Nineteen years ago…
"Mama, mama!"
Seven-year-old Kaelis ran straight toward his mother without slowing down.
Lyra gasps softly and immediately catches him before he crashes into her, wrapping both arms around his tiny body.
"Oh, my little starling, you have to be careful."
Kaelis only giggles.
"I'm always careful!"
Lyra gently pinches his cheek.
"Are you?"
"Uh huh."
"I don't think so."
"I really am though!" Kaelis argues proudly. "If I wasn't careful, I would be dead by now."
For a second, Lyra simply stares at him.
Then she bursts into quiet laughter.
"You have quite the sense of humor on you, my cosmos."
She takes his small hand and intertwines their fingers.
"Have you finished your lessons with Love?"
"Yep!"
"Did you give her a hard time again?"
Kaelis immediately falls silent.
His eyes drift toward the flowers instead of meeting his mother's gaze.
"…no."
Lyra chuckles.
"That sounded very much like a lie, stardust."
Kaelis lets out a dramatic sigh.
