To Choose a World

by Koizumi Scarlet

M.K realises that it is unrealistic to want a normal romantic relationship with Nod with their size difference. Yet, she cannot get her mind off him. Her heart is torn. Stay with him and be doomed to a non-intimate relationship, or leave him and venture into the real world. That is, until she heard he is in trouble. Will the heat of danger solve all her answers? THREE-SHOT MK/Nod

2. Epilogue of the Epilogue

OH MY GOODNESS! Thank you sooo much for your epic reviews !.You guys really made me soo happy, I wanted to cry! As it was, I was bouncing around my room, squealing at each review I got. I tried to reply to most of the reviews, but sadly there was a lot of guest readers who I couldn't PM, so I'm just going to thank you all here who reviewed! To:

Beaver ; kyleeadams123 ; alessa-vulturi ; FishInAFadora ; Stephan ; Rose ; Rachel Alexandra 9 ; Bo ; Oceanwind ; SapphiRubyCrys ; I'm A Sucker For Love Stories ; NayNay Rasmuffin ; nerdygirl1172 and also the two no-name Guests.

You guys rocked my world and I appreciate the effort you made to review. Thank you also for everyone who followed, favourited and encouraged me to write a sequel/epilogue.

Now, in this epilogue of the epilogue, M.K and Nod are going to have children, so if that is not your cup of tea, just ignore this chapter and imagine their life how you want to

Warning, lots of fluff ahead, just like the first chapter^~^

Now, after my long Authors Note and heartfelt thanks, onwards!

EnjoyXD

A Certain number of years later (use your imagination)

"Come on M.K! We're almost back!"

M.K urged her hummingbird faster, trying to catch up to her reckless husband, Nod. He was laughing at her while doing risky aerial stunts with his new and young hummingbird. His last scruffy, but dependable bird had found a lady friend and had 'retired' to help care for their eggs. Nod was eagerly waiting for them to hatch, just so he could train them for their kids.

Kids.

It was of course the reason Nod was so excited to get back to Moonhaven. M.K and Nod had been on patrol at the far edges of the forest, where Stompers had started to pull down trees for some sort of building project. Bomba was looking into it and trying to find a way to stop the development. M.K and Nod was elected to go look how fast the Stompers were working, seeing as M.K used to be a Stomper herself. They had to leave their two children to be watched after by Ronin.

M.K shuddered when she thought of all the trouble they could have gotten into. Their kids had definitely inherited Nod's mischievous nature and M.K's stubbornness. Combined with their cheeky attitudes and poker faces they copied from uncle Ronin, they were troublesome little devils when they wanted to be. M.K smiled when she thought of the time the twins had mixed some sort of natural plant colorant they had sneaked out of Bomba's collection with the pond water.

Colourless unless heated, the entire community in Moonhaven had walked around with purple skin, including the twins. They had adamantly refused to admit it was their doing, but a mother knew these things. Especially when she had found the containers stuffed under their beds. When Nod had found out, his smile could have lighted a dark room and he had immediately taken them out to go see a race. With a father like that, M.K despaired at them ever growing out of their pranking faze.

M.K looked up when she heard Nod whooping and saw that Moonhaven was in sighting distance. A smile bloomed on her face as she saw Ronin waiting for them impassively, with two bouncing grey blurs besides him. When she got closer, she started to make out the long, deep chocolate hair with just a hint of red hidden in their depths, only unmasked by the rays of the sun. The small figures were clad in identical grey pants and loose white shirts. They were smiling brightly as Nod landed his bird and jumped off. Racing over to him, Nod opened his arms just in time to catch the recklessly jumping twins. There was a brief moment when M.K was certain Nod was going to fall over, but he managed to keep himself upright just barely.

Excited, high-pitched voices reached her ears as M.K landed next to Nod's bird and dismounted. She smiled as the twins chattered on and on about everything they had done while she and Nod was absent, including pranking Ronin till he was blue in the face, figuratively and literally. As she walked closer, the twins spotted her and rushed towards her.

M.K quickly dropped down to one knee, she had no confidence that she would be able to stay upright during their exuberant greeting like Nod had. Two pairs of small arms latched around her neck and two eager faces was suddenly right in front of her. A pair of brown eyes with a green ring around the pupil smiled up at her and another pair of green eyes with brown flecks in them laughed at her. Her son, Nalin, had Nod's brown eyes, but her eyes' green was still present. He was the younger of the two twins and a touch more reserved than his sister, the elder twin. Of course, unless you really knew the twins closely, you'll never notice it.

