Chapter 2: Blissfulness Interrupted1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJqXcrke1SF
1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQLpooXvU0K
Three years quietly passed with the couple enjoying their little bundle of joy. Sophia, age twenty-seven, primarily stayed home with Alura while Nate, age thirty, worked construction and other odd jobs. To say Sophia had her hands full was an understatement.1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn38ZyqsrAi
1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk5pbjAxBKw
               "Alura get back here!" Sophia shouted as she ran after a fleeing Alura that was sopping wet and covered with soap bubbles.1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHlJy05Vwc8
1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡASEwKzVUnX
               "No!" the then two year old shouted while giggling as she dodged the towel.1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0dqThVupy3
1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs06xyPOqFb
               At a later time, "Alura, come and let mommy help you with your new dress~" Sophia sang with excitement to see her little angel in a new outfit she had fixed up. She came to her and Nate's door. She pushed the door open the rest of the way to better hear the sounds of giggling. Her jaw dropped then a smile came across her face at the sight.1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVAWatZEw6a
1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpVfjL4z0LY
               Alura came walking out clumsily in a pair of her mother's heels and one of her dresses. "Look mommy! I'm mommy!" she cheered happily with a wide grin on her face. Sophia laughed and stepped closer before helping get the over sized garment off and the new, right sized dress on.1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyOephQyhDL
1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbyRa0Qhsdm
A few days before her third birthday, Alura sneaked into her mother's bedroom and began going through her jewelry box. Sophia stirred in bed but stayed resting as Alura found what she was looking for. She held up her mother's necklace she wore on a daily basis and admired the blue sapphire stone. She moved and climbed up onto the bench, then slipped the necklace on before admiring herself in the mirror. "I'm like mommy!" she cheerfully praised her reflection a bit loud. Sophia groaned and began to stir more then started stretching before sitting up. "Uh oh." Quickly she took off as fast as her little legs would allow.1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzrNLqqmvrO
1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfsykYDsCD3
               Sophia slipped out of bed, her sleepy eyes catching a blurred sight of color dashing away. She made her way to the vanity and started to brush her hair before pausing mid-brush when she noticed her jewelry box was a mess. She finished the brush through while closing her eyes and releasing a breath. "Oh Alura~" she called as she set the brush down and opened her eyes. "Can you come here sweetie?"1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ90sozQn9Jd
1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNK7MZanqBN
              "Uh...Alura's not here! Leave a message, beeeeep!" she called back from atop the stairs.1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡONfNrAJsvj
1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjnqDqjyjs
               Sophia shook her head and began stepping out before starting up the stairs. "Now, come and give mommy back her necklace."1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyxv7bLdjEi
1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ26UroRliDQ
               "No, I'mma be like mommy." Alura said defiantly before taking off to her room as she took the necklace off and hid it inside her own ballerina themed jewelry box.1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrovMXPygb7
1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd2GQ6nOO39
               Sophia made her way into the girl's messy room that had toys and clothing scattered about, and looked around before looking at Alura who had quickly grabbed two of her dolls and started to play. She looked around and sighed, putting her hands on her hips. "Alright, where's mommy's necklace?"1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ023MNLZql8
1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBC1CgE3G1
               "I dunno." Alura answered innocently while she avoided looking up at her mother.1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6uQ0nkiE4E
1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZiu3w4FSKw
               Sophia knelt down and folded her arms on top of her lap. "Please, sweetie, I got that necklace from my mother." Softly one of her hands touched her chest where the stone normally would rest. "It means a great deal to me because she has since passed."1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQGwsYKffW
1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVEHlqN7eUv
               Alura slowly stopped her play and took this in with her eyes locked on the dolls. Quietly she spoke. "But...I want to be like you mommy." She looked up to Sophia sadly.1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLNe8XQxDqW
1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw6LMQZOQVh
               "I know dear but..." she mulled over her next words. "How about when you are older, mommy will get you a necklace all your own that's like mommy's? But you would need to show to me you're a big girl and, it would only be if, after our needs are taken care of, we have the money left to spare." This made Alura's eyes light up with a smile creeping across her face. "Only if we have the money after we buy food and pay our expenses while you show us you're a responsible big girl." Sophia held a hand out. "Deal?"1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTkfoAGmoFP
