Standing on the balcony in only her nightgown Ami looked up at the stars. She often watched the sky at night trying to find constellations or wondering how many planets were just outside her eye's reach. While some people complained that the night sky made them feel small and insignificant, it made Ami feel a little more self assured. Every day she was surrounded by things she couldn't possibly understand, sometimes even in her own home, but the vastness of the night sky told her she wasn't the only one.
Ami was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't hear the sliding glass door open, nor did she hear Kurt approach her from behind. It wasn't until a pair of strong arms wrapped around her waist that she realized her husband was there with her.
"Leyna's finally asleep," he said smiling. "Of course I had to read her two stories to get her there, but she is asleep."
Ami laughed. "She's got you wrapped around her little finger, you know that don't you?"
"I know, but I can't help it."
They settled into silence, neither of them needing to speak in order to know what the other was feeling. They were indeed spoiling their daughter, at least partially out of guilt. While other kids Leyna's age were at the playground, she was spending her time at the mansion where she was one of only a few younger children. Both Ami and Kurt had the sickening feeling that they were holding their daughter prisoner, but what else could they do?
"Charles said they were starting to get more interest in classes for younger students," Ami said casually. "I talked to him for a little while before you were out of class."
"Really? That's great, maybe Leyna will finally have some kids to play with."
Ami nodded. "Goodness knows what's going to happen if she keeps spending so much time with Logan. She'll be smoking cigars by the time she's ten."
Kurt couldn't help but laugh.
"At least with Hank she's learning something, but of course she's bored out of her mind."
They fell silent again, both staring out into the night. It was hard to act like nothing was bothering them, and it was even harder when they both knew the truth.
"We're doing the right thing," Kurt assured his wife, speaking softly into her hair. "We're good parents doing the best we can do. Hopefully someday Leyna will be able to walk down the street without our worrying, but not yet."
Tears threatened to spill over onto Ami's cheeks but she forced them back. "I know, I just also know that eventually she's going to hate us for it."
"Perhaps, but that will pass in time."
Still fighting back the tears, Ami nodded. In time it would pass, but what could they do until then?