Amaryllis had M.K's green eyes, but flecks of Nod's brown eyes were still visible. Both of them had a smattering of light freckles across their noses and their faces were the perfect blend between Nod, M.K and even Bomba. Both of the twins had a very subtle curly quality to their hair, no doubt inherited from M.K's father's wild bush on the top of his head. At the moment with their age, they still looked identical (if it weren't for the eyes), but M.K was sure that as they grew up and went through puberty, more differences will start to surface.

Both of the twins had long, braided hair that reached the middle of their backs. Nalin had followed his elder sister's example and refused to cut his hair, instead pulling it back in a simple yet effective braid. He had no fringe, instead choosing to follow his father's footsteps and keep his hair out of his face, as it annoyed him when it fell into his eyes. His braid was tied with a simple rubber band with a small blue lotus flower attached, given by Bomba when he was born. Amaryllis had the same braid, but with a sideways fringe that resembled M.K's own fringe. It was slightly longer, however, and pinned back with a beautiful red amaryllis pin that she had received from Bomba.

Like her name, Amaryllis was a sparkling and fresh young girl, always full of life and energy. Nalin was a bit shyer, but it hardly ever showed, unless he met someone new. He adapted very quickly to circumstances however and once his sister accepted a new person, Nalin would trust her judgement and lose his shy nature. Nod and M.K had given their children those names to show that they were starting anew. Just like Amaryllis, which meant fresh or sparkling, Nod and M.K had a fresh start and just like Nalin's name, which meant new beginnings after a difficult time, M.K and Nod had their hardships and troubles, but they pressed through and arrived where they were today.

"Mom, Mom, you'll never guess what we did!"

"We went to visit grandpa yesterday and he took us out to the Stomper Town! Everything was sooo big!"

"And all the stompers were soooo slow! When grandpa accidently forgot us in the one Stomper's shop, they actually thought we were bugs and tried to catch us, but since they were soooo slow, they couldn't even get close."

"We wanted them to play with us some more, but grandpa came back and took us away. Hey mom, can we go again? Can we, can we?"

Two pairs of bright, hopeful eyes gazed up at M.K, tugging at her heartstrings, despite her ire at her father's irresponsible behaviour.

"Hmmm, I don't know, it's very dangerous for us to go to human territory. Maybe when you're older, I'll take you again."

"Awww, come on M.K, they're just curious. What harm could come of it? They need to learn early what this world entails." Nod bent to scoop up Amaryllis and once he had her securely in his arms, he tickled her mercilessly. Nalin quickly ran to defend his sister and within no time Nod was buried beneath two giggling children. M.K crossed her arms and glared at Nod, who was smiling innocently up at her, his expression mirrored on Nalin and Amaryllis's faces. M.K contained the urge to melt into a small puddle of goo, they were just too adorable. But she had to remain firm. Going into town while they were so young was dangerous.

"Alright, I'll think about it. This doesn't mean I'll agree, but I will consider it."

Three whoops sounded and then the twins were off, running to a bush nearby, where their secret base was located. Ronin had helped them build it, because apparently parents weren't supposed to know where their children's secret bases were, but what they didn't know is that each night they were sleeping, Nod had secretly gone out and helped finish it for their preferences. Nod didn't know that M.K knew, but she used to watch him as he worked, while her heart felt as if it would swell and overflow with love.

"Well, now that the reunion is over, welcome back. Are you ready to see the Queen, or do you want to freshen up first?" Nod and M.K glanced at each other and the mood quickly turned serious.

"I think it would be best if we saw her immediately. We have some important news." Ronin acknowledged our determined expressions solemnly and led us into the great stone hall. He led us through a corridor until we came upon a chamber which opened to the outside. The queen was sitting there, talking to one of her handmaidens and laughing.

"My Queen, general Nod has returned with news of the Stompers' construction project." M.K started at Nod's title. Technically, Ronin had retired a short while ago and Nod had been promoted as leader of the Leafmen, but Ronin still stayed as an adviser to the Queen. He claimed that helping the new queen become a better ruler was the least he could do in memory of Queen Tara.

Still, M.K was not yet used to Nod in a position of importance. Though she knew intellectually that Nod was more than capable of filling the role, there were still times he acted so immature (especially with the twins) and then she wondered if he was really the right man for the job. However, each time Nod would counter it with his excellent leadership skill and mere presence and M.K would remember jus why he was Ronin's star pupil.