1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDrAKtDJTsa
               Alura swiftly nodded and took her mothers hand, giving it a good shake before scrambling up and to her jewelry box. She came back and slipped the necklace over her mother's head. "Sorry mommy. You mad at me?" she asked with her cute way with words.1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0XYAjw7DM
1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmU5SQIPygR
               Sophia shook her head and pulled her into a hug. "Nope. I could never be mad at you." She tickled the girl who burst out in squeals of laughter.1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdgEbd8Ea3i
1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG4XD7cEmEB
It was the night before Alura's birthday and was asleep all snug in her bed as Sophia had returned to her and Nate's room. Nate had finished changing, as had she, and she glanced at his worried reflection in her mirror from his place on their bed while she brushed her hair. "Honey, what's wrong?"1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN2S7KTQfbP
1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN3okVVG02J
               "...Sophia...I think we should move to another island."1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpETTFKyYuU
1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKd0l8TSsv
               She stopped brushing when hearing his serious tone and turned around to face him with the brush coming to her lap. "What?" he didn't answer, only setting his eyes on the floor. "Why?"1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbpra5RntBi
1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡenPSy5p9rF
               "It's...I don't feel right. Something's wrong and I think we should move." He finally turned his eyes up to lock with hers. "I'm worried for your and Alura's safety."1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqMbZhzH24
1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8e80ST8ckg
               "Nate, I'm not sure what's going on but Flora's not in any danger. Our King has kept things up to par defense wise and there's been no formal announcements of any danger."1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALWSkLqJ2V
1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0dstEbw0oL
               Nate groaned as his hands balled into fists on his knees. "Honey, please, hear me out. I can't explain it but something's going to happen and we need to leave."1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl3krWGSM7D
1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnbs4ctrz64
               "What happens if your feeling is wrong and nothing comes to Flora? I know Alura's only two and can readjust but I don't want to uproot her from her home based only on a hunch." She explained while she maintained a tone to not be dismissive yet did show her doubts over a mere hunch.1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI0BDBwWxVO
1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2WaUxUrejY
               "Then we'll come back if nothing happens after a while."1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxKbZhQ5mM
1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv12qfNcbpI
               "How long is 'a while' going to be?" she questioned with an eyebrow arching.1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNNvgL4Md7p
1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHbtuUReR75
               Nate bit his lip and rubbed the back of his head. "Well...um I'm not sure. Maybe a good five or more years?" he answered with a small squeak to his uncertain voice.1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5T6vEpg697
1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbtJa3lUGIj
               Sophia stood, put her brush on the vanity and made her way over then sat beside her husband. Softly she reached out to rest her hand on one of his fists. "I love you so much but I really think we're fine." He looked to her as she continued. "Let's wait and see what we can learn from reports from the King before we make any rash choices. Please?"1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmu3QggpqNd
1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYV5vMuoLb2
               Nate released a heavy breath and placed his other hand that curled opened on top of hers. "...I really don't think we should wait..." he felt a very uncomfortable twisting in his gut and it was easy to read on his face. "But...I don't want to upset you or Alura." He took a deep breath then released it with a heavy heart. "I'll check with the King and do air patrols as often as I can. If I still feel by winter things aren't right then would you be more likely to consider us at least going somewhere else for a vacation for a time?"1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4K0iOA7WHD
1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQkmGz9hFx
               "Alright, I'll agree to that."1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOwWRK4X0oa
1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLpe2sYKRqO
               "Thank you." He quietly said as he leaned in and they shared a kiss.1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB79wOTF7fC
1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7BLJ8u1IgV
               "Let's get some sleep. We'll need all our energy for her party tomorrow." He nodded and they got under the covers, into the others arms and went to bed after turning out the lights.1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH5ZGtU2A7B
1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBbWQYIVI5C
