, “But it’s actually more of how to propose—let’s face it, I can run my mouth better than anyone, but I’m not good with the meaningful words and I feel stupid asking the guys for help. Their stories of proposing are so—perfect. Even Beast! That four-word lug found just the right words to propose to Tink. Lottie deserves that—I have absolutely no idea how I got so lucky with her. I mean, she loves me—REALLY LOVES ME! Goofiness and all. I just want to make it perfect for her.”

“Do what you are doing now, Carson,” I sweetly encouraged, “What makes it perfect are words that come from the heart.”

“Tati is right, Carson,” Aruna adoringly told him, “Charlotte loves you so very dearly for who you are, not fancy words—just express what is in your heart.”

“It’s a jumbled mess in there, ladies, but both of you are wise and good with quotes and stuff,” Carson thoughtfully reasoned out loud, his tone sounding more hopeful, “Maybe you can help me find the good words? Build up my confidence so I won’t sound stupid? For Lottie?”

Aruna and I both amusingly laughed as a thought came to my mind. Flicking my hand out, I brought forth one of my journals, opening it up to a special section before handing it over to Carson, “I think I can do better than that—I’ve written quotes that I love in this journal, including many about love. Perhaps you can find the words that speak to you and your heart in here—to give you the confidence you seek.”

“Oh, Tati!” Aruna excitedly exclaimed, “What a brilliant idea!”

Holding the book in his hands, Carson flipped through my many pages of words, his eyes growing wide as he breathed out in astonished awe, “A book filled with tons of awesome Auntie-approved quotes that I can like—study and memorize? Any chance you can gift a guy with a copy? This would really come in handy!”

Laughing out loud, I replied, “Why don’t we just work on finding the right words to inspire you first?”

************

After Aruna left with an elated Carson to pick some flowers for Charlotte from Beast’s garden, I continued to sit in my spot, a bright smile on my face as Carson did find inspiration in my book—my heart continuing to swell in the love I was surrounded with at Crescent Moon—a feeling that grew even more as one of my favorite young ladies in the world found me...

“Hi Auntie,” Tink lovingly greeted, sitting down beside me, “Thought I would come check out the bench. Mind if I sit with you for a while?”

“Tink!” I happily exclaimed, “I’ve been wondering where you have been hiding all day! And my sweet Beast!”

“Yeah, my big guy will be down in a bit to check this out,” Tink sweetly replied, her bright blue eyes peering over at the scrolled heart etched in the center of the bench, “Luna and Chatterbox told us you were down here. He’s helping pick some flowers. I wanted a few minutes with you—alone.”

A wide smile extended across her face as she inaudibly breathed out, “I like what Smooth Talker wrote—the perfect words, as usual. Think this might be my favorite place now—my favorite place to sit—ever. Just so I can read that over and over.”

I was touched by Tink’s endearing words that were expressed so tenderly from her heart, quietly replying, “That is awfully sweet, my darling. What a beautiful memory you have just gifted me with—thank you. I hope you and I can both sit here often. I always love spending time with my beautiful girl...you bring such happiness and joy to my world, Tink—you always have.”

“I want—I want to ask you about something, Auntie. Something that—the aunts said yesterday, ” Tink hesitantly began before stating in wonderment, “The butterflies—the ones that bring happiness and joy to my world—it—it was something that you shared—with your mom.”

The words came out slowly and thoughtfully as Mother’s face appeared in my mind, “It was. Our own special way we expressed our deep love for one another—an unconditional love that lasts for eternity, even though she is no longer here.”

“But then you decided to make it—our special thing,” Tink disbelievingly breathed out, “You’ve done it every now and then with everybody, but you do it all the time—with me. You have since I was little.”

“Mmmmhmmm,” I hummed out, warmly smiling at her.

Biting her lower lip, Tink reluctantly asked, “Do you really—love me that much?”

My mouth gaped open as I shockingly exclaimed, “What a silly question! Of course, I do! Since the day you were born—you claimed my heart as your own the instant I held you! Our own eternal bond. I have always loved and adored you in a very special way, Tink, and I always will!”

Tink slowly nodded and reflected unusual deep emotion in her expression as she reluctantly admitted, “I love you that much too—always have and always will. You’ve never made me feel different, just...special—in a good way. A way that gives me confidence, you know? You have always made me believe I could do anything and I will always do anything for you!”

