The Flower of the Fae

Little Magic Star

*Ella's POV*

I'm in the kitchen doing dishes, suddenly there's a tug on my shoulder.

"Mommy"

I look down to see my oldest son, Gage, staring up at me. His Amber eyes gleam as he speaks.

"Jupiter won't sit still" he says "she's being difficult"

I sigh and ruffle his black hair.

"let her out of the stroller, she's probably bored."

He nods returning to the living room. it's been a year since the twins were born and both of them are walking, which is both a relief and a pain. While Ilias can be a little rowdy, but he's actually a bit clingy. He's not likely to go off on his own, however Jupiter is the opposite. She's quiet but she's the adventurous type, and the fact that she's so quiet doesn't help... but what really makes matters worse..

"Mom! Look Out!" Gage yells

A vase from the living room went flying by my head barely missing my face.. What really makes matters worse is her gifts. Ever since her birth, Jupiter has displayed a powerful connection to magic, as if her access is unlimited... and this seems to make her a precious Jem for the Fae. I'd be fine with that, if they didn't try to kidnap her. And as if this issue tied in with her adventurous personality and the fact she can't control her powers yet wasn't bad enough...

"EHAHA"

Her twin brother seems to find her fits to be hilarious. I turn to see him pointing at the pile of broken glass on the floor, laughing, and while I know I shouldn't, I can't help but smile at the expression he's wearing.

"what am I going to do with you two" I say

I went to get the broom when the front door opens, my husband walking in. I'm happy to see him until I noticed the expression he wore and my heart dropped, it's as though he'd died. He kicks off his shoes, drops his briefcase and jacket on the floor and walks past me, his eyes landing on the broken glass before he just keeps walking away. I can feel my heart breaking because, though he'd never admit it, I knew he'd grown to loathe coming home. He does fine with the boys, but the way he seems to act around Jupiter.. it's like he hates her.. but he couldn't possibly.. could he?.. Remembering there's glass on the floor, I go to get the broom only to find Gage emptying the dust pan into the trash, the glass no longer on the floor, and I smile.

"Take Ilias into the living room with you and Jupiter, I'll start dinner"

Gage smiles before picking Ilias up out of the highchair. I watch as he sets Ilias down next to Jupiter and turns on cartoons, sitting just behind them. Gage has become protective of them, especially Jupiter. Despite only being Eleven years old, he seems to sense that his little sister is special and that feeling dictates how he is with her. I watch them for a few minutes longer before turning my focus to making dinner.

*later that night*

I just put Ilias down for the night but Jupiter refuses to sleep, every time I try to put her down she's screams her head off. I'm starting to get flustered when Gage walks in the room in his pajamas.

"I'll be there in a bit Baby, I can't get your sister to settle-"

"Lemme have her"

I was about to decline when he took her from me and she quieted immediately. I just sat there watching as my eleven year old had better luck than I did as he rocked her back and forth.

"it's time for bed, Jem." he says

He walks towards her crib and she began to cry. He raised his eyebrow at her.

"none of that now, you hear?"

As if understanding his words she stopped crying. I watched in awe as he kissed her forehead before laying her in the crib and just like that she was out like a light.

"Goodnight, my little fairy"

My heart skipped a beat. He turned to me.

"you ok, mom?"

with that my heart settled down and I nodded . Gage has always had a way with Jupiter that shocked me, but I'm glad he does otherwise we'd never get her to sleep. He walks over to me, wrapping me in a hug.

"I love you, little one" I say

"I love you too, mom. goodnight"

to my surprise, he returns to his room without me. Did he come in here just to settle Jupiter? My little boy was growing up right before my eyes. and as sad as it makes me, I'm proud of him.

*Early the next morning*

I wake with a start, fear flooding into me. something's wrong. I hurry out of bed and run to the babies room where I find a creature looming over Jupiter's crib. I try to use my magic to get it away from her but it's not working. I began to panic, calling for my husband, but he doesn't answer. I try my magic again but nothing happens. suddenly the room door is flung open and standing there with his eyes glowing a dark black color is Gage. His whole focus is on the creature.. and Jupiter.

"Get. away. from my sister"

It came out in a growl, anger flowing off him in waves. a loud snapping sound filled the room, Gage doubling over as his body begins to change. He's shifting, but it's too early. He's too young.. my heart's pounding in my chest as I watch the scene unfold.. why is this happening?.. Just as I was ready to break down at the loss of my son, a large deep gray wolf stood where Gage used to be. growling lowly. seeing the wolf, the creature disappeared, leaving a sleeping Jupiter in her crib. The wolf shakes it's body as if adjusting to it and I reach for him.

"Gage, baby, are you ok?"

The wolf walks over, nudging me gently with it's muzzle before leaving the room. My babies are ok. they're ok. After making sure Gage was in bed, I returned to my room to find the bed empty. I climbed in, wishing my husband were there to comfort me.