Forbidden Love

by UnknownEntity0

(Flash): "Astral." A soft and gentle voice called out. "Who's there?" I said glancing around the darkness. "Did you forget me?" She asks as her voice quivered as if she was about to cry. "Who are you?" I repeated once more to the darkness in an annoyed tone of voice. She took a shaky breath. "I'm..." (Flash) I snapped my eyes open and clutched my forehead. Who is she?

37. 37

Eliphas' POV:

We closed the door to his bedroom and all looked at each other. Will they be okay? I mean like a guy and a girl in the same room… Not to mention that they are now a couple…

"Are you sure they will be okay?" Luca asks as we walked down the hall, looking back at the room with concern.

"You worry too much, you know that?" I said as I looked at him.

My wife nods in agreement. "Yeah, you need to just calm yourself and just let them be."

He sighs. "I know that but still, I can't help but worry. I mean like they are in the same room. Not as friends but as a couple this time."

"Luca," His wife said with an exasperated sigh. "They will be fine. Also, did you forget that they are 18? She is not a little kid anymore."

"I know that but in my eyes, she will always be little no matter what age she is." He responded to us.

We all smiled at him. He's so overprotective.

"Trust us," I said looking at him. "They will be fine."

He looks hesitant but nodded. "I hope that you're right."

"A question, so are you staying over or leaving?" I ask, looking at them.

Carissa sighs. "We will be staying over if you don't mind."

"Not to worry," Enna said smiling. "We have plenty of rooms."

"Do you even have to ask, Eliphas?" He said shaking his head slowly. "Of course we will be staying over."

We all looked at him as we sigh. "Yes, I know," I said. "That's why we prepared your rooms already."

He raised an eyebrow. "You did?"

I smiled. "Considering how protective you are about Lily, yes."

We led them to their room. "Here it is," Enna said gesturing towards it.

"Have a good rest you two!" I said smiling at them.

"You too!" Carissa said.

"How can I have a good rest when my daughter and your son are sleeping in the same room?" He asks us.

"Luca," She said with a sigh. "They will be fine."

"But what if-"

"They are adults," Enna said gently. "You can't keep controlling them like they are kids."

"Trust me," I said. "We have been through this before."

They tilted their heads in confusion. "When?"

"Remember when Astrid was still alive?" My wife said as they nodded in understanding.

"Ohhhhh."

"Yeah," Enna said as she smiles. "Believe it or not, Eliphas wouldn't even let them sleep in the same room as each other."

I shot her a glance. "They were still young at that time," I said defending my actions.

"I know," She said. "They were still young at that time so it made sense that we didn't allow them to sleep in the same room."

"But," I continued her train of thought. "But, they are now adults. No matter how much we see them as kids, they still need their freedom." I said gently, looking at him.

"They are right," His wife said, agreeing with us. "I know it's a hard thing to do but Lily is an adult. She can make her own decisions and live with it."

"I know, but-"

"Our job as parents is to raise our child properly until they reach adulthood." She said softly. "She can make her own choices and decisions."

"What if-"

"Then she can live with the consequences." She said cutting him off. "Luca, we can't keep her all to ourselves like this."

"She is her own person and if we keep controlling her then one day, she will rebel and leave us."

"No, she-"

"I know that you care for her. I care for her as well. We are her parents and we want what's best for her but if we don't let her make her own decision then later in life, she will regret it." She said smiling.

"You got to learn how to let go and let our child grow."

"I know but do you know how hard it is to do?" He said looking at us.

My wife nodded. "I know how you're feeling."

"As parents, the hardest thing is to see our children date and be intimate with someone else."

"We are constantly worried about them and therefore, we think that by controlling them, it will stop our fears from coming true."

I nodded in agreement. "Luca, are you worried that my son will break her heart?" I questioned him.

He nods. "I mean like just look at today's events." He said. True but it shows how much they really mean to each other.

"I agree but I can guarantee that my son will not do anything to break her heart." I confidently said.

"How do you know that?"

My wife and I smiled at him. "Just look at today's events."

"I thought that he was actually telling the truth. That he sees her as nothing more than a friend but she saw through his act." Enna said.

"Yeah, and they have been best friends for years. Don't you trust him?" I ask, looking at him.

"Of course I trust him but there is still that fear you know?"

"I know, Luca but I can guarantee that he will not break her heart," Enna said.

"Honey, she made this choice and whatever the outcome may be, she has to live with the consequences of her actions."

His eyes widen. "But I don't want her to "

She places a finger on his lip. "All actions have consequences. We can't control her actions. This is her road, her life. You got to learn when to let go."

He looks conflicted as he closes his eyes and opens them a minute later with a smile. "You're right, maybe it is time for me to let go."

We all smiled at him as he said that. Good, he finally realized that. I will admit, I thought it will take more convincing but surprisingly no.

"Looks like you reached an understanding," Enna said as she smiled. "It took tons of convincing for Eliphas to understand my viewpoint."

My eyes widen as I shot her a glare. "Hey!"

"What?" She said innocently. "It's the truth. You were so stubborn and tracked them wherever they went. You didn't even let them kiss one time."

They laughed. "Really?"

She nodded with a chuckle. "Yup! You should've seen him."

"That did not happen!" I said trying to deny this.

He looked at me and smirked. "Sure…"

"It took tons of convincing from me and Astral to have him see our point."

"I am telling you, that did not happen!" I said protesting against her words.

Carissa looked at me with a knowing smile. "I totally believe you." She said sarcastically.

Okay, maybe I did spy on them and not let them kiss more than one occasion but is that really a bad thing? I'm just a parent trying to protect their child from harm.

I blushed in embarrassment as they all laughed. We were talking about Luca. How did the topic switch to me so fast?

The next morning:

Astral's POV:

I fluttered my eyes open and yawned in tiredness. What time is it? I glanced at the clock with my tired eyes. It's 9?

How is it this late? I glanced at the sleeping figure next to me and blushed, remembering what happened last night. We really…

I shook my head. We should really wake up before they all get suspicious.

"Lily," I gently called as I shook her awake.

"Lily, wake up."

"15 more minutes, honey." She muttered tiredly as she pulled the blanket closer to her body. I sigh. I guess she can sleep for a few more minutes.

I yawned as I carefully got off the bed, retrieved our clothes, and put them in the hamper. Let's see… what should I wear to cover this mark on my neck?

As I searched through my closet, I found a light blue dress shirt that has a collar. This collar could perhaps cover it and since I dress formally daily, it shouldn't look too suspicious.

I quickly grabbed my clothes, consisting of a long-sleeve light blue dress shirt, black dress pants, and a brown belt.

After the shower:

I looked into the mirror as I adjusted my collar to hide the mark. Hm… this should about doing it but…

I readjusted my shirt once more. It's still showing a little bit… Maybe they won't notice the mark?

I thought as I unlocked the restroom door and entered my room to find my son and Lily still sleeping soundly. I put on my brown dress shoes to complete the look. She looks so peaceful.

"Don't touch me!" She suddenly yelled as she flailed her arms.

"Do-Don't come any closer."

What? I thought as I sat by the bed.

"He-Help me!" She said with tears in her eyes, still flailing her arms.

Is she…! My eyes widen as I carefully shook her awake.

"Lily, wake up!"

"H-Help me!"

"You are having a nightmare. You have to wake up!" I said quickly as I continued to shake her gently.

"No no no no no! Don't touch me there!"

"Lily! Wake up!" I shouted as I embraced her tightly. I got to wake her up!

"So-Someone, please help me." She whimpers as tears formed in her eyes.

"You are safe… shhhh… you are safe…" I said calmly as I rubbed her back.

"Lily, listen to me, you have to wake up," I said as I stroked her hair gently.

"H-Help me." She whimpered in distress as she hits me on the back making me hiss in pain. That hurts so bad! Ow…

"Listen to the sound of my voice, my love, and open your eyes," I said calmly as I held her by her shoulders.

"No no no no no no no!" She screamed as she opened her eyes in terror and breathing heavily.

After a couple of minutes of silence from her staring at me, tears streamed down her face. "Astral?" She said in disbelief as she touched my cheek. She's awake!

I smiled as I gently took her into a hug. "Don't worry, you're safe."

"He won't harm you anymore," I whispered gently.

"He-He touched-"

I placed a finger on her lips. "He's gone. You are safe."

"But that dream-"

"You had a nightmare. Don't worry, he's gone." I said softly as she smiled at me.

I hugged her for a couple of more minutes then broke the embrace, drying her tears with my thumbs.

(Knock)(Knock)

"Yes?"

"Astral," Zach said. "We heard a scream."

"Is everything okay?" Maria asks in concern.

"Everything is fine," I replied to them as we froze.

"Are you sure?" My sister asks us with worry.

"Yes, Lily just had a nightmare," I explained to them in hopes that they will leave us be. If they come into this room, I don't know how I will explain this.

"Well, can we come in?" Brandon asks as Lily looked at me nervously. Why?

"Why?"

"Because we want to," Lilith said.

"And, we want to check up on Lily to see if she is okay," Estella said.

She gulped nervously. "I'm fine." She responded to her as she grips my hand.

"By the way, why are you still sleeping? It's 9 in the morning!" Derek asks us in suspicion.

Uh-oh… I have to find an excuse… "Can't I sleep in for once in my life?" I ask them in hopes of avoiding this question.

"You can but you are usually an early riser so we were wondering why you are not up yet. No need to get so defensive, brother." My sister replied. Phew, I successfully avoided that question.

"So, can we come in?" Serenity chimed in.

"No!" We simultaneously said as silence came from the other side of the door.

"Why?" She asks in confusion.

"Yea," My sister asks. "Why can't we enter your room?"

Lily and I looked at each other. "Look, just give us 30 minutes," I said in hopes that they will leave.

"Yea, after 30 minutes, you all can come in." She said as she bit her lip.

"Why 30 minutes?" Maria asks us.

"Why not now?" Estella questioned.

"Ever heard of privacy?" She said with a hint of annoyance.

"Yes," Brandon said. "But still, why 30 minutes?"

We both sigh in frustration. Seriously? Got to come up with a good excuse. Um…

"All of you," I heard my father say. "Back away from the door."

"But-"

"No buts. Have you ever heard of privacy?" My mother said in a scolding manner.

"Yes but-"

"Then you all should know that if he doesn't want you in his room, to respect his wish." I heard Lily's mother say from the other side.

"Aren't you a bit curious why they won't allow us in his room?" I heard Lilith ask.

"Yea, and why do we have to wait 30 minutes?" Zach asks them.

"I got to admit, I am a bit curious but still, this is a privacy thing." Her father said.

"But-"

"Look, if they want you to come back in 30 minutes, why not wait 30 minutes and come back?" My father tells them.

"Why 30 minutes though?" Maria asks them.

I could hear all of the adults sigh in frustration. "Why do you want to come into his room so badly?"

"I want to see my little brother!" Serenity said excitedly. That's understandable but why do they all want to see him?

"Serenity," Lily called out from right next to me. "He is still sleeping. I think he will wake up soon so come back in 30 minutes."

"Okay, mother!" She exclaimed happily. Well, that's over and done with.

"What about the seven of you? What's your motive?" My father said in suspicion.

"Like we have a motive." Crystal said sarcastically.

"We just want to see why they are not up yet," Derek said.

"Can't they sleep in for once in their lives?" I heard my mother say.

"Yeah, they don't need to get up so early all of the time." Her mother said, backing up my mother.

"True but don't you find it odd that-" Brandon started to say but got cut off by my father.

"You can ask him later. Right now, just stop bothering them and sit down for breakfast."

I could hear groans from the seven of them as they all walked away, leaving us. Are they gone?

"Astral, Lily," My mother said. "I am giving you two 30 minutes to come down for breakfast."

"So whatever you are doing in there, you better come out in 30 minutes." Her father warned us.

They said as I could hear their footsteps fading into the distance. Ok… so we only have 30 minutes to cover the marks.

"Are they gone?" She asks as she sits next to me.

I nodded. "They are gone," I responded, smiling at her.

We both sigh in relief. Thank goodness they didn't break the door down.

"We only have 30 minutes. I should shower." She said while getting off the bed as I went to my closet and gave her my white dress shirt.

Her eyes widen. "This is-"

"We only have 30 minutes. There is a collar that covers the neck which will hide the mark." I explained as I pushed her into the restroom.

"Plus, I don't think anyone will question why you are wearing my shirt. We are a couple after all." I said as we both blushed.

She smiles and shuts the door. A couple… I smiled at that thought. We are a couple!

Now, how am I going to manage to hide this mark? Even though the shirt hides most of it, it still shows a bit. I pondered as I sat on my bed.

15 minutes later:

The restroom door unlocks and Lily comes in. My eyes widen as I laid sight on her. She is wearing my oversized dress shirt that accentuates her figure and curves. She looks…

"Astral, although this collar does a good job in hiding the mark, there is still a bit showing and…" She trailed off once she noticed my eyes not leaving her figure.

"Astral?" She said as she approached me in concern. She looks so attractive and cute!

I blinked. "Yeah?"

"Are you okay?" She places a hand on my cheek.

"Hm… you feel normal." She said looking at me in concern.

I cleared my throat and stood up. "I'm fine," I said as I walked towards my closet and grabbed a black belt. Considering how my shirt is long enough to be a dress, this should complete the look.

I walked over to her and stood close to put the belt on the shirt.

"W-What are you doing?" She asks with a blush on her face.

I quickly wrapped the belt around her waist. "I'm completing this outfit," I replied as I finished putting on the belt and step away to admire her. Oh wow.

"How do I look?" She glanced at me with a blush.

I quickly pinned her towards a wall and claimed her lips passionately as she moaned in satisfaction.

We broke the kiss with a blush. "You look gorgeous, my love," I whispered as her hands wrapped around my neck.

"Re-Really?"

I smiled as I nodded, looking into her eyes. "We should try to find a way to cover the mark in case someone sees," I said as I moved away from her, my heart still beating rapidly. If I didn't stop, then we would be in here for ages.

"I got it!" She said as she materialized her makeup kit and dragged me to the restroom. Makeup?

"Is that going to cover the mark? I ask in confusion as she nods.

"Yes, now hold still." She said while putting makeup on my neck. Does it really conceal it?

"Hmm…" She furrows her brows.

"Is it not working?"

"No, it's working but there is still a little redness left." She said as I looked in the mirror. Indeed. There is still a tiny red spot left.

"Don't worry about it," I said while slightly smiling. "If someone asks, I could say it's a bug bite or something along those lines."

"Ok," She says while applying the makeup onto her neck as well. My question is why does she have makeup?

"Why do you have makeup?" I ask in curiosity as she put her makeup set away.

"It's used to cover any imperfections on the skin."

"Yea, I know that but why do you have a makeup set?" I ask pitting the emphasis on the 'you'.

She looks at me in confusion. "Why wouldn't I have a makeup set?"

I smiled as I placed a hand on her cheek, making a seep of red appear on her face. "Because you don't have any imperfections," I said gently, as I could hear her heartbeat quicken.

"No, I do-"

"To me, you are flawless, my love." A deep shade of red appeared on her face as I leaned in for a kiss.

(Knock)(Knock)

My eyes snapped towards the door in anger. "What?" I said in a dangerous voice.

"Um, Astral it's been 30 minutes." My sister said nervously.

"Did I come at a bad time?" Yes, yes you did.

I removed my hand from her cheek as I took a deep breath to prevent snapping at her. Calm down. She didn't know.

We walked out of the restroom and opened the door, revealing my sister standing there looking nervous. "No, you're fine," I responded smiling at her.

All of a sudden, our son starts to cry as he stirs awake from his slumber.

Lily picks him up and rocks him back and forth, making him stop crying as he giggled. Cute…

"Anyway, it's time for breakfast," My sister said as we all walked out of my room and shut the door.

"Lily, are you wearing a dress?" She asks as she looks at her in shock. Ohhhhh… she normally doesn't wear dresses.

"Yea," She replied as our son looked at us and coos.

"I figured that it's good to wear a dress once in a while."

My sister blinks as she pulled me aside. "Brother, what have you done to her?" She asks me in shock.

"What do you mean?"

"She never wears dresses."

I sigh. "That isn't really a dress. It's just my dress shirt that just happens to look like a dress."

Her eyes widen. "Ohhhhh, no wonder she has no problems wearing it."

I nodded as we approached the table and sat down next to Lily still holding our son.

"Mother, can I see Phoenix?"

I smiled at her as I carried her onto my lap. "Of course you can."

She looks at him as he sticks his little arms out to reach her and coos softly.

"He is so cute!" She said looking at him happily.

"Was I this cute when I was little?"

She smiles. "Of course you were. You are plenty cute right now as well!" Lily said while materializing a milk bottle for him to drink.

