The morning light filtered through the massive windows of the castle, casting a soft glow across the stone floors. The once-chaotic household was oddly quiet, save for the occasional cooing and babbling of little Kael, who was busy sitting on the rug in the living room, surrounded by toys.
Ere'ana sat on the couch, her serene angelic demeanor shining as she watched her youngest child. Kikidori, meanwhile, was lounging lazily in a chair, his legs stretched out, sipping on a mug of coffee. Yumi was off in her room, no doubt on the phone with Akuma or getting into who-knows-what kind of trouble.
Kael was crawling around, his tiny hands and knees making soft thuds against the floor. His mismatched wings fluttered slightly as he moved, as if they couldn't quite decide whether to help him balance or stay out of the way.
Ere'ana smiled, tilting her head. "He's getting more adventurous every day," she said, her voice warm.
Kikidori smirked, setting his coffee down on the table. "Takes after his old man," he said.
Ere'ana raised an eyebrow. "You mean clumsy?" she teased, a playful grin tugging at her lips.
"Hey!" Kikidori protested, feigning offense. "I'm not clumsy. I'm... strategically uncoordinated."
Ere'ana rolled her eyes, but her smile remained. She turned her attention back to Kael, who had paused his crawling and was now staring intently at the coffee table.
Then, to everyone's surprise, Kael placed his tiny hands on the edge of the table and began pulling himself up. His little legs wobbled beneath him, but he managed to stand, his eyes wide with determination.
"Kikidori," Ere'ana said, her voice a mix of excitement and worry. "Look, he's standing!"
Kikidori glanced over, his crimson eyes lighting up with pride. "Well, would you look at that," he said, leaning forward in his chair. "The little guy's growing up fast."
Kael let out a delighted squeal, his wings fluttering excitedly. He released the table and stood on his own for a moment, wobbling slightly. Then, with a determined look, he took his first, tentative step.
Ere'ana gasped, her hands flying to her mouth. "He's walking!"
Kikidori grinned. "Atta boy, Kael! Show us what you've got!"
Kael took another step, his little face scrunched up in concentration. Then another. And another.
Ere'ana's eyes filled with tears of joy. "He's doing it! He's really doing it!"
But just as Kael was about to take another step, his balance wavered. His tiny legs gave out, and he began to fall forward.
Ere'ana let out a startled gasp, her wings flaring in panic. But before Kael could hit the floor, Kikidori moved with lightning speed. In one fluid motion, he leapt from his chair and caught Kael mere inches from the ground.
The room was silent for a moment, the tension thick in the air.
Then Kael let out a startled cry, his little face scrunching up as tears began to flow.
Ere'ana rushed over, her hands trembling as she reached for her son. "Oh, Kael! Are you okay, my sweet boy?" she cooed, taking him from Kikidori's arms and holding him close.
Kikidori stood up, brushing himself off and giving Ere'ana a reassuring look. "Relax, angel. I had him. No harm, no foul."
Ere'ana shot him a glare, though it lacked her usual intensity. "He could have gotten hurt, Kikidori," she said, her voice trembling slightly.
"But he didn't," Kikidori said, his tone calm. He reached out and ruffled Kael's hair gently. "See? The little guy's tougher than he looks."
Kael sniffled, his tears slowing as he clung to Ere'ana. He looked up at his father, his mismatched wings fluttering slightly.
"Da," Kael said, his voice tiny and shaky.
Ere'ana and Kikidori both froze, their eyes wide.
"Did he just—?" Ere'ana began, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Say it again, kiddo," Kikidori said, his crimson eyes softening as he leaned closer to his son. "Say 'Da.'"
Kael blinked up at his father, his little mouth forming the word again. "Da," he said, a small smile breaking through his tears.
Ere'ana let out a choked laugh, her tears of worry turning into tears of joy. "His first appropriate word," she said, her voice filled with awe.
Kikidori grinned, his pride practically radiating off him. "That's my boy," he said, his voice full of warmth.
Kael giggled, his earlier fright forgotten as he reached out for Kikidori. Ere'ana handed him over, and Kikidori held his son close, his grin never fading.
"You're gonna be a hell of a walker, kid," Kikidori said, his voice soft. "But maybe let's work on the whole 'falling' thing, yeah?"
Kael babbled in response, his wings fluttering happily.
Ere'ana watched the two of them, her heart swelling with love. Despite their differences and all the chaos that came with their lives, moments like this reminded her of how much she cherished her little family.
"Just promise me you'll be careful with him," Ere'ana said, her voice gentle.
Kikidori looked over at her, his expression serious for once. "Always," he said.
Kael let out another giggle, his tiny hands reaching up to grab at Kikidori's hair.
Ere'ana smiled, her wings relaxing as she leaned against the couch. "Our little miracle," she whispered.
And for the first time in what felt like forever, everything felt right.
The End of Chapter 22