Reclaiming My Broken Luna by Selene Souchon

EPILOGUE (Ryker’s POV) Special Chapter: Ryker's Perspective

The sun was shining so brightly today that it made the grass sparkle like little stars.

I loved running through it barefoot-it felt soft and tickly. I stretched my arms out, pretending I was flying, and ran down the hill as fast as I could.

"Ryker, don't go too far!" Mommy called from the garden bench where she sat with Aunt Nova.

"I won't, Mommy!" I shouted back, spinning around to wave at her. She was smiling at me, and I couldn't help but smile back.

Mommy had the best smile. It made me feel warm inside, like I was wrapped in a big, soft blanket.

I loved hearing her laugh, too, which she was doing now because Aunt Nova said something funny.

They both had big bellies because there were babies inside. I couldn't wait to meet them.

I ran back up the hill to Mommy and climbed onto the bench next to her. "Why are you laughing, Mommy?" I asked, curious.

Mommy chuckled and brushed some grass out of my hair. "Aunt Nova was telling me about how much her baby likes apples. I was just saying that your little brother or sister really loves oranges. I can't stop eating them!"

I tilted my head, looking at her big belly. "I liked oranges too?"

Mommy shook her head, smiling. "No, little one. You liked chocolate pudding. I couldn't get enough of it when you were in my tummy."

I giggled. "I liked pudding before I was born?"

Aunt Nova laughed. "Oh, yes! You liked it so much that we thought you might turn into a bowl of pudding!"

The idea of being pudding was so silly that I laughed and leaned against Mommy. "Mommy, did Daddy bring you pudding all the time?"

The question made Mommy's smile falter a little, and her hand rested gently on my back.

say anything right away, but her eyes grew soft in

"Daddy wasn't with me when I was pregnant with

I frowned. "Why?"

could answer, a shadow passed over us. Daddy had come back from the training grounds, his face a little sweaty but his

crouched down in front of

he asked, trying to sound cheerful, but there

you with Mommy when I was in her

faded, and for a moment, he looked like he didn't know what

understand each other very well. We... we made mistakes, and we were apart for a

didn't know?"

head, his jaw

"No.

known, I would've

step of the way.

Aery step

I wasn't, Ryker.

neck because he

tightly, and I could feel how

I'll never leave you or

and watched Mommy and

hand was on her belly, and her

were now. When

I remembered how

and every time I tried to make her happy,

It was easier

thought she was the

smiled at me and held me like she wanted me, and for

out loud, but I wished she was my