"Your mother is right," I said agreeing with her.

"Ok," My father said suddenly. "Serenity, go back to your seat. They have to eat."

"Ok, Grandfather." She said as she went back to her seat.

This could be a problem. She's holding him so how is she going to eat?

"Lily, let me hold him," I said as I picked him from her arms. "You just focus on eating."

"What? No, then how are you supposed to eat?"

She summoned up the crib and I placed him back in with him giggling. "There," She said smiling.

"Did you two stay up late yesterday or something?" My mother asks us as we ate. Something like that.

We nodded as we looked at the food. "Why?" Lilith asks us making us look at each other. Got to find a good excuse…

"I had a nightmare so he stayed up all night consoling me," Lily said quickly. That could work.

They all nodded in understanding. "Makes sense." Her mother said as she looks at us.

"Are you okay, mother?" Serenity asks us.

She smiles. "I'm fine, Serenity."

"Yeah," Maria said as she smirks at us. "How could she not be fine when he was right next to her all night."

All eyes directed to us. Seriously?

"Be honest with us," Brandon said. "Did you two…" He trailed off with a blush as they all made kissy noises in the background making our eyes widen as we looked away. Why those guys…

All of the adults chuckled. "Give them a break." Her father said laughing.

"Ok, that's enough. Stop teasing them." My mother said as she looked at us.

I looked at them with a deadpan expression as Lily blushed and focuses her attention on her food. I glanced at her plate in confusion. That's odd…

"Lily, you haven't touched any of your food," I said in concern. "Are you feeling alright?"

She looks at me with a blank expression. What's wrong with her?

"Lily?" I shook her gently but no reaction.

She starts to look pale, breathing heavily. "Astral, I-" She suddenly covers her mouth and flew to the restroom at lighting speed. What?

I immediately followed her and found her hunched over the toilet, breathing heavily as she emptied her breakfast.

"Are you feeling alright?" I ask softly as they all stood outside the restroom.

"I feel dizzy." She said as she emptied her stomach once more, looking pale and breathing heavily.

"When did this start?" I asked gently as I patted her on the back, not knowing what else I can do.

"The headache started this morning. It intensified when I came in contact with food." She replied weakly, still kneeling over the toilet. Hm…

"How does the headache feel? Like do you feel a throbbing sensation or a stabbing one?"

"It started as a dull ache on my forehead then it gradually increased to one side of my head and behind the eyes." Hmmm… This seems familiar.

"Have you felt like this before?" My mother asks as she stood outside of the restroom.

She shook her head slowly. "No, I have never felt this way before." She replied as she clutched her head in pain.

"I had headaches before but not with great intensity as this."

"Does it get worse with every movement that you make?" Her mother asks her gently. Why are they asking her these questions?

"Yes," She said as she hunched over the toilet once more.

Is it perhaps a migraine?

I turned towards her mother and father. "Is it perhaps a migraine?"

Her father bit his lip. "I mean it sure seems like it but migraines don't run in the family."

"These symptoms seem awfully familiar…" My mother trailed off as she looks at me with suspicion. What? Why is she looking at me like that?

She emptied her contents again as she looked at me in desperation. "Astral… I feel like I'm going to pass out…" She whispered weakly as I helped her stand up. I flushed the toilet and guided her outside into the hallway. These symptoms are relatively close to migraine symptoms.

"Lily, stay with me," I whispered as I carried her back to my room and placed her on the bed.

"Walter," My father said. "Bring in the doctor."

"Yes, your majesty." He said as he rushed out of the palace.

She starts to drift off when she snaps her eyes open and stumbles to the restroom to empty her stomach once more.

She leaned against the toilet, looking pale and sweat dripped down her face. "What is happening to me?" She managed to say as I patted her on the back once more. That is what I want to know as well. She barely ate anything today besides a couple of spoonfuls of soup.

"I think that it's a migraine but the doctor will make his diagnosis when he gets here," I said softly as I helped her to the bed.

"Don't worry, you will be fine," I said as we sat on the bed.

"Your highness, may I come in?" The doctor said as he opened the door.

"Of course," I replied as he walked in.

"Your highness, I have been informed of Lady Lily's illness." He said as he looked at us. "But, I just need to clarify a couple of things."

"Ok," She responded.

"So, when did this start?"

"It started this morning."

"How was the headache?"

"Hmm…" She ponders a bit. "It started as a dull ache on my forehead. Then as time progresses, it started to increase to a pulsing, stabbing pain and spread to my eyes and one side of my head."

"Alright," He said as he writes something in his notepad. "Do you feel nauseous, dizzy, sensitive to light, sound, food, and or stomach cramps?"

"Yes, all of the above." She replied as he looked hesitant. Why does he look so hesitant?

He looks at her, then at me, and swallowed nervously.

"Is there something wrong with me?" She asks as she grips my hand in fear.

He widened his eyes. "No no. There is nothing wrong with you Lady Lily." He replied quickly to reassure her. Then why is he reacting this way?

"Your highness, may I speak with you in private?" He met my gaze and I nodded.

"I'm going to be right outside ok?" I gently said as I kissed her on the forehead. She nods and lets go of my hand.

We walked out into the hallway and shut the door. What's so private that she can't hear?

"How is she?" I ask him quietly as he hesitated.

He bit his lip. "Your highness um…"

"What is it?"

"The symptoms that Lady Lily displays are similar to a migraine."

I nodded in agreement. "That's what I thought as well."

"But…"

I narrowed my eyes at him in suspicion. But? "What else is there?"

He gulped nervously. "Considering that migraines don't run in her family and she never had such a migraine before…"

"What are you saying?" He's not saying what I think he's saying right?

"Your highness," He whispers into my ear. "Do you have any reason to think that Lady Lily is pregnant?" My eyes widen as I stared at him in shock. That's not possible… She can't be pregnant…

"Your highness?" He asks in concern as I shook my head rapidly.

"That's not possible," I responded still reeling from shock.

"That is just my guess. I need to examine her to make sure." He said as he looks at me.

"Go and examine her but don't tell her what you told me, okay?" I said as he nodded.

"Don't worry, your highness, this is only my guess. I will not tell the others."

"Thank you." I smiled at him gratefully as he entered the room.

I leaned against a wall to think this through. She just can't be pregnant… She swallowed that pill, right? I saw her swallow it in front of my eyes. Plus, we only did it yesterday. There is no way that she can get pregnant that fast.

"Astral!"

Why is it so loud? I snapped out from my thoughts as they all shouted my name in concern.

I blinked. "What is it?"

"We have been calling you forever," Maria said.

"Are you okay, brother?" My sister asks in concern.

"I'm fine."

"What's wrong with Lily?" Estella asks in concern.

"I have never seen her like that before," Lilith said.

"He suspects that she has a migraine."

"What's a migraine?" Serenity asks as she looked up at me.

I smiled. "A migraine is like a really bad and intense headache that causes agonizing pain," I explained to her as she looks at me in concern.

"So, mother is in pain right now?"

I nodded as I looked back at my room. "Just out of curiosity, where are my mother and father?"

"Oh, they went somewhere," Zach said.

"Come to think of it," Brandon said pondering. "They were acting very weird."

"Oh, your father said you have to meet him in his room," Derek said. Why?

"Why?" I ask them as they all shrugged.

Well, let's go see what they want. I walked towards the crib, picked up my son, and walked towards their room.

"Come in." My mother said as I opened the door to their room.

I closed the door as I sat down on the couch with my parents sitting opposite of me. Why do they look so serious?

"Why do you look so serious?" I ask as I looked at them.

My father sigh. "Astral, are you going to play dumb or will you actually admit what you did?"

My eyes widen. What did I do?

"What did I do?" I ask in confusion.

"You know what you did." My mother said gently as she walked towards me. What are they talking about?

"What are you two talking about?" There is no way that they heard the noises from last night right? I mean that's the reason why I put up that sound barrier.

"I don't know what you're talking about," I said as I stood up but got pushed down by my mother.

She lifted my shirt as I winced in pain. "Ow!" I hissed.

"Where did you get these marks from?" My mother said expectantly. How on earth…?

"Um…" Should I tell them the truth?

"What marks?" I ask in confusion.

"Stop playing dumb with us and tell us the truth." My father said calmly. "Where did you get those marks?"

I stayed quiet and looked around the room avoiding their eyes.

My mother sighed. "She gave you those marks right?"

"Why would you two assume that?" I countered with a blush on my face.

"Son, just admit it. She gave you those marks and this hickey am I right?" My father said as my mother adjusted my collar to reveal my mark. How did they know?

"How-"

"We have been through this as well." He said as they chuckled. Of course.

"When did you notice?"

"Since this morning." She replied.

"So… why did you call me in here if you already knew?" I ask in confusion.

They looked at each other then back at me. "Okay, before you ask," I said quickly with a deep shade of red on my face. "She swallowed that pill."

They looked relieved. "So, she's not pregnant?" He asks as I look at him in shock.

"Father!" I said in disbelief as she nudged him in the ribs.

"Ow!" He said glaring at her.

"Well, to be fair, her symptoms this morning do seem similar to pregnancy symptoms." She said, backing him up.

I let out a sigh. True.

"What did the doctor say?" She asks me in concern.

"It's probably just a migraine but he says that he will check for pregnancy as well," I said with a faint blush.

A thought occurs in my mind. Are they not angry?

"Are-"

They shook their heads, smiling. "No,"

"You're an adult. You're capable of making your own decisions and live by the consequences of your actions." My father said gently.

I smiled at both of them. Who knew that they will be so understanding.

"Alright, let's go outside." She said standing up as we all walked out the door and found all of them, except for Crystal and Serenity, pressing up against the door looking at me in shock, and blushed. I shouldn't even be surprised at this point.

"Seriously?" I ask looking at all of them.

"A-Astral," Brandon spoke up, stuttering. "You-You and Lily-"

I glared at him. "If you already heard the whole thing then why bother asking?" I interrupted him.

"I'm just curious," He said quietly as he whispered into my ear. "How did it feel?" He asks with a blush on his face as my eyes widen. Why is he asking me that?!

I stared at him in shock and disbelief. "When you have a girlfriend, you will know," I responded calmly as I walked towards my room.

"Oh come on, Astral," Zach said slapping me on the back making me hiss in pain as I quickly removed his hand. That burns so bad!

He blinks in shock. "Does it hurt that bad?" He asks in concern.

I nodded as I continued to walk the hallways. "Brother, what did you, mom, and dad talk about?" My sister asks as she approached me.

"Just some things that you don't need to know for your age."

"What? Brother, may I remind you that we are the same age?"

"Yet, I'm the older one."

"Maybe by a few months but that's it."

"So, I think I deserve to know what you were talking about." She said looking at me expecting a response.

I sigh. "It's about my personal life," I said vaguely in hopes that she won't pry more.

She tilted her head in confusion. "But your personal life is here."

I blinked at her. How is she still so innocent after all of these years?

I glanced at Brandon, Zach, Derek, Maria, Lilith, and Estella. "Don't you dare tell her." I warned as they all laughed.

"Tell me what?" She asks confusedly.

We all arrived at the front of my room. "Your highness," The doctor greeted me as he pulled me aside to talk.

"How is she?" I whispered.

"Lady Lily has a migraine. She's not pregnant." He said as I sigh in relief. Not that I don't want her to get pregnant but still…

I nodded. "Whose is in the room with her?"

"The general and his wife are talking to her right now, your highness."

"Ok, thank you for your services."

He started to leave when he turned around. "Your highness, you know what to do for a migraine right?"

"Yes, I get migraines from time to time as well. If there is anything, I will call you in." I responded to him.

"One more thing," He whispers. "How has your Tuberculosis been?"

Hm… Aside from the most recent attack, it's been pretty dormant…

"It's been pretty dormant recently."

"Really? Hm…" He ponders as he went into deep thought.

"Your highness, do you want me to check again?"

"Sure, if you want to."

I glanced around. My room is being used so…

"Follow me," I commanded as he followed me into Lily's room which is directly opposite of mine.

"Astral," Maria said. "Where are you going?"

"I'm just going to ask the doctor a few questions in her room." I lied as I went into the room and shut the door. It's better than telling them the truth.

After the checkup:

"Your highness," He said excitedly. "Great news!"

I tilted my head in confusion. Great news? Are we still talking about my illness anymore? Since when is Tuberculosis good news?

"What's the great news?"

"I don't know how but your Tuberculosis-"

"Let me guess, it has no cure and I will die? How is that good news?" I ask in confusion as I looked at him.

He looked appalled by my words. "No, your highness, your Tuberculosis is slowly decreasing!"

I stumbled back in shock and accidentally broke a porcelain vase on display. My Tuberculosis is slowly decreasing? That means…

"That means that…" I trailed off trying to process his words.

"Yes, your highness! That means you will no longer be suffering from that illness."

"Are you lying?" I ask him in disbelief as I sat on the bed. I won't die?

"No, your highness. I am not lying."

"I thought you said that there is no cure."

"There is no known cure for it but I don't know how it happened but your Tuberculosis is slowly decreasing!" He said happily.

"When did this happen?" I ask, still in shock.

"I am not sure but I guess it would be around yesterday." He ponders.

Yesterday? "But I had an attack yesterday," I said in confusion.

He furrowed his brow. "May I ask what you were doing when that attack happened?"

Let's see… I was… Ohhhhh.

"I was saying some… things I didn't mean to someone when it started," I said as I looked at him in confusion. "Why do you ask?"

"How did you feel when you said some things that you didn't mean to that person?"

How did I feel? Well, it felt like my heart was on the verge of death.

"It felt like my heart was on the verge of dying and being stabbed repeatedly by sharp knives with every word I said to her."

He nods while putting his hand under his chin. "Ah, I got it!"

I blinked at him. "Got what?"

"Your highness, this is just a theory but maybe the emotional pain that you experienced somehow made your illness decrease." What?

"How does that work?" I ask in confusion.

"Sometimes when people are in great emotional pain, they keep it all to themselves. Take you as an example, you aren't really the type to show your emotions outwardly. So all of that emotional pain gets buried deep within you. When that happens, it could affect your physical health."

"Yesterday's events with Lady Lily must have pushed you over the edge emotionally, making you have another Tuberculosis attack."

My eyes widen. "How did you know that I was talking about Lily?"

He slightly smiles. "Everyone knows how much she means to you, your highness. So I just made a guess." He said.

Oh.

"This time though, since you were already in great emotional pain, I guessed the symptoms decreased."

I nodded. "I guess that makes sense. I mean like yesterday, I just coughed out some blood. It wasn't as bad as the other times."

"Your highness, I will tell the King and Queen about this great news but first of all." He said looking at me with concern. "If the Tuberculosis comes back full force, make sure to call me back into the palace okay?"

"Ok but don't tell my parents about this just yet."

He looks at me in disbelief. "Why?"

"It's slowly decreasing, not entirely gone. I don't want them to get their hopes up in case something happens." I said in a serious voice as he nods in understanding.

"I understand, your highness."

I smiled as I opened the door revealing my parents standing outside the doorway. Why do people like to spy on conversations like this?

All of a sudden they both hugged me making me stiffen at the unexpected hug. Why are they hugging me?

I eased into the hug as we stood there for a couple of seconds then broke apart.

They smiled at me happily as my father put his arm on my shoulders. No words need to be said for me to get the message. They are happy.

I nodded softly and a smile graced my face as I stared at them.

The doctor took this chance to excuse himself as Serenity tackled me.

"Father, I have a question." She asks me as I looked down at her.

"What is it?"

"What is love?" She asks as my eyes widen. Why is she asking that?

"Why are you asking that?"

"I heard it mentioned a lot over these couple of days. So I wonder what it is."

"Do you not know what love is?"

"I know what it means but I don't know what it feels like."

"What?" I ask in confusion.

"Love is a warm and fuzzy feeling right?"

I nodded. "Yes, but there are different types of love."

"Different types?"

"Like there is a love between a parent and a child."

"That is called parental love!" She said as I smiled.

"Correct. There is also friendship love."

"That is love between friends!" She said as I ruffled her hair.

"Look at how smart you are. See, you know about love."

She tilted her head in confusion. "So, is your love for mother parental or friendship?"

I shook my head. "Neither," I responded, making her more confused.

"So you don't love mother?"

I sigh as I chuckled. "I love her but it's neither parental nor friendship."

"Then what other love is there?"

"Romantic love," I replied.

"Huh?"

Let's see… how should I explain this to a child…

"Romantic love is a type of love between couples and lovers." I started as I handed my son to my mother and kneeling towards her height.

"It is when you really care for someone and want to keep them safe at all times."

"Just like you do with me!" She said as I smile. "Yes, but it's somewhat different."

