Chapter 135
SAGE
Three Years Later…
I often wondered if the Moon Goddess had heard my desperate plea that day. The kind–hearted couple who found me lived in a secluded part of South Louisiana, far from prying eyes and bustling towns. Their home, nestled by fields and thick woods, felt like a hidden sanctuary. It was quiet, peaceful, and safe–everything I needed to start over.
Gertrude and Robert had lived a simple but fulfilling life, though they were never blessed with children of their own. Despite their happiness together, the longing to have a child still lingered in Gertrude’s heart. I saw it in the way her eyes lit up whenever she talked about motherhood. So, when they discovered I had no family and nowhere else to go, Gertrude didn’t hesitate for a second. She opened her arms and heart to me as though I had always belonged.
Robert, on the other hand, was skeptical from the beginning. His protective nature made him cautious, and I couldn’t blame him. Taking in a stranger, especially one with no past to share, wasn’t something he did lightly. But in the end, his love for his wife won out. Gertrude’s gentle persistence had a way of softening even the toughest resolve.
And so, I became part of their family. Life in the human world was the best hiding place I could have asked for. No one here knew who I was or where I’d come from. It was as though I’d been given a second chance to live.
But there was one thing I couldn’t hide from them–the child growing inside me. My pregnancy progressed at an alarming speed, much faster than a normal human pregnancy. Fear clawed at me as I wondered how I would explain it. I had no answers, only dread.
To my immense relief, Gertrude and Robert never pried. Despite their curiosity about my rapidly growing belly, they didn’t ask questions. They simply accepted the mystery surrounding me, choosing love over doubt.
me, I g
Their unwavering kindness carried me through the chaos. And when the time finally birth to not one but two beautiful babies–twins.
Holding them in my arms for the first time, I felt an overwhelming sense of love and purpose. They were perfect, with eyes
wept tears of joy as Robert, despite his
bright as the stars and tiny hands grasping for a world they had just entered. Gertrude “pose. They were perfect, with eyes
gruff exterior, smiled softly, his heart clearly touched by the sight of the little
Somehow, we had become a family, built not by blood but by love and acceptance. And though I still carried the weight of the past, in that moment, I allowed myself to hope that perhaps this could be the start of something new.
“Mom! Ellie pulled my hair!” Cooper’s voice rang through the house as he barreled into the kitchen, his long silver hair tousled and gleaming like strands of moonlight. His blue eyes, wide with frustration, locked onto me as I stirred the pot on the stove. He tugged at the ends of his hair dramatically, making sure I saw the alleged damage.
Behind him, Harper sauntered in with her usual sass, her wild, waist–length red hair bouncing with every step. Her brilliant blue eyes sparkled mischievously, a look that usually meant trouble.
“Oh, come on! Don’t be a chicken, Cooper. It wasn’t even that hard,” she said, crossing her arms defiantly.
“Harper Addison,” I said, narrowing my eyes at her, stop bullying your brother.”
Harper huffed, clearly unimpressed by my scolding. But after a moment of deliberation, she rolled her eyes dramatically and strolled back toward Cooper. Without warning, she leaned and planted a quick, soft kiss on liis cheek
Fine, sorry she muttered, het tone reluctant but sincere.
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Cooper frowned, wiping his cheek with exaggerated disgust. “Ew gross!” he protested, but there was a faint smile tugging a his lips.
I bit back a smile, watching them with a mix of amusement and warmth. No matter how much they bickered, there was no denying the bond that held them together.
Harper, with her fiery red hair and fearless attitude, was a whirlwind of energy–always bold, always ready to speak her mind. Her sharp wit and mischievous grin often left me wondering what scheme she’d cook up next. She was a spark, wild and untamed, lighting up every room she entered. She often reminds me of his father.
Cooper, on the other hand, was her steady counterpart. Thoughtful and gentle, he had a quiet strength about him. His long silver hair framed a face that always seemed deep in thought, as though he carried the wisdom of someone far beyond his years. But despite his calm nature, he knew how to hold his own when pushed too far–a trait his sister had tested plenty of times.
They were night and day, fire and ice, yet together they made my world whole, filling it with laughter, chaos, and a love so pure it often took my breath away.
Life here felt almost unreal, like something out of a dream. Yet, no matter how peaceful things seemed, I couldn’t stop the nagging thoughts that crept in during the still moments. Danger was always lurking, a shadow I couldn’t fully shake.
Three years had passed since I brought Harper and Cooper into this world, but I didn’t know how much longer I could stay hidden. I knew it was only a matter of time before Kieran found me.
