Exton

Star watches as Laila lowers her head and is gifted with the wreath of flowers. Laila smiles shyly, her cheeks pink when she glances around the crowd. Star smiles at her and takes a deep breath. I want to talk to her and I cant be a child any longer. I am a mother, I should be able to talk to a girl without being afraid...

Star glances back at Erik and winks at him making him laugh. She lets the deep breath out and walks towards Laila. “Hello again..”

Laila smiles, “Hi. Is that your baby? She is so sweet...”

“Sort of. She is my foster daughter...” and Star points out Keon and explains how Mera came to live with her and Erik.

Covering her mouth with a hand Laila gives a small gasp. “How sad... poor thing... so her mother was a nymph?”

Star nods and Laila asks “Does she swim yet?”

Keon notices Erik keeping a close eye on his wife. “Does the girl worry you?”

Erk shrugs, “I dont think its her so much as the one that keeps her. Rowan says there is nothing to worry about from the girl. I trust her judgement.”

“Aye. Rowan could nae lie to anyone. I should get Mera to bed, but she looks as if she is enjoying the attention..”

Erik whistles for Wolf who comes running, Lobo in hot pursuit. Erik scratches Wolf's ears and whispers “Skrá sig út the stúlka með Stjarna, láta mig vita ef hún geta vera a vinur.”*

Star is saying goodnight to Mera and handing her to Keon when the wolves come running over. Star laughs at their antics and asks Keon to make sure the nanny lets Mera and Gracie sleep in the same crib. “I promised them they could.”

Keons eyes go wide but he nods and agrees.

Star returns to Laila who is being thoroughly inspected by the wolves. Star pushes them back and tells them to stop. “I like your flowers. Did Ramji give them to you? Do you know what all the flowers mean?”

Laila blushes and nods. “I dont know why he gave them to me. He doesnt even know me..”

Laughing softly Star takes her hand, “He must be interested... Do you want to meet my family?”

“I dont know, I...”

Sensing her shyness, Star says “Well, lets just sit over there...” she points to a bench under a large tree in plain view of the large picnic tables that Raina had pushed together for the family and friends. “I can at least tell you who everyone is. Would that be better for you?”

“Oh yes. For now at least, that would be nice.”

Rowan watches the two girls from her spot at the picnic table. Traeger is sitting next to her and looks up wondering why she suddenly fell silent. His glance goes from the two girls walking hand in hand to Rowan. “What is it sweetheart?”

As Rowan watches as the crowd fades to a forest and evening gives way to a bright sunny day. Two girls are walking together, their dresses long, surcoates in bright colors and their hair neatly braided and covered. Rowan blinks and the scene returns to normal, Star and Laila taking seats on a bench nearby, wolf and Lobo laying at their feet.

“Those two have known each other before...long before this...”


*Check out the girl with Star, let me know if she can be a friend