"How?"

"Um…" I said pondering. "It's more than that."

"It's like when you really care for a person and want them to stay beside you forever. The thought of them leaving you makes your heartache. The thought of not seeing them makes you yearn for them. You want to spend every minute with them." I said with a slight shock that I could actually come up with that.

She nodded. "I'm still confused."

"What is the difference between friendship, parental, and romantic love?" She asks me.

"Friendship love is love between friends. Take Maria for example. She's my friend."

"So you love her?"

My eyes widen as I glanced at Maria who had a blush on her face. "I love her, yes, but not in a romantic way. I love her in a friendly way." I clarified to her.

"Parental love is the love between a parent and a child. Just like how you call me by father. I love you and Phoenix because you two are my children." I explained to her as she nods.

"I love you as well, father!" She exclaimed as I smiled and ruffled her hair.

"I know you do," I responded while kissing her forehead.

"Romantic love is-"

"Is it like the love you harbor for mother?" She asks me as I smiled.

I nod as she looked over at Lilith. "You hear that mother? Father loves you." She exclaimed as both of our eyes widen. What?

"What? No, you misunderstand!" I shouted.

"I wasn't talking about Star." I corrected her as her expression morphs into understanding.

"You mean Lady Lily right?"

"Correct."

"But Star is my mother as well. Do you not love her romantically as well?"

I sigh. "No, I see her a friend and only a friend. The love I harbor for Lily is different."

"How is it different?"

Um… how should I phrase this in terms that she can understand?

"Romantic love is when you care for that person on a deeper level than friends do. It's like this feeling that you get when you are only around that person." I started again in hopes that she can understand what I'm saying.

"What is that feeling?"

"That feeling… it's like… I can't describe it." I said not knowing how to describe that feeling in simple words.

"Why can't you describe it?"

"It's too complicated to describe in words," I said sitting on the ground with her in my lap.

"When a person loves another person, they will do everything in their power to make that person happy. They don't like it when that person is sad. They care for that person really much and will protect them from harm." I said.

"You will do everything to make sure that they are by your side. To make that person happy. If you see them happy, even if you have a bad day, you will be happy along with them because their happiness is all that matters to you." I said smiling as I looked towards my room.

"If I remember correctly, you used to love someone before mother right?" She said as my smile fades and I clench my fist. Why does she have to bring that up?

I nodded slowly. "Yea, I loved her."

"Where is she now?" She asked curiously.

"Serenity," Estella said gently. "It's best if you don't-"

"It's fine, Estella."

"But still, you shouldn't-" Maria started as I stopped her.

"I'm telling you. I'm fine." I responded as I smiled sadly.

(Flash):

"You have to let go my love or else we will both plummet."

She continues to wiggle her hand out of my tight grip. "Stop."

"Stop it."

"Are you trying to die right now?" I said as tears dripped down my face.

"Do you know how high this cliff is? Do you know that-"

"We both know that I will fall either way. I don't want you to forget with me." She said as she loosened her grip even more.

"No. If you forget, I will forget with you." I exclaimed while trying to use the last of my strength to hold her hand.

She shook her head. "Astral," She smiled as she loosened her grip until I'm just holding onto her finger.

"No," I said in disbelief.

"My love, I beg you, do not let go! I have never asked you to do anything for me. Please, just this once, listen to me and do not let go of my hand!"

"Astral,"

"No, don't do this to me! We need each other too much! I shouted desperately.

"I love you." She said with tears in her eyes as she closed her eyes and let go.

"No! Astrid!"

(Flash)

"Father?" She asks in concern. Astrid…

I smiled. "I'm fine."

"You still haven't answered my question. Where is she?"

I clench my fist. "She's gone."

"Gone?" She said confused with my answer. "Gone where?"

"Someplace very far that I can't find her," I responded as I blink away the tears.

"Do you love her as much as mother?"

"Yes." I looked down at her smiling sadly. "I loved her very much."

"Do you love mother more or do you love her more?"

"Serenity," My father started to say.

"I'm fine, father."

"I don't think you-" My mother started.

"I said that I'm fine, mother."

I took a deep breath to steady myself. How can I even compare them?

"I love the both of them equally." I finally said to her.

"I don't believe you, father." She said as she narrows her gaze at me. What's there not to believe?

"Why is that?"

"Because, if you love two people, one of them will dominate your heart more while the other one just sits there in the back of your mind."

I blinked at her words. How on earth does she know that?

I stroked her hair. "I love them both equally." I reiterated to her.

"Even if Astrid isn't here, you still love her?"

"Serenity," Crystal said. "That's enough."

"Even if she isn't here physically, a person told me that as long as I remember her, she will always be with me," I replied.

"So you love her more?"

I shook my head slowly. "No one dominants my heart more. I love them both equally."

"But she's-"

"Serenity," I said cutting her off. "There are just some moments in life that you can't forget. No matter if someone tries to place a seal on your memory or not, it's very hard to forget your first love."

"She was your first love?"

I nodded. "Yes, yes she was."

"And you can't forget her?"

I shook my head. "No, maybe with time the pain with heal but the scars will always remain."

"Scars?"

"Yes, you heard me right," I said while clenching my fist. "The scars that she left me will always remain."

She looks at me with concern. "She hit you?"

I chuckled at her innocence. "No, I mean emotional scars."

"How does one leave emotional scars?" She asks in confusion.

"By making me love her then disappearing from my life, never to be found again," I said sadly. Why is she bringing up the past like this? I thought as I bit the inside of my cheek.

"Ohhhhh."

"So, are you sure that mother can't mend the scars that she left you?"

I… I don't know.

"That's enough asking," Zach said.

"Why?" She replied to him.

"Because…" Brandon said trailing off.

"Because what?"

"You just can't compare the two like that," Derek told her.

"Why?"

"They are two entirely different people," Lilith said gently.

"Serenity, maybe with time she will be able to mend it," I said looking down at her.

"Maybe with time the pain and scars will fade."

"How long will that be?"

A long time. "I don't know."

"I think that you love her more, father." She said as I widen my eyes. What? No, I love them equally.

"I love them both equally. They have each stolen a place in my heart." I responded.

"Which person is more important to you? Astrid or mother?"

Which is more important to me?

"Serenity!" Maria exclaimed.

"What is with all of the questions today?" Estella asks her.

"You just can't compare them-" Lilith said as I cut her off.

"It's fine. She's just curious." I responded as they all looked shocked.

"Can't you see that she's-" Crystal started.

"It's fine," I said in a cold voice.

"Astral, you are obviously not fine!" Zach shouted as I clench my fist tighter.

"What would give you that idea?"

"The way you are speaking to us and your clenched fist says it all," Brandon said gently.

"I'm telling you. I am fine." I said trying to keep my voice steady.

"But you-" Derek started.

"I said that I am fine with her asking. She's just curious." I said, raising my voice at them as I closed my eyes.

She is just curious. She didn't mean to open any wounds. She is just curious. Calm down. Calm down.

I reopened my eyes and looked at them apologetically. "I'm sorry for raising my voice."

They all smile at me sadly. "It's fine."

I redirected my attention towards Serenity. "They are equally important to me," I answered softly.

"How?"

I smiled at her. "No one can replace them."

"Can they replace each other?"

I don't know… can they replace each other? Can she replace her?

"Father?" She asks in concern as I blink.

"Maybe," I responded after a moment.

"So, what you are saying is that mother can replace her in your heart?"

I bit my lip. Could she really… Should I be even comparing those two?

"I… um…" I clench my fist. "I don't know." I finally said after a couple of minutes of thinking.

"But you just said-"

"They are two different people," I explained. "It wouldn't be fair to compare two people and say that one will replace the other like that."

"Okay, so the bottom line is that I love them very much and no one will replace the other." I summarized.

"But you said that maybe with time, the scars and the pain that she gave you will heal-"

"Just because the scars and pain will heal, doesn't mean that she will be gone." I calmly explained to her.

"Are you sure that no one, not even mother, can replace her?"

Why is she asking this? "I don't know," I responded with my fist clenched.

"Maybe. Someday… I honestly do not know, Serenity." I stopped myself from yelling at her. She's just a kid. She didn't mean to reopen my wounds. Calm down.

"Father, if Astrid is here right now, would you not love mother anymore?" She asks as my breath hitched in my throat. If she is here? I blinked the tears away as I stared up at the ceiling.

"That's not possible."

"Huh?"

"She's gone. She can't be here." I clarified as I clench my fist.

"Even if I wanted her to stay, she wouldn't," I said in a shaky voice.

"I'm just giving an example. If she is here, would you not love mother anymore?" She asks making my heartache. I…

"Serenity," My father said sternly. "Stop asking him these questions."

She looks at my father. "Why? If father loves mother then it shouldn't be a difficult question to answer."

"Sweetie," My mother chimed in. "There are just some situations in life that are not black and white as you think they are."

"But still, I'm just asking whether father still loves mother if Astrid is here and in his life. What's wrong with my question?" She asks them in confusion.

I… Will I still… Lily… Astrid… I smiled and look down. "The love that I harbor for Lily is irreplaceable."

"Not even she can replace it?"

"No one can replace it. Not even Astrid."

"So, you would still love her if Astrid is here?"

I nodded. "Yes, yes, I would."

"Why?" Why?

"Because life works in mysterious ways. When you least expect it, a person shows up in your life. Then, you realize that you love this person even though you try to resist your own feelings." I said gently, looking into the distance.

"A person very important to me once said that I can't keep living in the past as I did. She urged me to stop and cherish those in front of me, to stop hiding my emotions from people, to look forward."

"Is that person mother?"

I nodded. "Yes,"

"Is that when you started to develop feelings for mother?"

I nodded once again. "Without her, I would still be walking aimlessly in the past without a destination. She snapped me out of it and made me see what's directly in front of me."

"I'm confused. Why can't you live in the past?"

"The past is full of memories and regrets. It's not healthy to stay and think about the past for too long. It could cause you to lose sight of the present and make you miss those who you really value in life."

"If it's not good to live in the past, then why do you still think about her?"

I clench my jaw. Sometimes a person can have a big impact on your life that you can't forget.

"Memories take time to fade. The happy ones, sad ones, and everything in between. If you are saying that I need to forget her, sorry, that I can't do."

"Why?"

"Love is not an easy thing to forget. She made an impact on my life that I just can't forget. Maybe with time, I will but if you're saying right now," I shook my head slowly. "No,"

"If mother was suddenly gone from your life, how would you feel?"

If Lily was suddenly gone? I would feel…

"Empty," I responded after a moment of silence.

"Empty? There is that emotion?" She asks in confusion.

"It's not really an emotion, it's more like a feeling you get when the person you love is no longer with you. You feel like something and someone is missing in your life." I said as she tilted her head in confusion. Maybe it would be best if I come up with an example. Hm…

"Imagine standing on a beach. The grains of sand underneath your feet and in between your toes. The warm salty breeze ruffling your hair. And the sky is just midnight black and the stars are looking down at you. Just silent and watchful." I started out saying.

"There are no car horns or seagulls. Nothing except the breeze and the sound of the waves lapping."

"Nothing else. And imagine walking closer to the sea. Trying to get closer just so you can look at the waves whose sounds you hear."

"And you walk closer."

"The shoreline should have been here."

"You suddenly realize that you are just a few steps from the shoreline. But there's no water. And you listen closely and realize… you can't hear the waves."

"There's just a deep impression of where the sea used to be deep. A deep and wide pit extending as far as your eyes can see." I finished looking at her as she nods a bit.

"It sounds sad and lonely." She said with sadness in her voice.

"Yea, it is sad. It's one of the worst feelings out there that a person can experience."

"If you know this, then you must have experienced this right?"

I nod. "Yea, I have experienced it."

"It's like that you are just existing. You feel no emotions. Not anger, sadness, happiness, regret. You feel nothing. You feel like there is a void in your heart that can't be filled."

"What's existing?"

I smiled as I looked at her, patting her on the head. "Existing is you are just there in the world. You are essentially lost. There is no purpose that you are alive. You feel nothing. No emotions whatsoever. It's lonely. You are just walking around like a zombie wanting to cease to exist." I explained to her.

"And living is the opposite?"

"Yes, when you live you feel emotions. You have a purpose, someone who you care about and who loves you. You feel happy, sad, every emotion."

"So are you living or existing, Father?"

My eyes widen. "Why are you asking me that?"

"I'm curious." She said as she looked up at me smiling. Just what is up with her questions today?

I smiled as I ruffled her hair. "I'm living."

"I know, father!"

"What is up with all of the questions today?"

She giggled as I tickled her.

All of a sudden the door to my room opened and her mother and father walked out. Did they hear the whole thing?

They walked over towards me as I stood up. Her father puts a hand on my shoulder and whispers into my ear. "I'm really sorry that happened to you." He said as my eyes widen.

"It's fine," I responded to him.

"After hearing this conversation, I am confident that you will not break her heart. I know that no one will replace Astrid in your heart but please, love her to the best of your ability. I just want to see my daughter happy."

He…

"I promise that I will love her every day. I won't say that she won't replace her though. Maybe with time, she will but until then, I promise to make her happy. You have my word, General."

He smiles as he pats me on the shoulder a couple more times. "She wants to see you." He said as he walks towards my parents.

Lily's POV:

He really loves me… I thought as I heard the outside conversation between him and Serenity.

"Honey," My mother said gently as she sat on the bed. "Are you okay? He just said that he can't forget her."

"Yea," My father said. "Are you happy?"

I smiled at them. "I am."

He looks at me in shock. "What?"

"I know that I won't replace her in his heart but he loves me."

"Lily, do you know how painful it is to have a man you love, think about another woman?" She said softly.

I could imagine the pain.

"I could imagine but that doesn't change the fact that he loves me. I know that I won't replace her and I'm not trying to. I'm just trying to step into his heart space so that he can love me as much as he does her." I said while smiling.

"Lily…" She said in disbelief.

"Aren't you afraid that he will break your heart?" He exclaimed.

I nod. "Of course I am. I'm very afraid that he will break my heart."

"Then why-"

"Because I love him. I love him more than you could ever imagine." I said. "If he breaks my heart, that's a risk that I'm willing to take to show him how much he means to me."

"Even if I don't take over his whole heart, I just want to take over a little piece of it so that I could leave my mark in his life. So that he doesn't forget me."

"What if this is just lust and not love? He said. "Then what would you do?"

I shook my head slowly. "Father, you honestly don't know him at all. I can guarantee that this feeling, this emotion that we both feel for each other is not lust. It's love. He's not the type to go play around with other's emotions like that."

"What if he just can't forget her?" She asks me. "What would you do then?"

I will stay by his side. "I will stay by his side and remember her with him."

"You-"

"I know that I can never replace her and I know that he can't forget her. My only wish is that he loves me back and cares for me. It doesn't have to be much. It could be only a tiny piece of his heart that I dominate but all I want is to be in his life more than a friend." I explained as they both look at me with smiles.

"You really do love him huh?" My mother said gently as I nodded.

"Lily, you might say that now but what if he changes in the future?" My father said in concern.

"If he changes in the future then I would still be by his side. I have been his best friend since I was six years old. I know him and his personality better than anyone."

"Are you sure that no one, not even mother, can replace her?" I heard Serenity ask him from outside the room.

"I don't know." He said.

"Maybe. Someday… I honestly do not know, Serenity."

I smiled sadly. I know that I can't replace her no matter how hard I try.

"Are you okay, Lily?" My father asks in concern.

"I'm fine, father."

"Father, if Astrid is here right now, would you not love mother anymore?" Serenity asks him as my breath hitched in my throat. Would he still love me? I thought as tears flowed down my cheeks. If she was alive right now, would he not love me anymore? I don't think that I will be able to handle his response… There is no way that I can compare to her.

"Lily," My mother said gently as she patted my back.

"I-I'm fine, mother." I tried to blink the tears away. There is just no way that he…

"That's not possible."

"Huh?"

"She's gone. She can't be here." He clarified.

"Even if I wanted her to stay, she wouldn't." He said in a shaky voice.

"I'm just giving an example. If she is here, would you not love mother anymore?" She asks him.

"Serenity," His father said sternly. "Stop asking him these questions"

"Why? If father loves mother then it shouldn't be a difficult question to answer."

"Sweetie," His mother chimed in. "There are just some situations in life that are not black and white as you think they are."

"But still, I'm just asking whether father still loves mother if Astrid is here and in his life. What's wrong with my question?" She asks them in confusion.

"The love that I harbor for Lily is irreplaceable." He suddenly said after a moment of silence. He… really?

I fell back on the bed in disbelief and shock. I smiled with tears in my eyes. "He really loves me…" I whispered as my parents nodded.

