Location: Jun's office, Hydra Base, Mars
Cleveland, Ohio, Earth
July 26th, 2553
4:31pm
"Hm?" That soft beep coming from his communications terminal told the second-in-charge of the Spartan Branch that he had a new message. If the thumbnail on that video message said anything, it was from Celestina, who was currently on Mars, in her brother's home to visit her Aunt Caroline and finally meet her nephew, Christian.
Jun decided to fuel his curiosity and open up that file to see what his Celestina had sent to him. She obviously used her data pad to create this video. She held it up with both hands as she spoke into the camera. "Hi, Jun! I had this little video made because there's someone I want you to meet."
That was when, from her left, a young boy of 10 years popped his head into the camera's view. He had wild jet-black hair, hazel eyes and a wide smile. "Hi, I'm Christian!" He greeted with an eager wave.
Instantly, Jun had a smile of his own.
"So yes, this handsome little devil is Christian and he is a gem! Couldn't ask for a better nephew. So we're having a blast over here, sweetie. Everything's going great."
"Aunt Celest taught me how to play cards!" Christian told him.
Celestina then glared into the camera playfully. "Don't tell Caden or I'll kill you, Jun."
"Well, my lips are sealed." He pantomimed zipping his mouth shut.
"Yeah! Don't tell my dad!"
Celestina was all in giggles and there was no way she could help it. "Thanks for letting me come down here, Jun. I really needed this. I wouldn't have met the aunt I almost forgot about and realized how much of a doll my nephew is. It honestly can't get any better than this."
Jun felt warm and fuzzy on this inside upon hearing that confession from his lover. "I'm glad..."
"I hope I can meet you and Death and Emiliana and and those awesome Spartans one day, Jun!"
"You can count on it." He certainly wished Christian could hear him say that.
"Well, I'm gonna go help Christian with his homework. After which, what are we gonna get to eat for dinner?"
"Pizza!"
"We're not even halfway through the day and I'm already spoiling him! I'll see you and Death when I get back, sweetie! Love you!" She blew a kiss at the camera and the picture froze.
At that point, the Spartan never felt so much contentment in his life.
Location: Caden's residence
Losantiville, Seven Hills, Mars
9:51pm
"You comfy?"
"Yep!" Christian confirmed, slipping under the blanket. "It's been a fun day, aunt Celest. I'm glad that you're here!"
Those bright hazel eyes were probably a new weakness of hers. "Aw, thank you, sweetie. You have no idea how much that means to me," She commented with a little sigh, running her hand past his hair. "After being separated from your dad for so long, I find out that I have a nephew? It was an awesome feeling to have."
"Yeah... Dad always talks about you and Aunt Christine and Grandma and Grandpa. He was so happy to find out that at least you turned out to be alive!"
Not without some scars but hey. I'll take it. "I felt the same way," She told him with her beaming smile. "Hey. This might sound a little weird to ask but... did your Dad ever sing you a song before bedtime?"
To that, he nodded enthusiastically. "Yes! It's called 'Hero'. It's by his favorite band! He told me that he'd sing it to you all the time."
"Mm hm, he did. Even after all this time, I made sure to never forget it." She said.
"Could you sing it to me, Aunt Celest? I'm so used to it, I don't sleep well if I don't hear it."
Jun was the only person who heard me sing, but I'm sure as hell not denying my nephew of anything. "Well, since I asked if I could tuck you in bed, I'm sure he wouldn't mind if I do it this one time." Celestina brought her hand to his head once more, wishing she did not have to leave this home. "It was so wonderful to meet you today, Christian. Thanks for accepting me into your life. I'm sorry I couldn't be a part of it for the last 10 years, but I'll work on being a good aunt to you."
"You're getting there."
Oh gosh, he's gonna make me cry! "Yeah, you're definitely your father's kid!" She giggled, as she pulled the blanket closer to his chest. "Sweet dreams, Christian," With that, she began to sing the lullaby that had helped her through numerous nights in the past, glad to be able to sing it to her only nephew.
"Don't fall away, I'll help you to sing again.
It'll be alright, I'll keep you safe and sound.
Just take my hand and we'll go anywhere you want.
We can leave it all behind.
I'll be the one you call 'hero'."