"The Stompers are progressing faster than we thought. If it continues like this, they will reach Moonhaven in under a month. Though we are not sure how big this building project is and if they are going to extend it this far into the forest, we still have to keep in mind the creatures who lives where they are currently building." The queen nodded at Nod's report, her brow scrunched up in thought, a habit she never broke herself of.

"However, we do have some good news. Apparently the location they are going to build on is the home of a Northern spotted owl, her mate and their chicks. Since that type of owl is an endangered species, if we make sure the government knows of this, they would be prohibited to continue building there. We can stop the construction before it fully began." M.K interrupted the Queen's thought process with her news, smiling brightly at the relieved expression on her features.

"How are we going to make sure this information gets to the right people, and with evidence?"

"Easy," M.K shrugged," we just ask my father to take photographic evidence, put together a report on the Northern Spotted owl and as a registered scientist (even if people think he's a bit eccentric) he can show it to the government and stop the construction. The forest people can help look after the owls and the government would probably declare the forest as a type of wild life reserve, so it will stay protected."

The Queen seemed to brighten up ad immediately asked that they get in contact with Bomba. M.K and Nod bowed and turned to walk back to the stone courtyard. As they walked, they talked about visiting Bomba and whether the twins would like to go along. When they reached the courtyard they were in previously, they saw that it had another occupant.

Mub was slouching along in the middle of the courtyard, looking entirely laid-back as he usually does.

"Hey Mub, what are you doing here? I would've thought you would be with Grub or at the pod pond?"

"Yo, M.K, my girl, how's it been on the patrol? Did you miss me soo much you just had to come back? See mate, this is what a woman does for her real man. You may think she loves you, but actually we are really close. Right M.K?" M.K grinned nervously as Mub came closer, throwing her winks and suggestive looks. He didn't change at all over the years. She saw Nod's eyebrow twitch out of the corner of her eye and stumbled against him when he pulled her closer, his arm around her waist. He glared balefully at Mub.

"Whatever, you're deluding yourself. She's mine." M.K rolled her eyes as both Mub and Nod puffed up their chests, the air practically reeking of testosterone. The old idea of male pride and male dominance was making them act in ridiculous ways. She decided to quickly distract them from their age-old argument.

"Mub, can you do me a favour please?" M.K smiled pleasantly at Mub, ignoring Nod's mock betrayed expression.

"Sure, anything for you." Mub answered provocatively.

"Can you maybe fetch the twins from their secret hide out? We need to ask them something."

"Sure, nothing is too much for my woman." Mub leered and winked at M.K again, before he departed for the bush.

M.K sighed and turned to the dejected Nod. Seeing the full-blown pout on his lips, she walked over and put her arms around his neck. Automatically his arms winded around her waist and she leaned her forehead against his.

"You know you're the only one in my heart and mind." Nod grinned.

"I know, I just like hearing you say that every time I pout or get jealous." His smile softened and he leaned down to touch their lips softly.

"I love you."

"As I love you."

"Hey M.K!" We both turned at Mub's shout.

"I can't find the twins!..."

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M.K sat disconsolately and tried to wrack her mind for places the twins could be. It had been six hours since Mub had raised the alarm and night would soon fall. Still no trace of her children could be found. It was as if they had disappeared. The moment M.K heard those words, that started the big search, come out of Mub's mouth, a feeling of dread filled her. She had rushed to Nalin and Amaryllis's secret base, but had found it silent and empty, just like Mub had said. Nod had tried to cheer her up by reassuring her that they probably just wandered off to one of their friends' flowers to go play, but M.K could not shake the icy feeling that was building in her abdomen.

They had checked the kids' usual haunts and asked around, but no one had seen them. Amaryllis and Nalin was well liked around here, despite their cheeky nature, and soon there was a massive search party underway. Volunteers ventured into the most dangerous of places, like the lairs of mice and chipmunks in search of the elusive twins. After stumbling around in a daze for four hours, Nod had forced her to go back home, telling her she would help no one if she couldn't see or think straight. No trace of them could be found.

M.K slumped into herself and let the tears fall, not even noticing Nod who silently approached and clutched her tightly to his chest.

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"Found… Pin… yes tha-… build-… don't kno-… maybe…look into it-…" M.K slowly opened her eyes, blinking the grittiness that was caused by lack of sleep and irritation because of her tears away. She sluggishly observed her surroundings, realising she must have cried herself to sleep. At the sound of murmured voices, she looked up to see Nod and Ronin talking at the door. She couldn't hear what they were saying and shifted to stand up from the couch she had been sleeping on. As she sat up, the blanket slid off and alerted Nod that she had woken. He said one last thing to Ronin and turned to make his way over to her.