"Not even she can replace it?"

"No one can replace it. Not even Astrid."

"So, you would still love her if Astrid is here?"

I nodded. "Yes, yes, I would."

"Why?" Why?

"Because life works in mysterious ways. When you least expect it, a person shows up in your life. Then, you realize that you love this person even though you try to resist your own feelings." He said gently.

"A person very important to me once said that I can't keep living in the past as I did. She urged me to stop and cherish those in front of me, to stop hiding my emotions from people, to look forward." He couldn't be talking about me, could he?

"Is that person mother?"

"Yes,"

"Is that when you started to develop feelings for mother?"

"Without her, I would still be walking aimlessly in the past without a destination. She snapped me out of it and made me see what's directly in front of me." Astral… I thought in disbelief at his words.

"I'm confused. Why can't you live in the past?"

"The past is full of memories and regrets. It's not healthy to stay and think about the past for too long. It could cause you to lose sight of the present and make you miss those who you really value in life."

"If it's not good to live in the past, then why do you still think about her?"

More tears streamed down my face as she said that. He loves her. That's why she is always number 1 in his heart.

"Memories take time to fade. The happy ones, sad ones, and everything in between. If you are saying that I need to forget her, sorry, that I can't do."

"Why?"

"Love is not an easy thing to forget. She made an impact on my life that I just can't forget. Maybe with time, I will but if you're saying right now," I shook my head slowly. "No,"

I knew it. He just can't forget her. I put a hand on the left side of my chest. It hurts… is this the pain that mother was talking about?

"Lily-"

"I'm fine, father," I responded as I looked at the door.

"If mother was suddenly gone from your life, how would you feel?"

If I was gone? Would he feel anything? I ask myself as I clenched my fist.

"Empty." He responded after a moment of silence.

"Empty? There is that emotion?" She asks in confusion.

"It's not really an emotion, it's more like a feeling you get when the person you love is no longer with you. You feel like something and someone is missing in your life." He said.

"Imagine standing on a beach. The grains of sand underneath your feet and in between your toes. The warm salty breeze ruffling your hair. And the sky is just midnight black and the stars are looking down at you. Just silent and watchful." I started out saying.

"There are no car horns or seagulls. Nothing except the breeze and the sound of the waves lapping."

"Nothing else. And imagine walking closer to the sea. Trying to get closer just so you can look at the waves whose sounds you hear."

"And you walk closer."

"The shoreline should have been here."

"You suddenly realize that you are just a few steps from the shoreline. But there's no water. And you listen closely and realize…you can't hear the waves."

"There's just a deep impression of where the sea used to be deep. A deep and wide pit extending as far as your eyes can see." He finished.

Wow, I thought as a smile appeared on my face. Even though I'm no match for her, I still dominate a portion of his heart, his love. To me, that is good enough.

"It sounds sad and lonely." She said with sadness in her voice.

"Yea, it is sad. It's one of the worst feelings out there that a person can experience."

"If you know this, then you must have experienced this right?"

"Yea, I have experienced it."

"It's like that you are just existing. You feel no emotions. Not anger, sadness, happiness, regret. You feel nothing. You feel like there is a void in your heart that can't be filled."

"What's existing?"

"Existing is you are just there in the world. You are essentially lost. There is no purpose that you are alive. You feel nothing. No emotions whatsoever. It's lonely. You are just walking around like a zombie wanting to cease to exist."

"And living is the opposite?"

"Yes, when you live you feel emotions. You have a purpose, someone who you care about and who loves you. You feel happy, sad, every emotion."

"So are you living or existing, Father?"

"Why are you asking me that?"

"I'm curious."

"I'm living." He responded happily.

"Are you sure that you are happy?" My mother asks me.

I nodded. "As long as I'm by his side and he loves me, I'm happy," I said smiling at them.

"As long as he makes you happy, I will allow this to happen." He said stroking my hair gently.

My eyes lit up! Really? "Thank you, father!"

He smiles. "I could tell how much he means to you and how much you mean to him." I nodded at his words.

"Remember Lily," My mother said as she was about to open the door. "I know that he can't forget her. If the pain becomes too much for you to endure, you can always come to us."

I nodded as I sat on the bed while they walked out the door.

Zach' POV:

"Father, I have a question." Serenity asks my friend.

"What is it?"

"What is love?" She asks as our eyes widen. Why is she asking that?

"Why are you asking that?"

"I heard it mentioned a lot over these couple of days. So I wonder what it is."

"Do you not know what love is?"

"I know what it means but I don't know what it feels like." What? How does she not know what it feels like?

"Love is a warm and fuzzy feeling right?"

He nodded. "Yes, but there are different types of love."

"Different types?"

"Like there is a love between a parent and a child."

"That is called parental love!" She said.

"Correct. There is also friendship love."

"That is love between friends!" She said as he ruffled her hair.

"Look at how smart you are. See, you know about love."

She tilted her head in confusion. "So, is your love for mother parental or friendship?"

He shook his head. "Neither." He responded, making her more confused.

"So you don't love mother?"

He sighs as he chuckled. "I love her but it's neither parental nor friendship."

"Then what other love is there?" Romantic love.

"Romantic love."

"Huh?"

"Romantic love is a type of love between couples and lovers." He started as he handed his son to the Queen and kneeled towards her height.

"It is when you really care for someone and want to keep them safe at all times."

"Just like you do with me!" She said as he smiled. "Yes, but it's somewhat different."

"How?"

"Um…" I said pondering. "It's more than that."

"It's like when you really care for a person and want them to stay beside you forever. The thought of them leaving you makes your heartache. The thought of not seeing them makes you yearn for them. You want to spend every minute with them." He said. Wow, I'm impressed that he could come up with that. Then again, he is in a romantic relationship with her so it shouldn't be hard to know that.

She nodded. "I'm still confused."

"What is the difference between friendship, parental, and romantic love?" She asks him. Plenty.

"Friendship love is love between friends. Take Maria for example. She's my friend."

"So you love her?"

His eyes widen as we all glanced at Maria who had a blush on her face. "I love her, yes, but not in a romantic way. I love her in a friendly way." I clarified to her.

"Parental love is the love between a parent and a child. Just like how you call me by father. I love you and Phoenix because you two are my children." He explained to her as she nods. Parental love between a child and a parent. I smiled.

"I love you as well, father!" She exclaimed as we all smiled as he ruffled her hair.

"I know you do." He responded while kissing her forehead. This is such a cute scene.

"Romantic love is-"

"Is it like the love you harbor for mother?" She asks him as he smiled.

He nods as she looked over at Star. "You hear that mother? Father loves you." She exclaimed as all of our eyes widen in shock. What?

"What? No, you misunderstand!" He shouted quickly.

"I wasn't talking about Star." He corrected her as her expression morphs into understanding.

"You mean Lady Lily right?"

"Correct."

"But Star is my mother as well. Do you not love her romantically as well?"

He sighed. "No, I see her a friend and only a friend. The love I harbor for Lily is different."

"How is it different?"

"Romantic love is when you care for that person on a deeper level than friends do. It's like this feeling that you get when you are only around that person."

"What is that feeling?" I am wondering about that as well. Is that feeling a good feeling?

"That feeling… it's like… I can't describe it." He said not knowing how to describe that feeling in simple words.

"Why can't you describe it?"

"It's too complicated to describe in words." He said sitting on the ground with her in his lap.

"When a person loves another person, they will do everything in their power to make that person happy. They don't like it when that person is sad. They care for that person really much and will protect them from harm." He said.

"You will do everything to make sure that they are by your side. To make that person happy. If you see them happy, even if you have a bad day, you will be happy along with them because their happiness is all that matters to you." My friend said smiling as he looked towards his room.

Hmm… It sounds like a good emotion. I hope that someday, I get to experience it as well.

"If I remember correctly, you used to love someone before mother right?" She said as his smile fades and he clenches his fist. Why does she have to bring that up? Doesn't she see that subject will reopen his wounds?

He nodded slowly. "Yea, I loved her."

"Where is she now?" She asked curiously.

"Serenity," Estella said gently. "It's best if you don't-"

"It's fine, Estella."

"But still, you shouldn't-" Maria started as he stopped her.

"I'm telling you. I'm fine." My friend responded as he smiled sadly.

Who is he trying to fool? He's obviously not fine!

"Father?" She asks with concern.

He smiled. "I'm fine."

"You still haven't answered my question. Where is she?"

He clenched his fist. "She's gone."

"Gone?" She said confused. "Gone where?" It means that she's dead. I thought sadly.

"Someplace very far that I can't find her." He responded as I could see tears forming in his eyes.

"Do you love her as much as mother?"

"Yes." He looked down at her smiling sadly. "I loved her very much."

We glanced at each other and nodded. Astrid…

"Do you love mother more or do you love her more?"

Our eyes widen. They are two different people. How can he compare the two?

"Serenity," His father started to say.

"I'm fine, father." My friend said.

"I don't think you-" His mother started.

"I said that I'm fine, mother."

He took a deep breath. What is with all of these questions?

"I love the both of them equally." He finally said to her.

"I don't believe you, father." She said as she narrows her gaze at him. Does she think that he loves Astrid more?

"Why is that?"

"Because, if you love two people, one of them will dominate your heart more while the other one just sits there in the back of your mind."

I blinked at her words. How on earth does a little kid know that?

He stroked her hair. "I love them both equally." He reiterated to her.

"Even if Astrid isn't here, you still love her?"

"Serenity," Crystal said. "That's enough."

"Even if she isn't here physically, a person told me that as long as I remember her, she will always be with me." He replied. Someone told him that? Hm… is it Lily?

"So you love her more?"

He shook his head slowly. "No one dominants my heart more. I love them both equally."

"But she's-"

"Serenity," He said cutting her off. "There are just some moments in life that you can't forget. No matter if someone tries to place a seal on your memory or not, it's very hard to forget your first love."

Why is this so painful to listen to? Is it perhaps we are comparing Lily and Astrid?

"She was your first love?"

He nodded. "Yes, yes she was."

"And you can't forget her?"

He shook his head. "No, maybe with time the pain with heal but the scars will always remain."

"Scars?" Astral… he really can't forget her. I thought as I looked at him sadly.

"Yes, you heard me right." He said while clenching his fist. "The scars that she left me will always remain."

She looks at him with concern. "She hit you?"

I chuckled at her innocence. "No, I mean emotional scars."

"How does one leave emotional scars?" She asks in confusion.

"By making me love her then disappearing from my life, never to be found again." He said sadly.

"Ohhhhh."

"So, are you sure that mother can't mend the scars that she left you?"

I just can't watch this go on.

"That's enough asking," I said while looking at her.

"Why?" She replied.

"Because…" Brandon said trailing off.

"Because what?"

"You just can't compare the two like that," Derek told her.

"Why?"

"They are two entirely different people," Star said gently.

"Serenity, maybe with time she will be able to mend it." My friend said looking down at her.

"Maybe with time the pain and scars will fade."

"How long will that be?"

"I don't know."

"I think that you love her more, father." She said as he widens his eyes.

"I love them both equally. They have each stolen a place in my heart." He responded.

"Which person is more important to you? Astrid or mother?"

Serenity! Seriously?!

"Serenity!" Maria exclaimed.

"What is with all of the questions today?" Estella asks her.

"You just can't compare them-" Star said as he cuts her off.

"It's fine. She's just curious." He responded as we all looked shocked.

"Can't you see that she's-" Crystal started.

"It's fine," I said in a cold voice.

I cannot watch him torture himself like this by answering her questions.

"Astral, you are obviously not fine!" I shouted at him.

"What would give you that idea?"

"The way you are speaking to us and your clenched fist says it all," Brandon said gently. Exactly!

"I'm telling you. I am fine." He said trying to keep his voice steady. Only a ghost would believe you.

"But you-" Derek started.

"I said that I am fine with her asking. She's just curious." He said, raising his voice at us as he closed his eyes.

We all sigh. Astral, why are you so stubborn? Why must you force yourself to talk when you are not comfortable with this? Are you trying to prove something to us? Are you trying to prove that you are over her and that her death no longer affects you?

He reopened his eyes and looked at us. "I'm sorry for raising my voice."

We all smiled at him sadly. "It's fine." You are in more pain than we ever realized.

He redirected his attention towards Serenity. "They are equally important to me." He answered softly.

"How?"

He smiled at her. "No one can replace them."

"Can they replace each other?"

He stays quiet for a couple of seconds. I don't think anyone can replace her but…

"Father?" She asks in concern as he blinks.

"Maybe." He responded after a moment. Maybe?

"So, what you are saying is that mother can replace her in your heart?"

I bit my lip. Why is she even comparing them?

"I… um…" He clenched his fist. "I don't know." He finally said.

"But you just said-"

"They are two different people." He explained. "It wouldn't be fair to compare two people and say that one will replace the other like that."

"Okay, so the bottom line is that I love them very much and no one will replace the other." He summarized.

"But you said that maybe with time, the scars and the pain that she gave you will heal-"

"Just because the scars and pain will heal, doesn't mean that she will be gone." My friend calmly explained to her.

"Are you sure that no one, not even mother, can replace her?"

Why is she asking this? "I don't know." He responded with his fist clenched.

"Maybe. Someday… I honestly do not know, Serenity." He took deep breaths to steady himself.

"Father, if Astrid is here right now, would you not love mother anymore?" She asks as my breath hitched in my throat. I could see tears forming as he looked up at the ceiling to stop his tears from dripping. Astral… I'm actually wondering the same thing. Would he just not love Lily anymore?

"That's not possible."

"Huh?"

"She's gone. She can't be here." He said as he clenched his fist.

"Even if I wanted her to stay, she wouldn't." He said in a shaky voice.

"I'm just giving an example. If she is here, would you not love mother anymore?"

"Serenity," His father said sternly. "Stop asking him these questions."

She looks at his father. "Why? If father loves mother then it shouldn't be a difficult question to answer." True. She does have a point but it's not that simple.

"Sweetie," His mother chimed in. "There are just some situations in life that are not black and white as you think they are."

"But still, I'm just asking whether father still loves mother if Astrid is here and in his life. What's wrong with my question?" She asks them in confusion.

He suddenly smiled and look down. "The love that I harbor for Lily is irreplaceable."

Our eyes widen as we smiled. He really loves her.

"Not even she can replace it?"

"No one can replace it. Not even Astrid."

"So, you would still love her if Astrid is here?"

He nodded. "Yes, yes, I would."

"Why?"

Why? Why is she asking that?

"Because life works in mysterious ways. When you least expect it, a person shows up in your life. Then, you realize that you love this person even though you try to resist your own feelings." He said gently, looking into the distance.

"A person very important to me once said that I can't keep living in the past as I did. She urged me to stop and cherish those in front of me, to stop hiding my emotions from people, to look forward." Is that person Lily?

"Is that person mother?"

He nodded. "Yes,"

"Is that when you started to develop feelings for mother?"

He nodded once again. "Without her, I would still be walking aimlessly in the past without a destination. She snapped me out of it and made me see what's directly in front of me." She did? When did that happen?

"I'm confused. Why can't you live in the past?"

"The past is full of memories and regrets. It's not healthy to stay and think about the past for too long. It could cause you to lose sight of the present and make you miss those who you really value in life."

"If it's not good to live in the past, then why do you still think about her?"

He clenched his jaw. Because he loved her.

"Memories take time to fade. The happy ones, sad ones, and everything in between. If you are saying that I need to forget her, sorry, that I can't do."

"Why?"

"Love is not an easy thing to forget. She made an impact on my life that I just can't forget. Maybe with time, I will but if you're saying right now," He shook his head slowly. "No,"

"If mother was suddenly gone from your life, how would you feel?"

If Lily was suddenly gone? I bet he would feel sad.

"Empty." He responded after a moment of silence. Empty?

"Empty? There is that emotion?" She asks in confusion.

"It's not really an emotion, it's more like a feeling you get when the person you love is no longer with you. You feel like something and someone is missing in your life." He said as she tilted her head in confusion.

We all blink at his words. Empty?

"Imagine standing on a beach. The grains of sand underneath your feet and in between your toes. The warm salty breeze ruffling your hair. And the sky is just midnight black and the stars are looking down at you. Just silent and watchful." He started out saying.

"There are no car horns or seagulls. Nothing except the breeze and the sound of the waves lapping."

"Nothing else. And imagine walking closer to the sea. Trying to get closer just so you can look at the waves whose sounds you hear."

"And you walk closer."

"The shoreline should have been here."

"You suddenly realize that you are just a few steps from the shoreline. But there's no water. And you listen closely and realize… you can't hear the waves."

"There's just a deep impression of where the sea used to be deep. A deep and wide pit extending as far as your eyes can see." He finished looking at her as she nods a bit.