Alura's third birthday came and went with the summer weather that had now faded into fall. Alura's brown locks were pulled back into two ponytails as she ran towards a pile of leaves, diving right in with high pitched laughter. They had walked the roughly two miles from their home to give Nate some peace on his day off. Sophia made her way over and sat on a bench to rest. She rested a hand on the protrusion she had hoped would be hidden more than it was by her jacket. "Yay! This is fun!" Alura cheered as she shot out of the colorful pile similar to a swimmer coming up from a dive for air. "Mommy come and play!"1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡalX8OQGdxj
1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ7Kq5r6TTi
               Sophia smiled shaking her head. "Mommy will come play shortly. Let mommy catch her breath."1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx7zyaHwRhp
1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbKrj0IHQJ5
               "Did the baby take it again?" the girl pouted with her cute face scrunching up. "Do I need to talk to it again to stop taking things?"1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuBbLhTovi7
1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO6l0XJIe6a
               "Hehe, no dear, I'm sure the baby remembers." She giggled gently. Alura went back to playing in the leaves under her mother's gaze, blissfully unaware in her cute little outfit of the conversation that happened about a month into two ago.1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37nd8YywIN
1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtPDw2GZD3x
               "Mommy, did you catch your breath yet?"1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6uNBeRl1l
1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76uiM81wSc
               "Yes," she stood and made her way over before splashing leaves up at Alura like water. "And I'm ready to play!" she laughed as she got down and tried to catch Alura. Alura squealed and shuffled away in the crunching leaves before throwing leaves at Sophia and Sophia doing the same in return.1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOrgm10H6fz
1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJiLpmSiFjp
                Alura gathered up some leaves, stuck them in her hair and gathered two hand fulls as she made herself stand as big and tall as she could. "Roar! I'm the leaf monster and I will punish you for touching my leaves!" 1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBg9dyEZ7s3
1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJfTo2YNOGh
               Sophia tried not to giggle and instead put on her best scared face. "Oh no! Whatever will I do against a big bad leaf monster?" she expressed dramatically while moving back with Alura coming closer. "Maybe I'll try tickling my way to safety!" she moved quickly closer and grabbed Alura around the waist as she began the tickle attack.1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4D4rnPDsxK
1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmas5pX5JxZ
               Alura burst out in laughter as she wiggled to get away, losing hold of her leaves. "No fair! No fair mommy!" she squealed with delight.1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYDRtgL5WfH
1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe0B10m63jk
               "Hahah what's the big monster going to do against the tickle monster?" she joked and laughed as Alura began to tickle her back. When the tickling stopped, Sophia opened her eyes and sat up to look at her daughter with confusion. "Alura, is something wrong?"1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0cSheDzQHd
1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsqRuQpe0eS
               Alura didn't answer right away as she stared out to the horizon. "Mommy, I hear loud noises." This answer was vague and didn't bring any clarity. "It sounds like bulldozers."1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUn08zYg6Ze
1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyFsXC2htwZ
               "Bulldozers? But there's not supposed to be any construction going on." Sophia stood and watched the horizon. It took a few minutes in the cool breeze before dust and smoke came into view. Her face fell when the outline of the machinery began to look a lot more like military units. Swiftly she swept Alura up, pulled her close to her chest and turned all in one motion, taking off as fast as she could back to their home.1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCkUx8bkPJ
1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJGTYIUK6F
               Alura 'eeped' when picked up and when her mother was running, she wiggled her way up to look back over her mother's shoulder. Her brown-blue eyes stared with wide-eyed curiosity. "What are they?" she whispered in the awe only a naive child would have.1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAj19M2kapY
1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvC9rC8BODI
               "Bad, they are very bad sweetie."1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ENDQjIF69
1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ97c8WKAiZp
They were now less than half a mile from their home when the faint sound of artillery fire sang into the once quiet air. Explosions cried out in the distance behind them but one came closer as it exploded on impact. Alura squeaked in fear as debris flew and as she peeked back over her mother's shoulder, she gasped while ducking down into her chest. "Mommy! Danger!" she cried in terror as tears came to the corners of her eyes.1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmhjIoapAtL
1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcvJZ7v4LJl
               Sophia glanced back and closed her eyes tightly while curling her head down over her daughter, holding her tighter to shield her. Her stone glimmered at the same time the projectile struck the ground just a few feet from them. They were thrown with shrieks of fear yet mostly uninjured upon striking the ground. A watery shimmer passed over them and stayed while the sapphire pulsed its soft light. Slowly Sophia shifted and pushed up with one arm as the other had a firm hold on a shaking and crying Alura. "Shhhh, shhhh, it's okay, calm down." She whispered while gently bouncing the girl as she got to her feet.1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Iu1JRbr7W
