Aleska Jones was sitting in the police station and very much not liking it.
Despite her new status, she could not deny her old fear creeping into her as she saw uniforms out of the corner of her eyes. Police meant danger, it meant a tension running about her spine in fear of being caught. Nerves made her leg jiggle impatiently. The certainty that attention would mean disaster for her family for her Jupiter made her… Unhappy to be in a police station, even with Sergi sitting next to her constantly reminding her that she was not 'illegal' anymore.
That she was essentially a British citizen sanctioned to be within the United States. Thanks to some work that Sergi had done years ago, she was no longer considered a citizen of Russia as it had become, and now that he knew of Jupiter, her child was no longer a secret to the world at large. They had the certainty of protection, the reality of money, and political power behind them. It was strange to have, and it was even stranger to move away from the attitudes that had kept her and her child safe in the United States.
"Erm, Mrs. Jones?" a young police officer nervously asked, it took Aleska a moment to realize he had been one of the ones that she had screamed at just under a few days ago.
She tried for a smile- or at least something a little softer than a scowl. He nervously licked his lips.
"Would you follow me, please?"
Aleska was tired and uncertain. They had been there on a standard follow up report from the detective in charge of Jupiter's missing person case. Reviewing details long looked over, and now this uniformed office had barged in and smiled a wide smile, but had taken one look at her and fallen nervous. They followed behind him, to an area far away from the office they had been interviewing and-
"MAMA!"
A cry, a soft patter of delicate feet.
Aleska was on her knees before she even understood. Her arms were around her daughter before she fully registered that Jupiter was here. Sobs filled her throat, and tears fell without censure as she clung to her daughter. She babbled, she knew. In a mixture of Russian, Hebrew, and English. It was a hodgepodge of swears, prayers, and distinct sweet things to her baby.
But Aleska did not care.
Jupiter was in her arms. Jupiter was safe.
She was no longer without her daughter, and that was all that mattered.
Happy Thanksgiving to all my fellow Americans.
It's been a very difficult year, to say the least. Explosive politically, socially, and on top of that a pandemic.
But, I am grateful to all my wonderful readers, my continued good health, and my wonderful family.
Be safe, be well everyone, and think of all the good things that have happened despite this horrible, HORRIBLE year,
Moon Witch '96