"It sounds sad and lonely." She said with sadness in her voice.

"Yea, it is sad. It's one of the worst feelings out there that a person can experience."

Yeah, it does sound sad and depressing. Who knew that he is so deep.

"If you know this, then you must have experienced this right?"

He nods. "Yea, I have experienced it."

"It's like that you are just existing. You feel no emotions. Not anger, sadness, happiness, regret. You feel nothing. You feel like there is a void in your heart that can't be filled."

"What's existing?"

He smiled as he looked at her, patting her on the head. "Existing is you are just there in the world. You are essentially lost. There is no purpose that you are alive. You feel nothing. No emotions whatsoever. It's lonely. You are just walking around like a zombie wanting to cease to exist." He explained to her.

How does he know all of this? Does this knowledge come with age or something? If so, how come I didn't know about this?

"And living is the opposite?"

"Yes, when you live you feel emotions. You have a purpose, someone who you care about and who loves you. You feel happy, sad, every emotion."

"So are you living or existing, Father?"

His eyes widen. "Why are you asking me that?"

"I'm curious." She said as she looked up at him smiling. Just what is up with her questions today?

He smiled as he ruffled her hair. "I'm living."

"I know, father!"

"What is up with all of the questions today?"

She giggled as he tickled her. I looked at everyone. They had shocked faces upon them. I expected those words to come from someone older but apparently, no. Just how does he know that feeling? Wait, if he felt it before, then… I sigh as I looked at him. Just how much pain are you hiding through that aloof yet happy exterior of yours, Astral?

Astral's POV:

I walked into the room, carrying Phoenix in my arms as I gently shut the door to my room. Did she hear the conversation out there?

I gently put my son in his crib and walked over towards her, sitting on the bed smiling at me. She certainly looks better than before.

"How are you feeling?" I ask softly.

"The doctor gave me some medicine for my migraine so it's a lot better now." She responded as I nod. Should I just ask her?

"Astral," She suddenly said after a couple of minutes of silence. "Is what you said out in the hallway true?"

What does she mean? Does she mean…!

She avoided my gaze as I looked at her. "My love, look at me," I said as I gently held her hand.

She bit her lip. "I know that I will never be able to replace her no matter how-"

"Lily, you are not a replacement for her," I said firmly as she looked at me in disbelief.

"You are in no way, shape, or form a replacement for her. You are your own person."

"But-"

"Do you think I only love you because you act like her?" I exclaimed as she looked down. How could she think that?

I shook my head. "You are more than that, Lily." I began as I lifted her head to meet mine. "I can guarantee you are not a replacement for her."

"I know that but-"

"No one will or can replace you in my heart. Not even her. You have successfully stepped into my heart space and left your imprint on my life." I said softly as she widens her eyes.

"How did you know that I was thinking that?" She asks in disbelief.

I smiled as I stroked her hair slowly. "Of course I know what you are thinking."

"I know that I will never be enough for you." She said sadly as tears streamed down her face. "You will always love her."

I blinked at her words. Yes, I loved Astrid but that doesn't mean that…

I brought up my fingers to wipe her tears as she looked at me. "It's true that I can't forget her. She left me emotional scars that I can't forget." I started. "But that doesn't mean I will live in the past again."

"You were the one who snapped me out of the past and into the present. Without you, I would still be lost, wandering with no destination."

"I would be incomplete without you. Just like the stars are incomplete without the moon." I said softly while caressing her cheek.

"I might think about her from time to time but that doesn't change the fact that you are my only shining star in my life."

"Astral…" She whispered my name in shock as tears flowed down her face. I smiled as I looked lovingly into her eyes. "You will be my only shining star in my life. You are the light to my darkness, star to my moon, the yin to my yang."

"You are irreplaceable to me, my love. I hope that you know that." I whispered as our lips connected.

We both closed our eyes slowly, enjoying this moment of peace and understanding between us. No one will ever replace you, Lily.

We slowly broke the kiss as we stared at each other in silence. No words need to be exchanged between us.

I lovingly stroked her hair with a smile on my face. "Promise me that you won't think that again, my love."

She nodded. "I promise." She said with a smile.

Her eyes widen as she covered her mouth and flew to the restroom. The migraine must have started again.

I sigh as I walked towards the restroom to find her leaning over the toilet bowl, panting heavily as she groaned.

"It must be this migraine again," I said while patting her on the back.

"Yep," She responded weakly and emptied her stomach once more.

"That reminds me," I started to ask her. "You need some food. You haven't eaten anything since this morning."

She shook her head. "No, I don't think I would be able to stomach anything."

She emptied her stomach once again, looking pale. If she doesn't eat anything then she will get sick.

"If you don't eat anything then-"

"I know, but when I smell the smell of food, it makes me nauseous." She replied weakly as I guided her back to the bed.

"Ok," I said as I summoned up some soup in a bowl. "How does it smell? Does it make you nauseous like this morning?"

"Surprisingly not." She said as her stomach growled from hunger.

I guided her to the couch and placed the soup on the table. "Here," I handed her a spoon. "You must be hungry, so I want you to eat this whole bowl of Chicken Noodle soup."

She looked at me in shock as I sat down next to her. "Seriously? This whole bowl?"

I nodded, "Yes, my love, the whole thing."

She pouted. Cute! "Do I have to?"

I chuckled. "Yes, you have to. How else do you expect to get better?"

She continues to pout as I smiled. "Sorry, but you won't change my mind with that cute pout of yours."

"But what if I get nauseous again?" She asks looking at me.

"Still, you have to eat something. You can't just go an entire day without eating." I reasoned.

"If I remember correctly, you have once gone days on end without eating. So why is it different when I do it?" True, but I starved myself for a specific reason.

"True, but still, that doesn't change the fact that you have to have some food in your system. Starving yourself isn't healthy."

"No," She crossed her arms. "I'm not eating!" She whined. Even when she's angry, she's cute.

"I'm not going to change my mind on this. You are eating." I said looking at her.

"No."

"You're eating."

"No."

"You're eating."

"No."

"You're eating," I said with a sigh.

"No. I'm not eating!" She exclaimed.

I sigh once more. Looks like desperate measures are called for.

"I will ask you one last time, will you eating the soup?"

She turned back to me with her arms uncrossed. "No, and there is no way that you can force me."

Oh, you would be surprised.

"Looks like you want to do this the hard way huh?" I said as I smirked, holding the bowl of soup in my hands.

She blinked at me in confusion. "What do you mean?" She asks nervously.

I slowly slid closer to her as she slid further down the couch. "W-What are you-" Her eyes widen as I stuck a spoonful of soup into her mouth. Seeing no other choice, she swallowed it.

"Y-You-" She said with a blush rising on her face.

I smiled. "What? I ask nicely the first couple of times but you didn't listen so you forced my hand."

"True but you don't need to-" I cut her off by putting another spoonful in her mouth.

"This is the only way that I can get you to eat," I said as I looked at her and shook my head slowly. "You are too stubborn for your own good sometimes you know that?"

"Heyyy! Take that back!" She said angrily as I stuck another spoonful into her mouth.

"Why?" I said innocently. "After all, I find it adorable." I complimented as she blushed.

"So, are you going to eat?" I ask her once more.

"No!" She exclaimed, looking at me.

"Looks like you want me to spoon feed then," I smirked at her. "Say ahh!"

She blushed and opened her mouth as I fed her. "Admit it, you actually enjoy this don't you?"

A red dust spread across her face as I fed her again. I chuckled. "I take your silence as a yes."

She's so adorable!

"You know? You are very lucky." I said as I fed her another spoonful of soup.

She tilted her head in confusion. "Huh?"

"This is my first ever time spoon-feeding someone," I admitted making her eyes widen.

"Really?" She exclaimed in disbelief.

I nodded. "Yup," I said as I fed her again.

"What about Crystal? Haven't you fed her?"

I laughed. "Another funny story, when I was little, I tried to feed her but I spilled everything on her. Then she never let me spoon feed her again."

She giggled. "Really? Wow, your relationship with her was sure eventful. First, the brush incident. Now, this."

"Yeah, and I'm not even sure how I got that brush stuck in her hair," I muttered as she giggled.

I stuck another spoonful into her mouth. "Oh, and remember when you got married to her?" She said laughing a bit.

I smiled as I recalled that memory. "Yeah, it was an interesting experience, to say the least."

Is she jealous? I thought as I looked at her.

"I bet it was! I mean like acting like you love your sister in a romantic sort of way must have been tiring."

I stuck another spoonful in her mouth as I laughed. "It wasn't that tiring actually," I said as her eyes widen.

"What do you mean?" She asks as she looked at me in confusion.

I smiled. "I actually got used to calling her by pet names."

She frowned. "Really?"

"Yeah, it's not that hard to do."

"Well, I think that it's a hard thing to do. Especially, if you don't have romantic feelings for that person." She exclaimed as I fed her another spoonful. I was right. She is jealous.

"Yup. I was calling her by sweetie, darling, milady, honey, and sweetheart." I said as I glanced at her waiting to see her reaction.

"Well, good for you that you find it so easy to call other women by pet names." She said as she crossed her arms and glared at me.

I put the bowl on the table as I looked at her. "Why are you glaring at me?"

She huffed. "I'm not glaring at you."

I leaned closer to her. "That expression that you have on your face…" I smirked. "Ah, I see what's going on."

"What are you talking about?"

I leaned closer towards her as she blushed. "You are jealous. Aren't you?"

"I-I have no idea what you are talking about." She said with a blush rising.

"Sure, pretend all you want but I know that you are jealous that I called her by those romantic pet names," I said as I leaned back and picked up the bowl of soup.

"Say ah!" I fed her the last of the soup.

"See? I told you that it would be fine." I said as I made the bowl disappear and looked at her.

I leaned in until our lips were inches apart. "Just admit it, you were jealous of Crystal weren't you?"

"I wasn't." She said with a blush, trying to keep her voice steady.

Oh? Looks like I need to find another way to make her admit it.

"Oh? So if I go out there and call her by milady or darling, you wouldn't feel even a tiny hint of jealously?"

"I…" She trailed off with a blush as she bit her lip.

I narrowed my eyes as I got up from the couch. "W-Where are you going?"

"I will go out there and call her by endearing pet names," I said as I slowly walk towards the door. Any minute now…

"Stop!" She shouted as she got off the couch.

I turned back towards her with the best-confused expression that I could muster up. "Why? Is there something wrong with calling her by those names?"

"You can't call her by those pet names." She said as she walked closer to me.

"Why is that, darling?" I ask her in confusion.

"I won't let you call anyone by those names." She said with a blush.

I smirked. "Why won't you let me? They are just terms of endearment and affection."

She stayed quiet as I said that. She's still not admitting it. I got to find a way to… My eyes widen as I suddenly thought of a way.

Forgive me, Maria, Lilith, and Estella.

"You know what?" I said with a smile on my face. "I might as well call Maria, Star, and Estella by pet names as well."

Her eyes widen as she glared at me. "Don't you dare call any other woman by pet names!" She said in an angry tone. I smirked internally. I got her!

I blinked. "Why?" I ask in confusion as she walked towards me. "It's just pet names."

Just admit it, you are-

My thought got cut off as she suddenly pinned me towards a wall. What is she up to?

"What are you doing, sweetie?"

"Don't you dare call any other woman by pet names." She said in anger as she looked at me.

I tilted my head to the side. "Why?"

"I don't allow you to!" She exclaimed as she glared at me.

"But why is that, milady?"

She stayed quiet as she went into deep thought. Hm… what should I do to get her to-

Her lips smashed into mine, cutting off my train of thoughts.

She bit my lip gently and slid her warm tongue inside my mouth as her hands wrapped around my neck. Mhm… she tastes like chicken from the soup.

My arms went around her waist as I pulled her closer to deepen the kiss. Our tongues fought for dominance but eventually, I won and slid into her mouth, making her moan in excitement as I explored. She gently bit my lower lip making me shiver as a jolt of pleasure went down my spine. Oh god…

After a couple of minutes, we broke the kiss with us both panting. "Don't you dare call any other woman by endearing and affectionate pet names." She said with a blush.

"Why is that?" I ask her. I'm still trying to get her to admit that she's jealous.

"You are not allowed to."

"And why is that?"

"You are only allowed to call me by pet names." She whispered as she blushed and looked away.

"So, what you are saying is that you don't want me to call any other woman by pet names because you are jealous?" I said as I smirked. Mission accomplished!

She nodded as I burst out laughing. I can't believe that I actually got her to admit it.

A look of confusion suddenly morphs into shock and disbelief as she hits me on the back, making me retreat a couple of steps in pain. "You tricked me!" She said as she walked towards the couch and sat down.

I smiled at her. "How else will I get you to admit that you were jealous?" I countered as I smirked.

"Don't worry, my love," I said as I held her hand gently. "I only intend to call you by pet names."

A deep shade of crimson appeared on her face as I said that. Her eyes widen. "I just hit your back." She said as she took off my shirt to see my back. "Oh god,"

She materialized some ointment and applied it to the scratches, making me hiss. How does this hurt even more than yesterday?

"I am so sorry." She started to apologize. "I didn't-"

"It's fine, my love." I interrupted her apology. There is no reason for her to apologize.

"But still, I-"

"It's not your fault," I said cutting her off.

"But-"

"Stop. It is not your fault." I reiterated to her.

"Alright," She said after a couple of seconds of hesitancy. "Does it hurt?" She asks softly.

"I can manage through the pain," I said, hissing as she applied the ointment.

"That's what you said last night as well. Are you sure?" She asks in concern.

I nodded. "I can endure it for a couple of days. Plus, having you apply ointment to my back. I must be the luckiest guy in the world."

She blushed. "Stop it with the flattery." She said in a quiet voice.

I laughed. "I'm serious though, I must be the luckiest guy in the world to have such a beautiful, kind, and understanding lover like you."

Even though I can't see her, I have a feeling that she is blushing. "And I must be the luckiest girl in the universe to have such a kind, considerate and reliable lover such as yourself."

My heartbeat quickened at her words. "Ow!" I hissed as she applied it. "I'm sorry, I will be more gentle." She said quickly as her soft fingers touched my back. Oh my… don't think any inappropriate thoughts.

After a couple of minutes, she was done and screwed in the cap. "Okay,"

"You can put your shirt back on now." She said with a blush as she looked away. I rolled my eyes as I buttoned up my shirt. What's there to be embarrassed about? She saw it all yesterday.

"Oh, by the way," I said as I looked at her. "Do you have any plans today?"

She ponders a bit. "No, I'm free all day. Why?" She asks in confusion.

Why am I so nervous? I invited her to go outside with me a bunch of times before.

"I was wondering if you like to go on a stroll with me," I said quickly then added. "It's fine if you don't want to."

I bit the inside of my cheek as I waited for her response. Seconds felt like hours as I held my breath in anticipation. Why am I so nervous? And why is she taking so long to respond? Does she not want to go with me?

"You mean like a… date?" She asks me as I quickly looked away.

"I-I um I mean if you want to call it that." I stuttered out as I looked at her. Why am I stuttering?

She beams. "Of course I want to go with you." Really?

We looked at each other as we smile. "So when are we going?" She asks in curiosity. Hmmm…

"How about now?" I suggested as we stood up.

She nodded then looked over at our son. "But if we leave, who would take care of him?"

Good point… I smile. "My parents and the others can take care of him for us," I said.

"Ok," She said walking towards the crib, looking at our son while he giggled and coos. "I'm sure that they will understand."

Crystal's POV:

We all leaned against the door to hear the conversation from inside as our parents all looked at us with a sigh. They are probably wondering why are we listening to the conversation. But to be fair, they are also listening in as well.

"How are you feeling?" My brother asks her softly.

"The doctor gave me some medicine for my migraine so it's a lot better now." She responded. That's good. At least that will lessen the migraine.

"Astral," She suddenly said after a couple of minutes of silence. "Is what you said out in the hallway true?" Did she hear that whole conversation?

"My love, look at me." He said gently.

"I know that I will never be able to replace her no matter how-"

"Lily, you are not a replacement for her." He said firmly.

"You are in no way, shape, or form a replacement for her. You are your own person."

"But-"

"Do you think I only love you because you act like her?" So he remembers that she acts like her.

"You are more than that, Lily." He said. "I can guarantee you are not a replacement for her."

"I know that but-"

"No one will or can replace you in my heart. Not even her. You have successfully stepped into my heart space and left your imprint on my life." He said softly.

"How did you know that I was thinking that?" She asks in disbelief.

"Of course I know what you are thinking."

"I know that I will never be enough for you." She said in a sad tone. "You will always love her."