"M.K, they found something. Amaryllis's hairpin was found at the building site. There is no further clues as to where they could be now, but there is the possibility that Stompers had taken them. Ronin and I am going to the town to see if we can find them. I want you to stay here and rest. We'll be back soon." M.K jerked up from the couch and rounded on Nod, who sat woodenly and tense.

"If you think I am going to sit here like a good little wife and wait for my children to be found, you are wrong! I have just as much right as you do to go search for them! You WILL take me with you and Ronin."

"M.K, it's dangerous. If they were taken by a Stomper, then our secret could already be blown. They will know of us and it could be a delicate operation to get them back."

" I don't care! Those are my babies and I will not sit here like some invalid. If you forgot, I was in plenty of dangerous situations already! Mandrake was no pretty flower and I've been on patrol with you for years now!"

"This is different!"

"HOW?!"

"Because we don't know what to expect! All those other times we could prepare for the situation, but this time we are flying blind! I will not let you take unnecessary risks like that!"

"I've taken plenty of unknown risks before! Know humans better than you do! I can help. Why won't you let me-"

"BECAUSE I CAN'T LOSE YOU AS WELL!" M.K looked at Nod, stunned, as he stood heaving before her, his face flushed and his eyes burning. His body quivered, whether in anger, fear or desperation, M.K couldn't be sure. Her eyes softened as she read the blind panic in Nod's eyes and she stepped forward, wrapping her arms around his back, burying her head in the junction between his shoulder and neck. Nod shivered and pulled her closer, exhaling into her hair as he tried to get his emotions under control. After a while, his trembling stopped and he relaxed in her arms. She rubbed his back soothingly. Finally, she heard him take a deep breath, inhaling…and exhaling… before he whispered,

"You will have to do exactly as I tell you to do. No running off on your own. When we are in town, you must stay with me and Ronin. You are not a human anymore, remember that please."

"I will." She answered softly.

MkNodMKNodMKNodMKNod

M.K crept through the dark street, her gaze focused on Nod's back. Soft moonlight shined on the party of three as they moved through the shadows. They were on their way to the small motel where they had tracked one the builders to. Seems like the builders came from the big city, so they stayed at the motel while they were busy with the construction, since it was easier than driving to town early each morning.

M.K almost bumped into Nod's back when he suddenly stopped. Looking up, she saw that they were in front of the motel and that Ronin was throwing a long vine with a hook attached up to a high wooden window sill. The window was opened a fraction, but still it was just big enough for a two-inch-long person to squeeze through. As Ronin started to swiftly ascend the vine, Nod gestured for M.K to climb up before him.

M.K started to clamber up the vine, a lot slower and gracelessly than Ronin. When she neared the top, Ronin grabbed her hand and hauled her onto the window sill. Looking down, M.K saw Nod take a few steps back and then he took a running leap. He made it about three-quarters of the way up the vine and quickly scaled the last bit to the window sill. When he made it to the top, he dusted off his clothes and handed Ronin the vine which he had rolled up.

The three squeezed through the gap and once they were inside, Ronin told them to wait while he checked the register. They had intently listened to the builders' conversation when they had followed them earlier and had picked up the names of a few. After M.K had told Ronin the general area where the register should be, he had said that he would go look to see in which rooms the builders stayed.

After a while, where M.K and Nod observed their surroundings, Ronin returned with the news that the builders stayed on the second floor, in the rooms 20-30. They silently made their way up the stairs and squeezed underneath the doors, between the gap of the door and the floor. Some rooms had two beds with a sleeping builder in them, some had only one bed. Messy clothes lying everywhere or neatly packed away in traveling bag, each room was different, yet all had one thing in common. There was no sign of Nalin or Amaryllis.

Finally they entered the last room and began searching. There was still no sign of the twins, and M.K began to doubt if they were here. Maybe they had fallen under one of the builders' machines, or was carried off by some vicious predator. Maybe they got lost deep in the woods and was even now laying somewhere, alone and cold. The more M.K thought about it, the more desperate she got. It was near dawn and soon the builders would get up to start the new day. They were running out of time.

A sudden hand on her head made her look up. Ronin gave her one of his rare, small smiles.

"We'll find them." It was short and to the point, but somehow the quiet confidence with which he said it reassured M.K and bolstered her spirits.