A sheepish grin crossed her face as she continued, “I’ve thought about it all day—you always lit up when you saw me back then—just like I lit up when I saw you, the way we both still do now. You got me and loved me for it—who I was—and still do, for who I am. Not everybody gets it. And after I learned all that stuff about you, it made sense—you were always different too. It’s kinda like with Beast—we get each other—being different than everyone else and how bad we struggle with it sometimes.”

Taking her hand in mind, I earnestly told her, “Being different isn’t a bad thing, Tink, it means you are brave enough to be yourself. And you, my darling girl, have always been one of the bravest souls I have ever known! You and Beast! You proudly own who you are and rightfully so! Tink, both you and Beast were born to stand out and be different! And I am so very proud of the incredible special individuals you have become! Believe me, together there is nothing you two can’t and won’t accomplish!”

Tink threw her thick, powerful arms around my neck, pulling me tight into her solid, bulky frame, making me giggle at the force of her embrace, returning with my own tight hug as she exclaimed, “I love you so much, Auntie! Just like Beast—all my heart, forever a lot! Thank you for always seeing me that way—for just seeing me, seeing both of us—and for always loving me like you do and sharing the butterflies! I wish my huge hunk of testosterone heard all that! Won’t sound the same coming from me!”

“I heard it!” Beast sweetly exclaimed from behind us, diverting our attention to him, as he tenderly added, “I love you all my heart, forever a lot too, Auntie.”

Tink laughed out loud, “That many words? He’s telling the truth, Auntie! The big guy doesn’t do that with just anybody!”

Wearing his typical black t-shirt and jeans, the two beautiful bouquets Beast was holding in his mammoth hands looked even brighter. One contained stargazer lilies and multi-colored hyacinths while the other was a dozen deep blue roses.

A broad smile crossed my gentle giant’s face as he walked up and handed the roses to Tink and the other beautiful bouquet to me, “For my favorite ladies.”

Tink smiled brightly at him before reaching up to grab his shirt, yanking him down until their faces were in front of one another before she placed a tender kiss on his smiling lips as I let out a fit of giggles, “While I share her sentiment of love and adoration, I will simply kiss you on the cheek for my beautiful gift! Thank you, my sweet Beast!”

After she released him from her grasp, Beast chuckled, walking around the bench, and wrapping his huge arms around me, lifting me high in the air as I steadied myself, throwing my arms around his neck as he hugged me tightly, placing a kiss on his cheek before amusingly exclaiming, “I do love the feeling of flying high in the air!”

Both laughed as Beast looked down at the center of the bench, humorously breathing out, “You are a fairy.” His kind eyes connecting with mine again, he adoringly grinned, “Light in every way!”

I hugged him again before he set me back down on the ground. Taking my seat next to Tink once more, my heart swelled even larger as she warmheartedly stated, “You know Nicholas has a deal with Luna—he always says he selfishly refuses to allow her to leave this earth—and him. I want the same deal—with you.”

“I think you are on to something, Tink! That is a brilliant idea and a deal I wish to make as well,” Jace’s voice adoringly interjected before asking, “What do you think, Nicholas? Should we hold Mother to the same promise as our Luna?”

I turned to find Jace, Constance, Nicholas, and Madeline walking towards us, all of them beaming at me as Nicholas steadfastly declared, “Absolutely! Ladies, what are your thoughts?”

“Mmmmm,” Madeline happily murmured, “Afraid you have no choice, Auntie. We refuse to live without you.”

“Agreed,” Constance affectionately sang out as they reached us, “It’s easier to see the beauty in life if you have a bright light guiding the way.”

“Well said, Goddess,” Jace smoothly replied, leaning down to kiss her gently before returning his attention to me, “What say you, Mother? Do we have a deal?”

“Say yes, please,” Beast kindly urged, causing me to turn, looking up to find him staring down at me with his adorable grin.

A huge lump formed in my throat as I looked at my beautiful children who were gathered around me now—who meant everything in the world to me...

I had dreamed of having a family again many times in my years alone in the cottage, but what I had here at Crescent Moon far exceeded anything I ever could have imagined back then—a fact that made me realize all the challenges fate has dealt to me were worth it—because it brought me every single one of them—my family.

“Well,” I thickly replied with brimming tears, “I don’t see how I can refuse. I accept—and I love all of you—for eternity.”