We looked at each other. Well, indeed, he can't forget her but that doesn't mean that he doesn't love you.

"It's true that I can't forget her. She left me emotional scars that I can't forget." He said. "But that doesn't mean I will live in the past again."

"You were the one who snapped me out of the past and into the present. Without you, I would still be lost, wandering with no destination."

"I would be incomplete without you. Just like the stars are incomplete without the moon." He said softly. Wow…

"I might think about her from time to time but that doesn't change the fact that you are my only shining star in my life."

"Astral…" She whispered his name in shock.

"You will be my only shining star in my life. You are the light to my darkness, star to my moon, the yin to my yang." He said as we look at each other with smiles.

"You are irreplaceable to me, my love. I hope that you know that." He whispered as the room went quiet.

"Who knew that he has a way with words," Zach said as he blinks in shock.

We all nodded as we listened in again.

"Promise me that you won't think that again, my love."

"I promise." She said softly.

We could hear footsteps running towards the restroom from inside the room. It must be that migraine again.

"It must be this migraine again." He said.

"Yep," She responded weakly. Poor Lily…

"That reminds me," He said. "You need some food. You haven't eaten anything since this morning."

"No, I don't think I would be able to stomach anything."

"If you don't eat anything then-"

"I know, but when I smell the smell of food, it makes me nauseous." She replied weakly.

"Ok," He said. "How does it smell? Does it make you nauseous like this morning?"

"Surprisingly not." She said. What smell?

"Here," He said. "You must be hungry, so I want you to eat this whole bowl of Chicken Noodle soup." Oh, that explains it.

"Seriously? This whole bowl?"

"Yes, my love, the whole thing."

"Do I have to?"

He chuckled. "Yes, you have to. How else do you expect to get better?"

"Sorry, but you won't change my mind with that cute pout of yours."

"But what if I get nauseous again?"

"Still, you have to eat something. You can't just go an entire day without eating." He reasoned.

"If I remember correctly, you have once gone days on end without eating. So why is it different when I do it?" She said as I blinked. He went days without eating?

"True, but still, that doesn't change the fact that you have to have some food in your system. Starving yourself isn't healthy."

"No," She said. "I'm not eating!" She whined.

"I'm not going to change my mind on this. You are eating." He said.

"No."

"You're eating."

"No."

"You're eating."

"No."

"You're eating." He said with a sigh.

"No. I'm not eating!" She exclaimed.

We all stifled a laugh. Those two and their bickering.

"I will ask you one last time, will you eating the soup?"

"No, and there is no way that you can force me."

"Looks like you want to do this the hard way huh?" He said. What does he mean by the hard way?

"What do you mean?" She asks nervously.

"W-What are you-" Her sentence got cut off somehow as we leaned in closer towards the door to listen in. What did he do?

"Y-You-" Why is she stuttering?

"What? I ask nicely the first couple of times but you didn't listen so you forced my hand."

"True but you don't need to- " She was cut off again. Just what is he doing?

"This is the only way that I can get you to eat." He said. "You are too stubborn for your own good sometimes you know that?" Yeah, she is too stubborn for her own good.

"Heyyy! Take that back!" She said angrily.

"Why?" He said. "After all, I find it adorable." He complimented her.

"So, are you going to eat?"

"No!" She exclaimed.

"Looks like you want me to spoon feed then," He said. "Say ahh!" Ohhhhh, that explains why she was cut off.

"Admit it, you actually enjoy this don't you?"

He chuckled. "I take your silence as a yes."

"You know? You are very lucky."

"Huh?"

"This is my first ever time spoon-feeding someone." He admitted.

"Really?" She exclaimed in disbelief.

"Yup,"

"What about Crystal? Haven't you fed her?" He did feed me once, it ended in a disaster though

He laughed. "Another funny story, when I was little, I tried to feed her but I spilled everything on her. Then she never let me spoon feed her again."

All eyes went on me. "Really?" Maria asks.

"He spilled food all over you?" Star said in disbelief.

"Yeah, it was a disaster. You should've seen it." I said nodding as we all listened once more.

She giggled. "Really? Wow, your relationship with her was sure eventful. First, the brush incident. Now, this." He told her about the brush incident?

"Brush incident?" Estella asks as I facepalmed.

"Yeah, and I'm not even sure how I got that brush stuck in her hair." He muttered as she giggled.

"Never mind." She said. You know what? I'm glad that I am listening because If I didn't, who knows how many things that will bring up about me.

"Oh, and remember when you got married to her?" She said laughing a bit. Oh, that…

"Yeah, it was an interesting experience, to say the least."

"I bet it was! I mean like acting like you love your sister in a romantic sort of way must have been tiring." Believe me, it was definitely tiring and I forced myself to say those endearing terms to him.

He laughed. "It wasn't that tiring actually."

"What do you mean?"

"I actually got used to calling her by pet names." Really? He got used to calling me by pet names?

The others looked at me as I shrugged.

"Really?" There is something off about her tone…

"Yeah, it's not that hard to do."

"Well, I think that it's a hard thing to do. Especially, if you don't have romantic feelings for that person." She exclaimed.

"Yup. I was calling her by sweetie, darling, milady, honey, and sweetheart." He said. Why is he saying these things to her?

"Well, good for you that you find it so easy to call other women by pet names." She said. Oh, this isn't good…

"Why are you glaring at me?"

She huffed. "I'm not glaring at you."

"That expression that you have on your face…" He trailed off. "Ah, I see what's going on."

"What are you talking about?"

"You are jealous. Aren't you?"

"I-I have no idea what you are talking about." She said.

"Sure, pretend all you want but I know that you are jealous that I called her by those romantic pet names." He said. Ah, ok, so she's jealous. I guess that's understandable.

"Say ah!"

"See? I told you that it would be fine." My brother said.

"Just admit it, you were jealous of Crystal weren't you?"

"I wasn't."

"Oh? So if I go out there and call her by milady or darling, you wouldn't feel even a tiny hint of jealously?"

Our eyes widen. "Is he trying to provoke her or something?" Brandon asks us.

"I guess that he's trying to make her admit that she is jealous," Derek said as we all nodded.

"I…" She trailed off.

"W-Where are you going?"

"I will go out there and call her by endearing pet names." He said as we heard footsteps approaching the door. Is he for real?

"Stop!" She shouted.

"Why? Is there something wrong with calling her by those names?"

"You can't call her by those pet names." She said as we could hear her footsteps approach him.

"Why is that, darling?" He asks her in confusion. Is he just joking or does he really not know?

"I won't let you call anyone by those names."

"Why won't you let me? They are just terms of endearment and affection." Okay, he's teasing her. There is no way that he is this clueless.

She stayed quiet as he said that.

"You know what?" He said. "I might as well call Maria, Star, and Estella by pet names as well."

We all widen our eyes and looked at each other. He really wants her to admit that she's jealous.

"Don't you dare call any other woman by pet names!" She said in an angry tone. Don't fall into his trap!

"Why?" He asks. "It's just pet names."

All of a sudden, we heard a thump in the wall. She must've pushed him into a wall.

"What are you doing, sweetie?"

"Don't you dare call any other woman by pet names." She said in anger. Can't you see this is all part of his plan?

"Why?"

"I don't allow you to!"

"But why is that, milady?"

We waited for a couple of minutes for a response but heard none. We all looked at each other in confusion. Why is it so quiet?

"Don't you dare call any other woman by endearing and affectionate pet names." She said.

"Why is that?" He asks her.

"You are not allowed to."

"And why is that?"

"You are only allowed to call me by pet names." She whispered. Lily! You have fallen into his trap!

"So, what you are saying is that you don't want me to call any other woman by pet names because you are jealous?"

He burst out laughing. "You tricked me!" She exclaimed.

"How else will I get you to admit that you were jealous?" He countered.

"Don't worry, my love." He said. "I only intend to call you by pet names." Aw, I never knew he could be so sweet.

"I just hit your back." She said in panic. "Oh god,"

"I am so sorry." She started to apologize. "I didn't-"

"It's fine, my love." He interrupted her apology.

"But still, I-"

"It's not your fault."

"But-"

"Stop. It is not your fault." He reiterated to her.

"Alright," She said after a couple of seconds of hesitancy. "Does it hurt?" She asks softly. Why is she so worried that she hit his back?

"I can manage through the pain." He said, hissing as she applied the ointment.

"That's what you said last night as well. Are you sure?" She asks in concern. Last night? What happened last night?

"I can endure it for a couple of days. Plus, having you apply ointment to my back. I must be the luckiest guy in the world."

"Stop it with the flattery." She said in a quiet voice.

He laughed. "I'm serious though, I must be the luckiest guy in the world to have such a beautiful, kind, and understanding lover like you."

We blinked and looked at each other. I could tell that we have the same thought. Is this even the same Astral anymore?

I guess that love does change people.

"And I must be the luckiest girl in the universe to have such a kind, considerate and reliable lover such as yourself."

"Ow!" He hissed in pain. "I'm sorry, I will be more gentle." She said quickly.

After a couple of minutes. "Okay,"

"You can put your shirt back on now." She said quickly. My eyes widen in shock as a thought flew into my mind. She… he… they… A blush appeared on my face. They did it?

Zach sighed as he looks at me. "Judging from your expression, you didn't know?"

I shook my head. "How was I supposed to know anyway?

"Well, now you know," Maria said.

"Where did you think he got those scratches from?" Star asks me.

I don't know. I blushed at that thought.

"Oh, by the way," He said. "Do you have any plans today?"

"No, I'm free all day. Why?" She asks in confusion. Why is he asking her that?

"I was wondering if you like to go on a stroll with me." He said quickly then added. "It's fine if you don't want to."

Is this what I think it is?

"You mean like a… date?" She asks him, after a couple of minutes of silence. Yes! So it is what I thought it was!

"I-I um I mean if you want to call it that." He stuttered out.

"Of course I want to go with you."

"So when are we going?" She asks in curiosity.

"How about now?" He suggested as they stood up.

"But if we leave, who would take care of him?"

"My parents and the others can take care of him for us." My brother said.

"Ok," She said. "I'm sure that they will understand."

We quickly back away from the door as they unlocked it and walked out, carrying their son.

Maria's POV:

They both sigh as they looked at all of us. "Have you people ever heard of privacy?" He began as he shook his head.

"We told them," His father said. "But they wouldn't listen."

They both let out a sigh. "Anyway," Lily said, looking at her parents. "Can you babysit him for us?"

This is a good time to tease them. "Why?" I ask. "Are you two going somewhere?"

"We're just going on a stroll outside." She responded.

I glanced at the rest of them with a knowing smile. "And why can't you take him with you?" Star asks innocently as they looked at her.

"Um…" He trailed off looking at Lily.

"Mother, father," Serenity said suddenly as she held their hands. "Can I go as well?"

They looked at each other, looked down at her, then looked at each other again. I bet they are thinking that if she comes along, that it will be more of a family outing than a date.

"Please?" She looks at them with those super cute eyes. Uh-oh…

"Serenity," He started.

She tilted her head and pouted at them. Oh, dear… Such a deadly weapon.

"Can I come with you?" She asks again as she swung their hands back and forth, making them have a conflicted expression.

"You…" Lily said, trailing off as she looked at her expression.

"We…" They simultaneously say as they trailed off as tears welled up in her eyes. "Okay," Lily said as she gave in and wiped her tears from her face. "You can come with."

"Yay!" She exclaimed as she hugged her, making her stiffen at the contact. What was that about? Why did she suddenly get so tense?

She lets go of her as soon as she senses her tense figure. "Mother?"

"Is Lily okay?" I ask in concern as Astral held her hand gently.

"I'm fine." She said quietly as she throws a quick smile at him. "It's just-"

"She's still not used to other people touching her because of what happened yesterday." He interrupted her. Ah, that makes sense.

"But apparently, you're able to touch her just fine," Zach said, looking at the both of them.

"Of course," He said smiling.

"Well, since Serenity is coming along with you," Her mother said. "Why not bring Phoenix along as well?"

We all nodded. "Fresh air and a change of scenery will be good for him." The Queen said as they nodded.

"Ok," She said. "We will bring him along as well."

"If you two are bringing them along," Star started.

"Can we come along as well?" Estella asks as they widen their eyes in shock.

I stifle a laugh. At this rate, everyone will end up going.

"Why?" He asks as he looks at us.

"Why not?" I countered.

"Yeah, Serenity and Phoenix are already tagging along so what difference will it make if we went with?" Crystal asks in confusion.

"Um-"

They gazed into each other's eyes for a couple of minutes without blinking and nodded reluctantly.

"Fine," He said. "You can all come with."

We all smiled. Yes!

Lilith's POV:

Yes, we successfully managed to follow them. Right now, we are following them back at a distance while they walk peacefully through the streets with Serenity and Phoenix.

"So," Crystal asks. "Do you think that they are enjoying their date?"

"Do you think this is a date?" Zach said as he walked the streets behind them. "To me, it looks more like a family outing."

I nod. "I agree."

It's their fault for not being able to resist her eyes but to be fair, she is cute but deadly in terms of manipulation. I shook my head as I smiled.

We all trailed at a distance as Serenity suddenly starts to pull his arm towards one of the shops. Does she want him to buy her something?

"Is he buying a stuffed teddy bear for her?" Estella asks us as Astral gave her the teddy bear. Sure looks like it.

"Yup," We all responded as we looked at the scene.

(Flash):

"Mother!" I shouted as I dragged her towards a store.

"What is it, Star?"

I frowned as I looked at my parents and older brother.

"I'm not Starlight," I said as their shock expressions morph into smiles.

"Oh, Lilith!" My mother exclaimed.

"What is it, sweetie?" My father said as he kneeled and stroked my hair.

"Mother, father, can you buy me something?" I ask them as my brother 15-year-old brother picked me up.

"What is it that you want us to buy?" He said poking my nose softly, making me giggle.

"A teddy bear!" I exclaimed loudly as they smile.

"Of course," She said smiling as my father ruffled my hair.

"Here you go, little sis!"

I tackled him into a hug. "Thank you older brother!"

"Don't mention it."

I looked down. "Even though I'm not Star, you still would buy things for me?" I ask them in disbelief.

My mother picked me up. "We had this conversation before, Lilith."

"Whether you are Star or Lilith, you are still my daughter and I intend to love you whoever you may be."

"But I'm not-"

My father smiled. "Lilith, you are a part of Star, which means that you are my daughter. It also means that you are family."

"Exactly, little sis. Whether you are Star or Lilith, you are still my little sister."

I smiled as tears dripped down my face. "Thank you. Thank you for accepting me."

They all hugged me and smiled. "You are always a part of this family."

(Flash)

Mother… Father… Older brother… I clench my fist. I swear, I will kill him if it's the last thing that I do.

"Here." Astral walked up to me and handed me a stuffed teddy bear.

I blinked at him. What?

"What?" I said staring at him with confusion.

He smiled. "I saw you eyeing this bear, so I brought you one."

"When did you get here? I thought you were-"

He sighs as he looks at us. "All of you somehow managed to turn this into a family outing."

"To be fair," Crystal said. "It's your fault for not resisting her eyes."

We all nodded. "She has a secret weapon," Derek said.

"Cute but deadly," Estella said.

I looked back at him in shock. "You didn't have to-"

"Just take it as a gift. It clearly has a special meaning to you."

"How-"

"Your eyes say it all." He responded as he held out the bear.

(Flash):

"Here you go, little sis." He said while handing me the bear.

(Flash)

I tackled him into a hug, wrapping my arms around his neck, making him stiffen. "Thank you older brother!" I exclaimed happily as he pats me on the back.

"Don't mention it."

Wait… What am I doing? I blinked as I broke the hug between us. This isn't my older brother. This is Astral.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to-" I started to apologize for hugging him.

He smiles. "Don't worry about it."

"But-"

"This bear has a special meaning to you, right? Did your older brother gift it to you?"

I nodded. "Yeah, he did a long time ago," I said as I remembered him with my fist clenched.

I looked at him. "Thank you for gifting me this, Astral. It really means a lot to me."

He shakes his head. "Don't mention it. It's not the original bear anyway."

He puts a hand on my shoulder, leaned closer towards me, and whispered into my ear softly. "Lilith, don't worry. We will find a way to kill him. Your family's death won't be in vain."

I widen my eyes in shock as he backed away from me. He…

I looked at him in disbelief as he nodded. Is he really going to support me in killing Don Thousand?

"Can I ask you a favor?" I ask quietly as I avoided his gaze.

He tilted his head to the side. "What is it?"

"Can you…" I trailed off as I bit my lip.

"Can you…" I started again as I trailed off. Why is this so hard?

"Can I what?" He asks softly.