1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyMaPZbXuso
               The explosion was not lost to anyone inside as Nate came racing out and made his way to Sophia's side, helping her up. "You okay?" she nodded and looked over to see the Flora military coming to the scene as they hurried inside. Nate returned and locked the door as Sophia continued on into the hallway. It didn't take long before Nate was right behind her and pulled up on the hidden door to their cellar. She headed down first and he secured it once inside, then turned his attention to her while waving a hand to light the lanterns with his fire magic. "I told you something bad was coming."1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtYpHxPS9B5
1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgUPkCNwDI0
               Sophia bit her lower lip looking down at Alura who was latched onto her though had quieted down. "I'm sorry Nate," she looked up to him regretfully, "I didn't think anything bad was coming. I wanted to be hopeful it was just a paranoid feeling of yours."1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJsT7U0oed
1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmezYL0U7ZC
               Nate shook his head, sat down beside her and hugged her with their girl. "I'm not mad. It's alright and things will be okay, I promise." He whispered softly before kissing her cheek gently. There was silence as his keen hearing listened to the battle happening above.1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjyCYl4B1km
1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLioxBH6hPo
               Sophia stayed close to him and slowly looked up to his eyes and noticed a gleam. Her face fell and she shook her head. "Nate, don't you dare. Don't-"1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4PGpm3wXL
1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3hqQlT58D5
               "Sophia, they don't stand a chance against an army of demons. They are human and more feeble."1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg3i1MP0Hjw
1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoeMFwY7nKA
               "I know that but..." she closed her eyes as he held her closer and rubbed her back.1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ7cJZsaoXA
1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPAh6UNRKXf
               Alura released Sophia and hugged Nate tightly. "Stay daddy. Don't make mommy cry." She pleaded.1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKgDfXC9Kcf
1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFePEbDsZB
               "Alura..." he whispered gently before releasing Sophia and pulled the girl up and held her close. "I'll be fine. Daddy is big and strong." Alura shook her head as tears fell and she buried her face into his chest. "Sweetie, look at me." She shook her head, "come on, please?" slowly she turned her teary gaze up to her father's. Kindly he wiped her eyes of the tears. "Do you trust daddy to keep his promises?" she thought then nodded. "Then I promise both you and mommy that I'll come back after I make all the bad people go away."1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsfcCzCzedp
1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8ax7uJhPF
               "You really promise?" she asked adorably and he nodded. "Okay you better or I'll be mad at you."1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYuHHOIT6Q
1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEGtc8qlu1F
               "Got it." He said pleased and had Alura return to Sophia.1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwhGjXMsjnF
1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMG26WV0clh
               "Nate..." Sophia whispered softly with tears in the corner of her eyes, her mind buzzing with dark thoughts she would lose him. Her eyes closed as he moved in and gently kissed her lips once then a second time deeply, attempting to give her some assurance.1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGQfXxDzk0
1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMACjniFcNV
               Once breaking the kiss, he slowly opened his eyes and noticed a gleam from his blue teardrop necklace. Carefully he reached behind his neck, unlatched it, removed the jewelry and put it around Sophia's neck where he fastened it. "Give this back to me once I return, alright?" she looked down to his trinket momentarily before returning her gaze up to him. "If I want my family heirloom back then I'll have to return, right?" gently she nodded and nuzzled into his hand that had lifted, creasing her cheek lovingly. "Stay here and don't come out no matter what you hear outside, promise?"1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgvRfIw4NUn
1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡerztnZsndR
               "Alright, I promise but please, be careful." Sophia plead softly as he nodded, gently touching her slightly pudgy belly with a kind smile.1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtkPiUlgioz
1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7J37QaHNyJ
               "I will, for you and our family." One last kiss was shared before he moved away from his wife and children. He undid, opened and left through the cellar door before closing it again. 1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZq70xgvhOK
1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwfk2NKSjkU
               Sophia gently set Alura on the floor and made her way up to the door, locking it from the inside as a few tears slipped free down her cheeks. Please, please come back to us. 1297Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH7MaO3EnAt
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