"M.K! Ronin! Quick, over here!" M.K's head snapped around to Nod, where he stood by the bed. She and Ronin rushed over to Nod and followed his pointing finger. There, on the bed, wedged between the bedside table and pillow, in front of the sleeping face of a grizzled, old builder, stood a jar. It was, however, what was in the jar that captured their attentions. Two small forms were bundled up under small scraps of material, sleeping soundly.

Amaryllis and Nalin.

Immediately, without thought to the consequences, M.K ran and jumped onto the bed, scrambling to the jar. She pressed her hands and face against the glass, trying to see if her children were injured. The lid of the jar had breathing holes punched in it and there was a folded cloth at the bottom of the jar, to make sure the tiny inhabitants were comfortable and warm. The old man who kept them certainly made sure they weren't cold or sore. M.K felt Nod's irate, yet relieved presence coming up behind her, but she ignored him. She knocked frantically on the glass, trying to rouse the sleeping bundles. She disregarded Nod's frantic movements for her to be quiet and pounded against the glass.

After what seemed like an eternity, one of the bundles twitched and a small body sat up sleepily, a thin arm rubbing at his eye. Nalin stared at M.K uncomprehendingly, before realization flooded his eyes and an ear-splitting grin broke over his face.

"Mom! Dad! Uncle Ronin!" He hurriedly turned to the other bundle, shoving it hard. Amaryllis shot up, squinting around blearily. Once her eyes landed on her parents, an identical grin to her brothers graced her face. She raced to the glass where M.K stood, Nalin on her heels. They both began to chatter excitedly, ecstatic at seeing their parents and favourite uncle. As they babbled away, M.K examined them up and down, determining that they had no serious injuries, just a few scrapes and bruises. Nod placed his hands beside M.K's on the glass and immediately Nalin's small hand was placed opposite his on the inside of the jar. Amaryllis copied her brother with M.K's hands and she could see the reality of the last day and a half's events where catching up to the twins. Tears started to fill their eyes as their lower lips trembled. Nod and M.K anxiously tried to calm them down, but to no avail. A piercing wail erupted from their throats, as they sobbed uncontrollably. M.K glanced nervously at the builder, luckily still sleeping peacefully. The desperate parents tried to comfort their small children, but it was hard with something separating them. As the frequency of the twins' crying heightened, Ronin stepped forward and smartly rapped his sword against the glass, creating a resounding clang that shocked the twins into silence.

"Now both of you, if you want uncle Ronin to help you out of that jar, you must stay quiet, otherwise the Stomper will awaken and catch us all. Do you understand?" The twins sniffed and nodded their heads at Ronin, rubbing the tears out their eyes.

"Now Nod, I want you on the pillow and M.K, I want you on the bedside table. We are going to try and twist the lid off. Hopefully it won't be screwed on too tightly." Without a word, Nod and M.K took in their positions and at the count of three, tried to screw the lid off.

It didn't move an inch.

Not discouraged in the least they tried again...

And again…

And again…

Finally, the lid twisted a small bit. M.K was overcome with hope and enthusiastically renewed her efforts to unscrew it. Bit by bit, the lid slowly turned. Just as the lid was almost off, chills raced down her spine and the hairs on her arm stood on end.

Someone was watching her…

Slowly she raised her head, hoping it was not what she suspected.

Huge, pale blue eyes bore into her own, sunken into the skin around it and rimmed with wrinkling folds and pale lashes.

The old builder stared at her silently, his head still resting on the pillow. He was lying motionlessly, just watching her and her companions struggle with the lid twice their size. A ray of sunlight broke through the clouds and shone into the room, reflecting against the glass and causing M.K to slam her eyes shut as the light blinded her, throwing up a hand to block the glaring rays. When M.K remember the builder, she hastily wrenched her eyes open.

The builder's eyes were closed and he was breathing lowly, as if he was in a deep sleep. Did she imagine his eyes were open? No, she was sure he looked at her. She couldn't have imagined it. Then why wasn't he awake now? Nod noticed M.K's pause in her efforts to get the lid off and asked her what's wrong.

"Nod…the builder looked at me." Nod swung around in alarm, but found the builder sleeping peacefully as he had when they entered the room. He turned back to M.K.

"Are you sure you didn't imagine it? Maybe it was a trick of the light?"

"I g-guess it could have been…"

"Whatever it was, the sun is raising. Hurry and get this lid off." Ronin barked at them. M.K shook off the feeling of disquiet and heaved the lid off with help from Nod and Ronin. She jumped into the jar while Ronin and Nod waited on the bedside table. Gathering her babies in her arms, she let go of the weight that rested on her shoulders. In the next moment, Nod was next to her, pulling Amaryllis into his arms. The twins cried silently, clutching the clothes of their parents, clinging to them and refusing to relent their grasp. Nod stood and jumped out of the jar with Amaryllis still gripping him.