I took a deep breath. "Can you-"

"If you are asking my brother to kiss you then I-"

"What?!" He exclaimed in shock as he looked at me. "I don't see you in that way." He said quickly as he removed his hand from my shoulder.

I glared at Crystal. I don't see him that way either.

"I don't like you that way and I wasn't about to ask that," I replied calmly as I glared at her.

"Really?" His sister asks me.

"It sounded like you were about to ask that," Maria said looking at me.

I rolled my eyes as I looked back at him. "Can you…" I trailed off as he hugged me. What?

"You can call me your older brother for as long as you like." He said making my eyes widen in shock. Really?

"Really." He said. "I can even be your older brother if you want." He suggested.

Tears flowed from my face for the first time as I hugged him tightly. "Thank you, older brother," I whispered as I hugged him tighter.

He patted my back. "No need to thank me, little sis." He said calmly. He acts so much like him.

We broke the hug with both of us smiling. "Crystal, you have another sister from now on." He said looking at her as her eyes widen.

"You don't have to-"

"Stop. I always wanted another sister." He responded, cutting me off.

"Welcome to the family, little sis." He said happily as I hugged him again. Thank you, Astral.

Brandon's POV:

"Here." Astral walked up to her and handed her a stuffed teddy bear. Why is he gifting her a bear?

She blinks at him, clearly confused by his actions. I'm confused as well.

"What?" She said staring at him with confusion.

He smiled. "I saw you eyeing this bear, so I brought you one." She was eyeing the bear? He's observant.

"When did you get here? I thought you were-"

He sighs as he looks at us. "All of you somehow managed to turn this into a family outing."

"To be fair," Crystal said. "It's your fault for not resisting her eyes."

We all nodded. "She has a secret weapon," Derek said.

"Cute but deadly," Estella said.

I agree but why did he gift her a stuffed bear?

She looked back at him in shock. "You didn't have to-"

"Just take it as a gift. It clearly has a special meaning to you."

It does?

"How-"

"Your eyes say it all." He responded as he held out the bear.

After a moment of silence, probably from the shock that he is actually giving the bear to her, she tackled him into a hug, wrapping her arms around his neck, making him stiffen. "Thank you older brother!" She exclaimed happily as he pats her on the back.

I glanced at the others who were confused as I was. Older brother?

"Don't mention it."

She blinked as she broke the hug between them.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to-"

He smiles. "Don't worry about it."

"But-"

"This bear has a special meaning to you, right? Did your older brother gift it to you?"

Oh, so her brother got it for her. She must have remembered her older brother at that moment and saw him as her brother. I thought as I nodded.

She nodded. "Yeah, he did a long time ago." She said as her fist clenched.

She looked at him. "Thank you for gifting me this, Astral. It really means a lot to me."

He shakes his head. "Don't mention it. It's not the original bear anyway."

He puts a hand on her shoulder, leaned closer towards her, and whispered into her ear softly. What is he whispering to her?

Her eyes widen in what I guess is shock and surprise as he backed away.

She looked at him in disbelief as he nodded. Just what did he say to her?

"Can I ask you a favor?" She asks quietly as she avoided his gaze.

He tilted his head to the side. "What is it?"

"Can you…" She trailed off. Can he what?

"Can you…"

"Can I what?" He asks softly.

She took a deep breath. "Can you-"

"If you are asking my brother to kiss you then I-"

What is this about a kiss? I thought in shock as I looked at Crystal.

"What?!" He exclaimed in shock as he looked at her. "I don't see you in that way." He said quickly as he removed his hand from her shoulder.

She glared at Crystal. "I don't like you that way and I wasn't about to ask that."

"Really?" His sister asks her.

"It sounded like you were about to ask that," Maria said looking at her.

I furrowed my brow. It did?

She rolled her eyes as she looked back at him. "Can you…" She trailed off as he hugged her suddenly, making our eyes widen.

"You can call me your older brother for as long as you like." He said making my eyes widen in shock. Really? She was going to ask him if she can call him by older brother?

"Really." He said. "I can even be your older brother if you want." He suggested. Wow…

Tears flowed down her face as she hugged him tightly. "Thank you, older brother." She whispered as she hugged him tighter.

We all glanced at each other. This scene… I smiled.

He patted her back. "No need to thank me, little sis." He said calmly.

They broke the hug, smiling. "Crystal, you have another sister from now on." He said looking at her as her eyes widen.

"You don't have to-"

"Stop. I always wanted another sister." He responded, cutting her off.

"Welcome to the family, little sis." He said happily as she hugged him again.

We all smiled as we looked at them. Oh, the love between an older brother and sister…

Lily's POV:

I sigh as I looked at him. So much for this date.

I glanced over towards him to find him giving the bear to Lilith. For some odd reason, he seems to insist on gifting her that bear. I wonder why?

"Mother," Serenity said as I looked down. "Can I go over there to look at things?"

I nodded. "Just don't go too far okay?" I said as I ruffled her hair.

"Okay, mother!"

My son started to giggle in my arms as I looked down and smiled. He sure is cute.

Suddenly, a red-haired man sat down across from me, winking as he smiled. What the?

"Excuse me but who are you?" I ask in confusion.

"Can I have your number? You are really beautiful." He asks as he stared at me. Huh?

I blinked in shock at his words. "I-I'm seeing someone." I stuttered still reeling from the shock that he said that.

He scoffs. "That's the oldest excuse in the book." Does he not see the baby in my arms?

"Can't you see that I'm carrying a child?" I ask him so that he can get the hint.

"Whatever, I don't see a ring on your finger." He said as he leaned closer. Well, that's because I'm not married.

How should I get out of this one…

"Well, um…"

He stands up, walks to me, and grabbed my wrist. "Come with me, babe. Let's have some fun together." He said, winking at me. Uh-oh

(Flash):

"Nobody can save you now, my love. You are mine."

"Stop it! Don't touch me there!"

(Flash)

My heart rate quickened as my body shook. Calm down. Calm down.

"Stop it," I said as I tried to get out of his grip. I looked at the people in the cafe, who quickly turned away. Why aren't they helping me? Can't they see what this guy is doing?

"I'm already seeing someone." I reiterated in hopes of getting him to give up. I can't fight him with a baby in my arms.

"Do you know who I am?" He said as he looked at me, still holding onto my wrist. "I am a Duke. If you marry me, then you will be a Duchess." He bragged. As if I will marry you. Even if you are a Duke, my heart already belongs to someone in a higher position.

"Let go of me!" I exclaimed once more. "Do you know who I am?"

"Oh? Who are you, my sweet?"

All of a sudden, a guy wraps his arm around my shoulder, protectively while gripping the other guy's hand tightly. "Sorry to keep you waiting, darling. Did our child stop crying?" He asks looking down at my arms. Astral? What is he doing here? Wasn't he over there a moment ago?

He looked at me. "Is this guy bothering you?"

"Um…" I trailed off, not knowing what to say in this situation.

"Excuse me, but who are you?" The guy asks, rolling his eyes. "Can't you see that I got here first?"

He glared at him. "I'm her husband." I widen my eyes as I looked at him in shock. Did he just say… husband? I blushed as I could feel my heart rate quicken.

"Come on, who are you fooling. She doesn't even have a ring on her finger."

He smiles as he took out a box and opened it to reveal two rings made of platinum. It's a simple ring but there is an air of elegance to it. On the inside of the rings, 'I love you' was engraved onto it. Why does he have… It looks so pretty yet somewhat familiar as well…

He looks at me lovingly as he took my hand and slid the smaller ring onto my ring finger as he slid the larger one on his finger. Is this what I think it means? My heartbeat quickened.

He smiles as he took my hand and slid the ring with the star onto my ring finger and placed the other ring on his finger as well. Is this what I think it means?

I blink in shock. These rings… are wedding rings…

"Seriously? Do you think you are fooling me?" He said looking annoyed. "You obviously just bought those rings. How do you explain that she didn't have her ring on before?"

He glared at him in anger. "She is my wife that I rightfully married and in her arms is our child."

"Who cares if she is your wife. Do you know who I am?" He glared at him, menacingly. "I could have you executed if I want to, you low-life peasant." How dare he speak to him in that manner!

"Do-"

He placed a finger on my lips to silence me. "You are a Duke yes?"

He rolled his eyes. "If you already know that then why do you ask, peasant?"

He smiles at him. "Well, do you know who I am?"

He sneered at him. "I don't take the time to learn about meaningless people like you." Meaningless? Excuse me?

"You claim to be a member of royalty yet you know nothing about who I am or what position I hold?" He questioned as he looks at him.

"Ah, are you royalty as well? Well, you must be a low rank because I never heard of you. Speaking of which, maybe I heard of your name." He ponders. "What's your name, you low life?"

"You want my name?" He asks as he scoffs. "A Duke like you isn't worthy of saying my name."

He clenches his fist and glared at him. "Why you little-"

"But, just to satisfy your curiosity, I will tell you my name."

"Listen carefully because I will only say this once. My name is Astral." He said as his eyes widen. I could hear gasps coming from everyone in the vicinity.

"You! How dare you say the Prince's name so casually. You must have a death wish or something!" He exclaimed as he pointed angrily at my lover. That's because he is the Prince.

Just then, an army arrives at the scene, making everyone back away from us. Why are they here?

"Good, my father is here to teach you a lesson." He said with a smug.

The head of the army took one look at us, widens his eyes, and immediately kneels. "Greetings, Prince Astral," He said as the rest of his soldiers kneeled. Finally!

The guy looks at the head soldier. "Why are you kneeling to him? He's just a low life, good for nothing peasant."

I glared at him as I felt a hand holding mine. He shook his head. I want to punch him in the face.

Suddenly, Serenity came up to us and noticed everyone kneeling except for that guy. "Father, why is everyone kneeling?"

I smiled. "Because your father is the Prince."

"Mother, so that means you are a Princess?"

We both looked at each other as I can see a subtle nod. "Yes,"

I looked back at the Duke, whose face pales as he kneels before us. "Y-Your royal highness, I-I-"

"Oh? What's wrong Duke?"

"Please forgive me for my r-rudeness, your highness." He stutters out.

He narrows his eyes at him. "I distinctly remember not only you called me a lowlife peasant but you also tried to make a move on my beloved."

The Duke pales. "I-I did not know that it was you nor she belonged to you." Why that-

"Your highnesses," A man exclaimed as he flew to us and kneeled. "Please, pardon my son."

"You must be his father."

"Yes, your highness."

"Do you know what he did?" My love said. "Not only he insulted and threatened to execute me, he tried to force my love to do something against her own free will."

"Tell me, should I punish him?"

"Y-Yes, your highness. You absolutely should punish him."

He smirked as the Duke crawls up to me. "Princess, I didn't recognize that it was you. I'm sorry for saying those things to you."

He turns towards my love. "Prince Astral, I-"

"Duke, not only did you threaten me, said things to make my wife uncomfortable, but you also used your authority and royal status to make people fear you and in thus, exploited them for your own advantage." He said calmly.

"I-I-"

"I hereby use my authority as the Prince to strip you of your title and position. You will go back to being a normal citizen for the time frame of 2 months. After that, you will regain your status and power."

"But-"

"Quickly, thank his royal highness!" His father exclaimed as he glared at him.

"Thank you for the light punishment, your highnesses." He bowed before us.

"Hopefully in the time frame of 2 months, you can change up your act," I said as I looked at him.

"Yes, Princess." He said while still kneeling.

"Darling, let's go." He said as he glared at him.

"Goodbye, your royal highnesses." Everyone said as he took my hand and flew away.

Once we got far enough away he stopped and looked at me. Husband? Wife? Rings?

"Husband?" I ask quietly as I could feel my cheeks heating up.

He smiled apologetically. "Sorry, I panicked, plus, if I didn't say that then how would we explain Phoenix and Serenity?"

I nodded. True. "By the way, where did you get the rings?" I ask while examining it. The simple design makes it look more and more like a wedding band.

He blushed. "I bought them out of haste when that guy talked to you."

"I'm sorry." He said. "If you don't like it then take it off and-"

He's joking, right? I looked at him appalled. "Astral, you can't just take back a ring," I said. "Plus, who said that I don't like it?"

"Mother, father, you two were talking to the Duke right?" Serenity asks as she holds his hand.

"Yes, we were," I said.

"I don't like him." She said, frowning.

"Why is that?" He asks softly.

She looks at us. "Because he made mother uncomfortable." Awww…

We both ruffled her hair and smiled.

She then directed her attention to his ring. "Father, why do you and mother have rings on your fingers?" She asks in confusion.

I smiled at her. "He gave it to me."

Her eyes widen. "You two are getting married?" She exclaimed excitedly. What?

Both of our eyes widen as we looked away from each other with blushes on our faces. "No, we are not getting married." We said simultaneously. Yet.

"Anyway, back to what we were saying." I began as I looked at him. "You can't just take back a ring. It doesn't work that way."

"I know but you don't have to-"

"I'm wearing it," I said looking at him. "Besides, I like it. The design is nice."

We glanced at the clock. "It's getting late. We should head back to the palace."

Derek's POV:

I wonder where Lily is? She should be around here somewhere… I widen my eyes as I saw her talking to a red-haired man.

"Astral?" I said as I shook his arm.

"What is it?"

"Look." I pointed towards the cafe where she is.

His eyes widen and narrowed as we all moved closer to hear what they are saying. Does she know that man?

"Excuse me but who are you?" She asks in confusion. That's a no.

"Can I have your number? You are really beautiful." He asks as he stared at her with a lustful look in his eye.

Is he flirting with her? We all glanced at Astral who seemed unaffected by all of this. What the? How is he unaffected by this?

She blinked. "I-I'm seeing someone." She stuttered, from shock and surprise.

He scoffs. "That's the oldest excuse in the book."

You know, now that I think about it, that excuse is really old. I glanced at the spot next to me with surprise. Where's Astral?

"Have you seen Astral anywhere?" I ask in hopes of getting a location.

"He left about 2 minutes ago," Estella said. "He said he had some important business to take care of."

My eyes widen at her words. What's more important than this? A guy is literally flirting with her right now!

"Can't you see that I'm carrying a child?" She asks him.

"Whatever, I don't see a ring on your finger." He said as he leaned closer. That's because she's not married. Astral, just where are you? Can't you see that she needs help?

"Well, um…"

He stands up, walks to her, and grabbed her wrist. "Come with me, babe. Let's have some fun together." He said, winking at her Uh-oh.

"Stop it." She said as she tried to get out of his grip. Astral! Where are you?

"I'm already seeing someone." She reiterated.

"Do you know who I am?" He said as he looked at her, still holding onto her wrist. "I am a Duke. If you marry me, then you will be a Duchess." He bragged. You are a Duke? Really?

"Let go of me!" She exclaimed once more. "Do you know who I am?"

"Oh? Who are you, my sweet?"

All of a sudden, a guy wraps his arm around her shoulder, protectively. "Sorry to keep you waiting, darling. Did our child stop crying?" He asks looking down at her arms.

I smiled. I knew he would show up!

He looked at her. "Is this guy bothering you?"

"Um…" She trailed off.

"Excuse me, but who are you?" The guy asks, rolling his eyes. "Can't you see that I got here first?"

I rolled my eyes. You don't stand a chance. Plus, she's taken. Why can't that guy just take the hint and leave?

He glared at him. "I'm her husband." She widens her eyes in shock as we all hung our mouths open.

"Did I just hear that correctly?" Zach asks us.

"Did he just say that he was her husband?" Maria said in shock.

We all nodded, still in shock at his words. Wow… I was expecting lover or boyfriend but husband? That's surprising…

"Come on, who are you fooling. She doesn't even have a ring on her finger."

He smiles as he took out a box and opened it to reveal two rings made of platinum. What the? Are those rings?

"Are my eyes deceiving me or did he just take out two rings?" I ask in shock.

"I see the rings as well," Star said.

Was that the important business?

He smiles as he took her hand and slid the smaller ring onto her ring finger while he did the same with his ring.

I blink in shock. Those rings… They look like wedding rings…

"Seriously? Do you think you are fooling me?" He said looking annoyed. "You obviously just bought those rings. How do you explain that she didn't have her ring on before?"

He glared at him in anger. "She is my wife that I rightfully married and in her arms is our child." He's a really good liar.

Wow, he actually said wife. I thought in shock as we all looked at the scene.

"Who cares if she is your wife. Do you know who I am?" He glared at him, menacingly. "I could have you executed if I want to, you low-life peasant." How dare he speak to him in that manner! Him execute Astral? I would like to see him try.

"Do-"

He placed a finger on her lips to silence her. "You are a Duke yes?"

He rolled his eyes. "If you already know that then why do you ask, peasant?"

He smiles at him. "Well, do you know who I am?" Is he going to say his title?

