.

"Look at that bright smile! Did someone just give you a BIG hug?"

.

.

The sound of a beating heart had never been so reassuring.

Cydus and Valri had their differences, but there was one thing they would always agree on: Family was everything. They hadn't had the chance to act like one before because of the Risen. Because of Grima. Although jumping through time hadn't done away with either of those factors, they had decided they wouldn't let it hinder them.

Of course, seeing their parents again - even though they looked so different - was more difficult than they had thought it would be. It was all Cydus could do to keep from crying, and Valri had trouble even talking to their mother.

But in the end, Maygen broke the ice, because she'd be damned if she'd let the chance to have a family again slip from her fingers.

"Cydus! Valri! Hey, you two!" Both children glanced up, their ginger hair the exact same shade as their father's. She had found them sharing lunch. Adorable, she thought. "Do you guys have a minute?"

Shifting uncomfortably, the girl muttered, "Um..." Her brother took it upon himself to reply in the affirmative, although he seemed just as awkward.

I can't believe I raised such shy children, she mused. Although, if they were anything like their mother was in her childhood, perhaps it was to be expected.

The brunette shook her head before taking a nearby seat, hands folded in her lap.

"Okay... look." She took a deep breath, an inner mantra of courage bolstering her. "I'm probably not ready to be a mother right now, but... I still want to get to know you guys."

Cydus remained silent, as usual. Valri began twiddling her thumbs.

Brushing bangs behind her ear, Maygen continued, "I mean, I know that you came from the future to change it, not to socialize... and maybe I was such a terrible mom that you don't really want to talk to me... but -"

"No."

She jumped, not expecting the young man to speak. "I-I'm sorry?" No, he doesn't want to talk to me? The thought saddened her.

His hand rose to his neck in what looked to be a nervous habit as he avoided her gaze. "You weren't... terrible."

Oh. Her heart leapt into her throat, but she managed a quiet, "That's good..." For a moment, she had thought he hated her.

As if encouraged by her brother's outburst, Valri glanced up from her thumbs. "Um..."

"Yes?"

"I... um..."

What am I, a wyvern?

Finally, Valri sucked in a breath and let it all out in a rush. "I was wondering if I could maybe possibly have a hug!" Then she covered her mouth, staring at her mother with wide eyes.

After taking a moment to slow down and process the request in her mind, Maygen laughed. "Really? You don't need to ask!" Opening her arms, she beckoned with a smile. "Come on. Don't be shy."

Carefully, the girl got up from her seat. One step closer. Pause. And then, she tripped over her feet as she flung herself at the brunette, nearly knocking them both over.

"Ack!"

"S-sorry, Mama," Valri whispered into her shoulder, but she didn't relinquish her hold. If anything, she held her even tighter. "I just... I've wanted to see you for so long, and now... now you're here, and..."

Poor girl... I can only imagine what she's been through. Her gaze lifted to the young man before her, adding, Him, too. He watched the two of them, features softer than she had originally given him credit for. When he realized she'd caught him, he glanced away, but she wasn't having any of that.

"Hey, you. Get over here." Patting her daughter's head, she murmured, "There's room for one more."

Evidently, he needed more coaxing. Thankfully, his sister looked back at him and prodded, "Come on, Cydus!" Her wheedling tone prompted him to approach. Maygen rolled her eyes at his caution and stretched an arm out to snag his sleeve, tugging him forward. He stumbled into them, and Valri gave a little shriek and a giggle.

"There we go! Group hug!"

Eventually, a second pair of arms enfolded the women, and Maygen marveled at Cydus' strength... or his desperation. His reluctance melted away, and the three of them stood there for what felt like an eternity, taking in that feeling of unconditional love they had all missed so dearly.

Later, Valri admitted to her brother that the sound of their mother's heartbeat was almost like a drum of hope. And he agreed.

.

Interesting side-note: I left the decision of who the father was going to be for this snippet-series up to a friend of mine (Blazing Sceptile) as there were obviously plenty to choose from in the game itself. He practically threw the name "Ricken" at me, and I couldn't refuse such enthusiasm.

-Dragon