Kneeling down in my garden as I picked plump red tomatoes and long green beans for tonight's dinner with the fish caught earlier, I heard the sounds of laughter and chatter from my little ones.
They were playing beneath the golden apple tree just a few feet away from me.
A gentle breeze blew and I looked up to see my little ones standing in front of me.
"Mama can you tell us a story?" Naoki asked.
"Please mama!" As his twin brother Natsuo begged.
"Oh alright. How can I say no when you both ask so politely. Let me put these veggies inside and I'll get some snacks." I said with a smile. "But only if you both help me!"
"Yes mama!" As the twins said in unison filled with excitement.
A short time later, we sat on the shaded hillside looking out over the vast fields of flowers. The twins munched on their snacks as I drank tea.
The cool breeze blew as I closed my eyes and felt relaxed.
My life had been a whirlwind of adventures and emotions. My choice of staying in this era is the best one I've made. I have 3 year old twin boys with the one who unexpectedly stole my heart as I have stolen his.
Both boys have black hair with golden eyes and crescent moon on their forehead. A combination of looks from both parents but different personalities.
Naoki is the oldest. He has a direct approach and is not afraid to speak up.
Natsuo is younger. He on the other hand is quiet and thinks before he speaks.
"Mama" Natsuo called softly.
I opened my eyes to see my boys looking at me.
"Tell us a story." Naoki said.
"Ok my precious ones. Let's see. Oh I know. I don't think I told both of you this one." Placing down my empty tea cup.
"One day I was sitting in a field similar to this one near the village I once lived in. It was filled with soft grass on a hillside with lots of colorful flowers. The sky was blue with white clouds, so I laid down on the shaded side of the hill."
"Just like this one mama?" Naoki asked.
"Yes just like this one, except I could see the village not too far away."
"And then what happened mama?" Natsuo climbed into my lap.
"Well I noticed a particular flower not too far from where I was. It was standing tall by itself with its white fluffy seeds and long green stem. This flower is special as it can do many things! It can be used for medicines, teas and most importantly wishes! It's called a dandelion flower."
"Wishes!" Both boys exclaimed with excitement.
"Yes wishes, but it has to be genuine and true from your heart." As I pointed to my chest.
"Can you wish for candy and mochi?" Natsuo asked.
"Oh I know can you wish for toys?" Naoki asked excitedly.
"Maybe you can but those are things you earn and are given on holidays or birthdays. These wishes are when you want to send what's in your heart to someone who is far away so they can know that you are thinking of them." Pulling Naoki into my lap with his brother.
"On this particular day, I thought of your papa as he had been away for sometime. I missed him and hoped for him to come back soon. For me to send those feelings, I picked the dandelion, closed my eyes, made my wish and blew the puffy seeds into the air. Since there were so many, they blew in all directions and I hoped at least one of those tiny seeds reached your father to let him know I missed him."
"And then what happened?" As both boys asked curiously in unison.
"Well…it worked because he came home not too long after, and you know what he told me? He said that he heard my wishes as a tiny seed floated towards him!"
"Wow! Can we make a wish to tell papa how we miss him too?" Naoki asked.
"Please mama?" Natsuo begged.
"Sure! I haven't done it in a long time! Let's do it together!"
The boys jumped up with excitement.
We looked for a patch of dandelions and found some not too far from where we were.
"Ok my little ones, pick one very carefully and then think about your wish." I instructed while watching fondly as my boys carefully picked their flower with such care.
"Continue thinking about your wish as you take a deep breath. Hold the fluffy head of your dandelion near your mouth and turn carefully in the direction of the breeze. For the magic to work, you must blow all the seeds off with one breath."
"Here let me show you." As I carefully picked a fluffy dandelion, bringing it close to my mouth, I closed my eyes and blew gently. I opened my eyes to see all of the seeds dancing thru the air, scattered in all directions with the wind.
"See how easy that is. It's your turn."
"Ok mama!" Both boys exclaimed.
They held their fluff close, closed their eyes and blew as all of the seeds scattered into the air. Opening their eyes, they smiled brightly.
"Now we watch as our wishes float away. Part of the magic is watching until the last seed is out of sight and it helps the wish come true." As I watched the beautiful sight of seeds floating thru the sun kissed sky, they danced with each other and then parted ways.
"Do you think papa would get our wishes?" Naoki asked.
"I am sure he will, my sweet one."
"Mama" as Natsuo tugged on my kimono sleeve "I'm hungry!"
"Oh my it's getting late! Let's go home to make dinner!" Stretching out my hands for each boy to hold while we sang a nursery rhyme back to our home.
When we arrived, a great surprise awaited us!
"Papa!" both boys yelled in happiness and took off running to him as he kneeled down to welcome his boys in a tight embrace.
My heart raced as I saw the one who I love as it always does when he's near "welcome home my darling!"
"Papa, papa our wishes came true!" The boys excitedly spoke! "Mama was right, our wishes came true!" The twins spoke excitedly.
"This one sees your mother has been telling you stories. Why don't you both tell me over dinner, but go wash up first." As their father placed them down.
"Hai papa!" Both boys said in unison and ran off giggling.
"My dearest" as the demon lord walked over to his mate "I see you're telling our sons about your 'wishes' " he smirked as he wrapped his arms around her.
Placing my arms around his neck "but of course! Those wishes always come true! See you're here!" I giggled as he nuzzled my neck.
"Your scent travels with those seeds only for this one, so that's how I know you're making those 'wishes'. And now our sons are doing the same. It is an affection that is only meant for this one." The demon lord whispered.
"I'm happy you know that because that is how you know my feelings reach to you when you're far away." Kissing his cheek "I need to prepare dinner. Let's go inside so our sons can tell you all about our wishes!"