He sneered at him. "I don't take the time to learn about meaningless people like you." Meaningless? You are so dead.

"You claim to be a member of royalty yet you know nothing about who I am or what position I hold?" He questioned as he looks at him.

"Ah, are you royalty as well? Well, you must be a low rank because I never heard of you. Speaking of which, maybe I heard of your name." He ponders. "What's your name, you low life?" A low rank? You have got to be kidding me!

"You want my name?" He asks as he scoffs. "A Duke like you isn't worthy of saying my name."

He clenches his fist and glared at him. "Why you little-"

"But, just to satisfy your curiosity, I will tell you my name."

"Listen carefully because I will only say this once. My name is Astral." He said as his eyes widen. I could hear gasps coming from everyone in the vicinity. He revealed it.

"You! How dare you say the Prince's name so casually. You must have a death wish or something!" He exclaimed as he pointed angrily at him. That's because he is the Prince.

Just then, an army arrives at the scene, making everyone back away from them. Why are they here?

"Good, my father is here to teach you a lesson." He said with a smug. More like you will be dead once you find out the truth.

The head of the army took one look at Astral, widens his eyes, and immediately kneels. "Greetings, Prince Astral," He said as the rest of his soldiers kneeled. Finally!

The guy looks at the head soldier. "Why are you kneeling to him? He's just a low life, good for nothing peasant." You still don't get it?

She glared at him as he shook his head. I want to punch him in the face for saying those things.

Suddenly, Serenity came up to them and noticed everyone kneeling except for that guy. "Father, why is everyone kneeling?"

Lily smiled. "Because your father is the Prince."

"Mother, so that means you are a Princess?"

We looked at each other. They aren't married though…

They both looked at each other. "Yes,"

She looked back at the Duke, whose face pales as he kneels before them. "Y-Your royal highness, I-I-"

"Oh? What's wrong Duke?"

"Please forgive me for my r-rudeness, your highness." He stutters out.

He narrows his eyes at him. "I distinctly remember not only you called me a lowlife peasant but you also tried to make a move on my beloved." He's angry.

The Duke pales. "I-I did not know that it was you nor she belonged to you." Why that Duke!

"Your highnesses," A man exclaimed as he flew to them and kneeled. "Please, pardon my son."

"You must be his father."

"Yes, your highness."

"Do you know what he did?" He said. "Not only he insulted and threatened to execute me, he tried to force my love to do something against her own free will."

"Tell me, should I punish him?"

"Y-Yes, your highness. You absolutely should punish him." You should absolutely punish him!

He smirked as the Duke crawls up to her. "Princess, I didn't recognize that it was you. I'm sorry for saying those things to you." Right. I thought sarcastically. And I guess that she's a Princess now.

He turns towards my friend. "Prince Astral, I-"

"Duke, not only did you threaten me, said things to make my wife uncomfortable, but you also used your authority and royal status to make people fear you and in thus, exploited them for your own advantage." He said calmly.

"I-I-"

"I hereby use my authority as the Prince to strip you of your title and position. You will go back to being a normal citizen for the time frame of 2 months. After that, you will regain your status and power." People like him won't last 2 months without power. That's basically worse than death. Good thinking, Astral.

"But-"

"Quickly, thank his royal highness!" His father exclaimed as he glared at him.

"Thank you for the light punishment, your highnesses." He bowed before them.

"Hopefully in the time frame of 2 months, you can change up your act." She said as she looked at him. Yea, I don't think so.

"Yes, Princess." He said while still kneeling.

"Darling, let's go." He said as he glared at him.

"Goodbye, your royal highnesses." Everyone said as he took her hand and flew away.

We all looked at each other. Wow, what a scene… I sure wish I had that authority. Not that I don't have power now but still, I'm illegitimate.

I looked back at the scene as everyone stood up and disperse while the Duke slumped in a chair, lifeless and still in shock. Sucks to be him. Don't go messing around with Lily or else Astral will flip.

"Should we go back to the palace?" Crystal asks as we all nodded.

Estella's POV:

We all flew back to the palace in shock. I still can't believe that he gave her a ring.

"So, when is the marriage you two?" Star asks, teasing the both of them as we all laughed.

He blushed. "No one is getting married, Star," He exclaimed while holding onto Lily's hand.

"Really?" Maria asks them as they both nodded.

"Well, what do you expect us to think when you gave her a ring, older brother?" She said innocently as Astral ruffled her hair playfully.

"I panicked." He said defensively.

"It looked like you were very calm during that situation." Zach chuckled.

"Oh, by the way," Crystal said, turning to her brother. "Do you still have your wedding band when we got married?"

"Yeah, I still have mine." He said, summoning up his wedding band while she summoned up hers.

"You two still have those?" I ask them as they nodded.

"What do we do with the rings?"

"I don't know." He responded, looking confused.

"What is this about rings?" The King asks as he approaches us.

"Yeah," The Queen said. "Is someone getting married?"

"Mother, no one is getting married." He said looking at her.

They got a confused look on their faces. "Then what is this talk about wedding bands?" His father asks in confusion.

Astral and Crystal held out their hand. "What do we do with our wedding bands?" They ask, looking at them.

"You two still have those?" The general asks.

"I thought you had them disposed of already." His wife said in shock.

"I don't know what to do with it so I kept it locked in a box." He said as she nodded.

"I don't know what to do with mine either."

His father puts his hand under his chin. "Well, you could either throw them away or keep them in memory of your marriage and that ceremony."

Really? Can you just throw away rings?

They both looked at each other, then look at the rings and smiled. "We are keeping them."

"Why?" Brandon asks them in confusion. It just feels wrong to throw away a ring like that.

"Because that's the day of our marriage ceremony." He said as he looked at her.

"And because that's the day that I met my brother again." She finished his train of thought.

We all nodded. Seems reasonable.

Enna's POV:

"Mother," Serenity exclaimed while flying up to Star.

"Father bought me a teddy bear!"

She smiled. "That's great, Serenity but I don't think you can call me by mother anymore."

I blinked as I looked at my husband. What? Why?

"Why?" She asks with confusion in her voice.

"Um…" She trailed off as my son kneeled to her level.

They looked at each other and nodded. "Because she is my little sister."

What? "What?!" My husband and I exclaimed in shock as we looked at them.

"Uh…" My husband trailed off, not knowing what to say.

"Mother, father, let me explain." My son said as he sighs.

"I see her as a little sister and she sees me as her older brother."

"Ok, but-" I started to say but got cut off.

Inside the mind link:

"Astral, what is this all about?"

"Just hear me out, you two know that her family died right?"

"Yeah, Don Thousand killed them and took over."

"Well, today, I gifted her a stuffed teddy bear because I saw her eyeing it and gave it to her. She suddenly hugged me and called me her older brother."

"She had an older brother?"

"Yup, so I opted to be her older brother and for her to be my little sister."

"But you two are the same age."

"I'm older than her by a month."

"Really?"

"Yeah, is this okay with you two?"

A beat of silence passed as we thought things over.

"Yeah, it's great! I always wanted another daughter!"

"Plus, it's the least that we can do for her at this time."

"Ok."

Outside of the mind link:

Poor Star.

"Why can't I call you by mother anymore?"

"Because Astral is now my older brother." She said calmly.

"So?"

We all winced at the question. She can't call her by mother anymore because if she calls her by that, people will misunderstand and when that happens…

"Uhh…"

She tilted her head as she looked at them. "Can I still call you by father?" She asks my son.

He smiles. "Yes, of course, you can."

"So why can't I call Star by mother?"

"Because she's my little sister." He said gently.

She still looks confused. "Because she's your sister, I can't call her by mother anymore?"

They nodded. "But why?"

"Let's just say that it's not a good thing to call a brother and sister by mother and father." She said as he nodded.

"Why isn't it a good thing?"

"Because it is not a good thing for family members to have a romantic relationship. He explained to her, hoping that she won't ask any more questions.

"Why is that not a good thing?"

They bit their lip and looked at each other. Oh dear, how will they explain the concept of incest to a child? Well… it's not technically incest because they aren't blood-related but still, people will misunderstand.

He sighs. "A romantic relationship between family members such as a brother and a sister is forbidden." He said gently.

"Why is it forbidden?"

"It just is." She said softly. "You will understand once you get older."

She frowned. "But why is it forbidden?" She asks again.

"It's seen as a bad thing throughout this world."

"Why is it seen as a bad thing?"

"It's just one of those things that are bad."

"Serenity," She said. "You can still call me by Aunt if you want to."

She ponders her words for a moment. "So, I can't call you by mother anymore but I can call you by Aunt?" She clarified.

They both nodded. "Ok, Aunt Star!" She exclaimed happily as she hugs her. Wow, she's taking this well.

"So," My husband said, looking at her. "I guess that you are going to be my daughter from now on."

She looks at my son as he nodded. "Your majesty, I-"

"Don't be so formal with us Star," I said as I walked up to her and held her hand. "I have always seen you as my daughter when my son carried you home."

Her eyes widen. "If you don't want to call us by mother and father, we completely understand." My husband said as he smiled.

After all, we will never be able to replace her own parents.

"Really?" She whispered, looking at us in disbelief. Why does she look so shocked?

"Welcome to the family, Starlight." Astral, Crystal, my husband, and I all said as we hugged her. She blinks in shock.

I glanced at my son who suddenly whispered something in her ear, making her smile, and hugged us closer. What did he whisper to her?

"Thank you, mother and father." She said quietly in our ears as she broke the embrace between all of us.

"Don't mention it." My daughter said with a smile.

My son puts a hand on her shoulder. "Whether you are Star or someone else, you will always be my little sister." He said seriously, making her eyes widen as tears leaked from her eyes and hugged him tightly.

Our eyes widen at the scene and his words. What did he mean by that?

"Thank you, Astral, my older brother." She whispered in his ear as he patted her back with a smile on his face.

Astral's POV:

"Say, father?" Serenity asks me as I looked down at her holding her bear.

"What is it?"

"Can I see your ring?"

I nodded as I handed her my wedding band. "No, not that one, father."

That's the only ring I have. "That's the only wedding band I have," I said.

"No, you have another one!" She exclaimed making me more confused. Another wedding band?

"I do?"

She nodded as she took my hand and pointed at the ring on my ring finger. "You have another wedding band." She pointed out making my parent's eyes open in shock.

"What?" My father asks me in confusion.

"Why do you have another ring?" My mother asks as she looks at me.

I sigh. "This is-"

"Father and mother have two rings!" She said making their eyes widen even more.

She suddenly took Lily's hand and showed them it along with mine. Oh boy, this is going to be a misunderstanding.

They blinked in shock. "Lily," Her mother said as she looks at her. "Are those-"

"It's not what you think!" I said quickly as I cut her off.

"No one is getting married." She exclaimed as she looks at me with redness on her face. Yet.

"But those rings are wedding rings…" My mother said trailing off as she looks at me.

"Just let me explain," I said as I took a deep breath. "I-"

"He bought the rings because a guy was flirting with me and he was very persistent." She exclaimed, cutting me off as I glanced at her.

"Ok?" My father said, still not getting why I bought a ring.

"I heard him say something about her not having a ring on her finger so I somewhat panicked and bought us rings," I admitted as they chuckled.

"In other words, you were jealous?" Lily asks me as I looked away. I was not jealous.

"I wasn't."

She looked at me with a deadpan expression. "If memory serves me correctly, you called me your wife. Isn't that right, my dear husband?" She said smiling at me.

"I was calling you that so that we didn't have to explain Serenity and Phoenix," I said factually. "Plus, I helped you got out of that situation unscathed."

"Sure," She said sarcastically. "You say that but you were jealous of the fact that guy was flirting with me."

I was not jealous.

"Believe what you want," I responded, looking at my ring. Now that I actually got a closer look, this looks like a wedding band.

"So," Her mother said, looking at us. "What are you two going to do with those rings?"

"Lily," I looked at her and held her hand. "Give me your ring."

She stares at me in shock. "No!" She exclaimed, holding her hand close to her body. "You just can't take back a ring you gave me!"

"But-"

"No, you are not taking this away from me."

"Fine," I said in defeat. "You can keep it if you want."

She beams in happiness as she looks at her ring.

"Astral," My father said walking towards me to examine my ring.

Why is he looking at it?

"This looks like a wedding band. Did you have to choose this ring?"

I smiled. "Those two caught my eye the most. Plus, those were the only ones left."

Also, those two are a set.

"You two are really going to wear them?" Her father asks us.

"Yeah, why not?" She asks in confusion looking at them.

"I like it." She said happily looking at me. I knew that she would like it!

"It's just that the rings look like wedding bands." My father started to say as we looked at him confused. So?

"So?" We both said, making them blink.

"You are not afraid that people will think that you two are married?" My mother said as we both looked at each other.

That completely slipped my mind. Although… now that she mentions it…

"Let them think that we are married." She said with a blush. "I'm not taking this ring off anytime soon."

Does she really like it that much?

Their eyes widen at her words while I looked at her. "Do you really like it that much?"

She nods. "Of course I do. After all, you're the one who gave it to me." She said quietly as I could feel my heartbeat quicken. She really knows how to make my heart skip a beat.

In my room:

Lily and I returned to my room. I guess that she's sleeping in my room from now on. I thought as I could feel my cheeks heat up.

She plopped herself on the bed, staring at the ceiling. "Say Astral?" She asks me while I carried out sleeping son towards the crib.

"Yes, my love?"

"Just out of curiosity but why did you want me to give you back my ring?"

I blinked as I laid down next to her. "Is there any reason why you would ask that?"

Does she think that I regret giving her that ring? True, I did buy it out of panic but the more I think about it, the more that ring suits her.

She stays silent. I sigh. "Do you think that I regret buying the rings?"

She nodded. "Why else would you want to take it back?"

I shook my head. "I wasn't sure that you would like it. I mean I bought them out of panic."

"I do like it."

"Yea, but do you have any idea what the rings on both of our fingers mean?" I ask as I stared at her.

She looked at me. "Of course I know what they mean. These are wedding bands."

"And you still want to wear it?" I ask in disbelief.

She nods. "As I said in the hallway if people mistook that we are married then let them be mistaken. After all," She said as she leans closer towards me until our noses are touching.

She's so close…

My heart rate skyrocket and a blush appeared on both of our faces. "After all," she said while stroking my chest slowly making me shiver. What is she trying to do?

She suddenly pins me down onto the bed with her legs and arms on either side of me. "What are you trying to do, my love?"

She smirks at me and leaned down until her lips hovered above mine. "After all," She said again while slipping her hands slowly under my shirt and playing with my chest, making me shudder as intense pleasure flowed through me.

I pulled her closer to me, wrapping my arm around her waist as I stared into her eyes.

"After all what?" I ask softly as I cupped her face with one hand.

"After all," She leaned in to whisper into my ear. "After all, you are the only one that I intend to marry." My eyes widen as I flipped over her, switching our positions.

"Really?" I ask as I looked down at her.

"Yes," She whispers with a blush on her face. I smiled as I leaned closer to her ear. "Let me tell you a secret."

"W-What is it?" She stutters as I could feel her heartbeat accelerate.

"You are the only one I want to spend my entire life with and…" I trailed off leaning closer to her lips.

"A-And what?"

"And the only woman that I intend to marry during this lifetime," I whispered as our lips connected.

Our bodies pressed on the bed heatedly as we fumbled to take off our clothes. I undid her belt and threw it off to the side with her shirt and she used her powers to take off my shirt as well.

Our hands roamed across our bodies as I kissed her neck and undid her bra, throwing it aside, while massaging it and playing with the areola. I did everything I can with them, pinched, bite gently, licked it, flicked it making her moan in pleasure as I massaged them even more.

While I was busy playing with her chest, my hands took off her panties and rubbed her clit, making her moan my name addictively. She arched forward, rocking her hips into mine as I stifled a moan from escaping my lips.

She quickly took off my pants and boxers, revealing my member, which I quickly thrust inside of her, making her moan and grip the bed sheets tightly. I guess that she doesn't want to mess up my back even more.

Her hips rocked to my rhythm as the sound of moans and skin against skin rang throughout the room. I quickened my pace as I thrust further inside of her making her moan and scream my name loudly as I brought a hand to her mouth covering it while I released my seed deep inside of her. Even though the sound barrier is up, all of this noise can wake up Phoenix.

I collapsed to the left of her with my member still buried inside of her.

I widen my eyes as a thought occurred to me. "You swallowed the pill before this right?" I ask in panic as I looked at her.

She nodded as she breathed heavily. "Yeah, I swallowed it."

"Good," I said as I got up.

"What are you-"

I smirked. "Don't you think the night is still young, my love?"

She blushed as I licked my lips and went in for another round.