M.K stood and as she was mid-air in her jump, something fell from Nalin. It was the blue lotus rubber band he had gotten from Bomba. He cried out, reaching for it, but Ronin didn't notice and ushered them out the window he had opened. Stopping on the window sill, M.K wanted to go back and get it, but then she felt that hair-raising chill again. Glancing over her shoulders, she met those pale, blue eyes again, and without a thought to the rubber band, she jumped off the window sill to Nod and Ronin, who was standing below and waiting for her.

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The next day, the twins were still a bit clingy and hesitant to let M.K and Nod out of their sights. Amaryllis had gotten her hair pin back, but M.K feared Nalin's lotus rubber band was lost forever. No matter how many words of reassurance or promises they made that they would get him another one, he couldn't be consoled. Even Amaryllis's offer of sharing her hair pin with him and switching it day to day couldn't comfort him. To him, he had lost a precious gift from his grandpa to celebrate his birth.

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It was nearing sunset when M.K finished her patrol at the construction site. Nod was with the kids today. They were making turns to stay with the twins till they felt comfortable to go off on their own again. Nod and M.K had given them a stern lecture of where they may and may not go. Of course, they had gotten this lecture before, but this time it actually registered in their minds that the reason those places were forbidden is because they were dangerous.

Just as M.K prepared to leave the branch she was standing on and return to her hummingbird in the tree behind her, movement caught her eye. It was the same old builder from the previous night. In the dwindling daylight, his white hair stood in a wild mop and his thick beard danced with the colours of the sunset. He slowly made his way to a fallen tree and bent to place something on it. Straightening painfully, he sighed and lifted his wrinkled face. M.K could see deep lines on his face, a face that had gone through so much hardship. His big, knobbly and folded hands clutched a worn hat that had seen better days. Slowly, he lifted his head and looked straight at M.K.

Kind pale blue eyes twinkled at her. As they stared silently at each other, the corner of his mouth lifted in a smile and laugh lines wrinkled around his eyes. He placed his hat on his head and inclined his head deliberately, before he turned and walked away with slow steps. Once he disappeared behind the trees, M.K made her way down to the fallen tree. There, lying where the old man had just placed something, was Nalin's blue lotus rubber band.

M.K bent and picked it up. She stared at the spot where the old builder had disappeared and wondered…

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It was three days later when M.K overheard an interesting piece of information exchanged between some of the volunteers about Amaryllis's hair pin.

"Yes, I'm so glad they're safely back. If that hair pin wasn't discovered, who knows when it would have been thought to search the Stompers' lodgings."

"That's true. But have you heard? Apparently the twins were in much more danger than we originally thought. You know where the hair pin was discovered right? Well, there was a chipmunk's lair in the tree behind it! Apparently, they found claw marks near the area the pin was found!"

"No! At least the Stomper didn't immediately kill them! They would have been dead if the chipmunk found them first!"

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Life continued on as before. It wasn't long before the twins got over their fear of being alone and soon they were laughing and running all over the place again. It was such a sunny day, that that M.K and Nod took them to the small swimming pond. M.K sat next to Nod, contently watching Nalin and Amaryllis playing and squealing in the water. She leaned into Nod's side and he wrapped an arm around her shoulders as she rested her head against his bare chest. No words were needed. They were both content and their children was happy.

M.K smiled softly at the image of Amaryllis splashing Nalin and running away, only to end up with them teaming up against poor Grub and Mub, who had joined them for the day. The vibrations of Nod's deep chuckle rippled through his chest and M.K felt it all the way into her toes and the ends of her long red hair, which was being softly caressed by Nod, most likely unconsciously. She pushed herself up and looked deeply into Nod's bright hazelnut eyes, flecked with lighter pieces of chestnut.

"I love you."

A loving smile danced across his lips and his eyes practically overflowed with his love.

"As I love you."

And their lips met in a passionate, yet leisure kiss.

After all, they had the rest of their lives to enjoy each other.

The end….

Or is it only the beginning…?

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There! All finished! I really hope you guys enjoyed reading this story as much as I enjoyed writing it! You have been awesome readers and I definitely wouldn't have gotten the inspiration for this epilogue if it wasn't for your awesome response to the first chapter! Thank you soooo much and please let me know what you thought of the epilogue to the epilogue^~^