And then there was Titus. I hadn’t heard a single word about him or the outcome of his plans to reclaim the kingdom. Had he succeeded? Was he safe? I could only hope he’d found his happiness, just as I had found mine–at least for now. Despite everything, I wished him nothing but peace and joy, even if it wasn’t with me.
Lost in thought, I stirred the pot on the stove absently, the fragrant aroma of herbs and spices filling the kitchen. My mind was tangled in a web of uncertainty and hope when Gertrude’s sweet, familiar voice pulled me back to the present.
“That smells nice,” she said warmly, stepping into the kitchen with her usual gentle smile.
I turned to see her leaning on the doorframe, her kind eyes sparkling with affection as she watched me. Her presence was a soothing reminder of the here and now, of the life we’d built together in this little corner of the world.
“Thank you,” I replied, managing a small smile.
Gertrude wiped her hands on her apron and moved to stand beside me, peeking into the pot simmering on the stove. “You’ve really taken to cooking, dear. This smells heavenly. Robert will be licking his plate clean tonight, I’m sure of it.”
I chuckled softly, grateful for her lightheartedness. Gertrude always knew how to ease the tension clinging to my shoulders. “Well, he better not. Harper will call him out for it,” I joked.
Her laughter rang through the kitchen, warm and infectious. “That little spitfire of yours sure does keep him on his toes. Cooper, too, bless his heart. He’s always so polite, even when she’s bossing him around.”
I smiled at the thought of my twins. They were my anchor, my reason to keep moving forward despite the shadows of the past looming in my mind.
Gertrude’s expression softened as she rested a hand on my arm. You’ve done a wonderful job raising them, you know. They’re good kids–happy, smart, and full of life. Robert and I are proud to call them our grandchildren”
Her words warmed my heart, but they also reminded me of the fragile truth I carried within. No one here knew the full story of who I was, where I came from, or the dangerous ties I’d severed to protect my children. They’d accepted me
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without question, offering love and security I hadn’t thought possible.
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“Thank you, Gertrude. I couldn’t have done it without you and Robert,” I said sincerely, my voice thick with gratitude.
She waved a dismissive hand. “Nonsense. Family helps family. That’s just the way it is.”
Before I could respond, the sound of tiny, hurried footsteps echoed through the house. Moments later, Ellie burst into the kitchen, her red hair wild and windswept, Cooper trailing behind her with an exasperated look on his face.
“Mom! Mom! Harper says the storm’s coming back!” Cooper announced dramatically, pointing to the window like he’d just spotted a dragon on the horizon.
Harper rolled her eyes. “It’s just dark clouds. I said it might rain.
I exchanged a glance with Gertrude, who grinned. “Never a dull moment with these two, huh?“.
I sighed with mock exasperation. “Never.”
“By the way, the twins seem to be in the right age to go to school, don’t you think?” Gertrude suggested.
Her suggestion caught me by surprise, and for a moment, I didn’t know what to say. School? I hadn’t seriously considered it. The idea of sending Ellie and Cooper out into the world made my chest tighten. What if people started asking questions I wasn’t ready to answer?
Oblivious to my worries, Gertrude smiled brightly. “Those two are sharp as tacks. I bet they’d do great in school–make some friends, learn new things, all that good stuff.”
Harper’s eyes lit up. “School? Like with books and recess?” she asked eagerly.
“Yes, sweetheart,” Gertrude nodded warmly. “You’ll meet kids your age and maybe learn a few things your mama hasn’t taught you yet.”
Cooper frowned. “Do we have to go?” he asked, sounding unsure.
“Well, that’s up to your mom,” Gertrude said, giving me a gentle but encouraging look.
I forced a smile, even though my stomach twisted with unease. “It sounds… interesting,” I said, my voice tight.
Harper grinned proudly. “I bet I’d be the smartest kid there!”
Cooper folded his arms. “Or the bossiest,” he muttered under his breath.
“Hey!” Harper snapped, and just like that, their usual squabbling began.
Gertrude chuckled softly. “Think it over, dear. It could be good for them–and for you too. You deserve a little break”
I nodded, though my thoughts raced. School meant exposure. Exposure meant questions. And questions could tear apart the quiet, safe life we had built.
But Gertrude had a point. The twins deserved a normal life, or at least something close to it. They were growing up fast, and I couldn’t keep them hidden forever.
“I’ll think about it.” I promised, though the weight of the decision pressed heavily on my heart.
Gertrude smiled and went back to setting the table as Harper an Cooper’s laughter filled the room. I watched them, their
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bright spirits untouched by the shadows of my past. They deserved joy, freedom, and every chance to thrive.
Now I just had to figure out how to give them that without risking everything we had built.
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