It's been 10 days since the last time Luna saw Dr. Lecter.
The last 3 sessions were purely with Dr. Bloom.
Lecter and Bloom were polar opposites.
One doctor stirs up a calm happiness in her while the other spurs a curiosity for the dark and mysterious.
Luna is scheduled to see Dr. Hannibal in 3 days; she wonders… what will they talk about?
Every session with Dr. Bloom lead to lunch dates with Will Graham and Girly sleepovers.
Luna and Alana are so comfortable with each other.
People rushed into her life right after she distanced herself from Dr. Lecter.
Like the universe arranged it.
Even her aunt comes around more often to ask about her progress; as if that night never happened.
Her aunt is a lot nicer now and it makes her feel like she can let her guards down.
Luna sometimes gets the feeling that her aunt only comes to check if Dr. Lecter is around.
Well to Luna, it doesn't really matter what her reason for coming is, so long as she remains nice.
Her aunt is her only family… she has to let go of the doubts sooner or later right?
"Here you go…" Luna's thoughts were interrupted, as Will Graham placed 3 glasses of carbonated water in front of her.
"Are you still with me?" he asked and it made Luna smile.
"Yes, of course I am" she said trying to picture his smug face.
"Oh my, my, my..." she heard Will say "This bowl used to have fish and chips! You ate all of it" he accused her while trying to contain his laughter.
"I most certainly did not!" Luna said giggling; giving away the lie. "Okay fine! I couldn't get enough of it!"
Then a cheery laughter came from both of them; Dr. Bloom enjoyed the sight as she walked towards them from the powder room.
"Let's get more then!" Dr Bloom joined in.
That night:
"Luna… do you miss your life?" Luna turned her head to Alana with a look that asked what she meant.
"Being alone with your father?" Alana continued…
"Yes, I do actually… and I just realized it"
"Oh I'm sorry, I reminded you of him"
"It's okay… I'm surrounded by people now; a multitude of people replaced him.
It's not the same but it's a good kind of change"
"I'm so proud of you!" Alana Bloom quipped
"You're being a good friend right now aren't you doctor?"
"Ha-ha! I don't have to be your friend to notice your progress, but yes I am your good friend…"
Alana lied opposite Luna on the bed, their feet dangling on opposite sides.
"This thing with Doctor Lecter and your aunt, if it becomes serious, which I don't think it will.
You know you can always come to me right?"
"Yes… and Will too" Luna added "You and Will are inseparable but not really together" Luna changed the topic.
"We're friends like you and me, but what made you say that?" Alana asked
"I like to think I see more because I don't see… (She giggles) it doesn't make sense" Luna said as they both stared up to the ceiling
"It does actually, Will and I, we're already complicated on our own, if you put us together… it may cause us to implode and it may destroy us"
"I see, I don't have experience in these things, but destroy is a big word.
An implosion doesn't necessarily mean that right? Nervous breakdowns are implosions right? It may mean the release of suppressed passion too?"
"Oh Luna, you give hope and confuse at the same time" they stayed quiet for a bit.
Alana started to twirl a lock of Luna's hair around her finger "Going back to Dr. Lecter… (she paused gauging Luna's reaction)
He's a professional; I don't think he'd do something like that.
Whatever happens Luna. I'm here, as a doctor or as a friend whichever you need"
"Thanks doctor" Then Luna gave her the sweetest smile ever.
Alana pinched Luna on the cheek "Go to sleep now!" she switched the lights off and closed the door.
"So Hansen is picking you up today?" Will asked Luna as he took a sip of his coffee.
"Yes! He's taking me to Lunch…" Luna answered as she filtered tea leaves from her cup.
Will laughed at the joke in his head before he could deliver it.
"Make sure you don't eat everything on the table Luna!" he said still giggling.
Luna answered him with a death glare "Whoah, I think your eyes just threw daggers at me" Will said, while he feigned being shot.
"Are you taking Dr. Bloom to lunch Bully?" Luna asked.
"Ha-Ha! Yes I am…"
"Don't be stingy okay! Buy lots of food this time!"
"Ooohh a comeback! Why don't you just go with us?"
"I can't, I already said yes… he's been asking me since last week"
"We'll see you tonight then, don't forget okay... I'm cooking" Will reminded her as he took a bite of his croissant.
"I won't miss this dinner for the world!"
Luna closed the call. "Are you okay?" Hansen asked.
"Yes, my friend called to update me on dinner venue changes"
"I see, am I keeping you from something again? Should I step on it?"
"No, it's way early for dinner… I still have around 2-3 hrs"
"Okay will drive within legal speed then" he joked.
Hansen dropped Luna off at the shuttle shed.
The shuttle was early today.
Luna was the only passenger.
She opened a window; she didn't realize she's been holding her breath since Hansen drove away, she needed air.
"Luna I apologize for Will" Alana yelled as she ran towards Luna at the gate.
"If you don't feel comfortable coming I will totally understand"
"Will is preparing this dinner for me remember? I have to be there" Luna reminded her.
"Oh God! I'm sorry… Happy Birthday! (Alana hands her a bag) Here's my birthday gift"
"Thank you doctor; let's go inside, I have to change to something more comfortable…"
"Uhmm Luna... it's not a simple dinner anymore, it's now a dinner party"
"Oh, I have nothing to wear doctor"
"You can wear my gift, it's an ensemble"
Luna laughed "You prepared for this didn't you?!"
"Yes... I did Ha-ha...I will keep you company the whole night I promise" Alana said as she lead Luna to the house.
Hannibal convinced Will Graham to turn the celebration into a bigger event.
"He's going to help" Will told Alana when she said it's impossible to change plans last minute.
"You don't understand" Alana said.
"Well then tell me" Will exclaimed. "I'm Luna's friend to!"
"Never mind! Even if Luna allowed me to tell you, you already said Yes to Hannibal, it would be rude to take it back." Alana stomped out of the office.
Alana needed one more glance at her reflection in the mirror before she helps Luna.
She had a long yellow sleeveless blouson dress on, her hair is in a low pony tail.
She wore diamond earrings and a pair of strappy silver heels to match.
She bought Luna a long green strapless sweetheart dress; she matched it with white pearls and white peep toe platforms.
Luna was already wearing the dress; her natural curls tumbled on her bare shoulders as she sat on the bed to examine the shoes in her hand.
Alana came in to help. "What's keeping you Luna?"
"I think the heels are too high for someone who's practically blind. I have a white cane it's not fashionable. Can't I be my usual self?"
"Well if you mean can you go barefoot? My answer is No; I've seen Dr. Lecter's parties; the attendees are always well dressed" Alana answered.
Luna gave out a long sigh. Alana took a shoe from Luna and then took her hand.
"See these are platforms, they provide balance…" She said as she guided Luna's fingers along the edges of the shoe.
"Tonight, Julia's white cane will stay home, the house will be lit perfectly, so you will have your silhouettes, and I will stay close"
"I just don't want to trip or fall, in this dress…" Luna said
"You won't trip… Don't think like that, don't invite thoughts like that"
Luna gave another sigh. "Okay! We'll get through this right!"
"You are right! Let's put this on…" Alana helped Luna with her shoes.
"Now let's look at you…"
Luna twirled around... "Perfect… Divinely perfect!" Alana said
Luna hugged her… "This is going to be an unforgettable birthday!" Alana assured her.