Ill Met By Moonlight

Chapter 52: Acceptance

''I'll have n-nothing...'' Miranda whimpered, wrapping her arms around herself.

''That's not true Miranda.'' Lex said, placing her hand on the woman's back. ''You have four kids. They may not biologically be yours but they are on paper, aren't they?''

Miranda looked up at the woman, a few tears slipping down her face. She looked towards the Four Lords. Each of them stared at her. It was true, she did adopt them. She took them in. But it was all to see if they would be a fit vessel for her daughter and yet... What she did to them wasn't what a mother should do to her children.

''I don't have the right to call them my kids...'' Miranda breathed out, almost as if she just gave up. ''I doubt they even want me as a mother... it would make sense... considering what I did... I'm a horrible mother...''

''Despite everything you've done, they love you.'' Lex said, Miranda's head snapped to her. Even if Lex didn't see it, she knew all of they Lords looked to the ground. ''You gave Lord Heisenberg his family factory back to him. You save Lady Dimitrescu from a blood disease. You gave Donna and Lord Moreau a family.''

''I would be lying... if I said everything Lex said is bullshit.'' Lord Heisenberg said, gently rocking Rosemary in his arms.

''Perhaps it isn't too late for atonement.'' Lex said, slowly getting up. She held out her hand for Miranda to take. The priestess looked at her hand. She hesitated but took Lex's hand, slowly standing. When she was on her feet, she released Lex's hand.

''I hope you're right... Lex.'' Miranda looked directly into Lex's blue eye. ''I should... I should let Eva rest...''

Lex looked over at the Lords, including Lord Moreau, waving them over. All four of them hesitated before slowly walking over. Miranda just watched them all. With a shaky breath, she spoke. ''I give up... Rosemary Winters will not be harmed further by me...''

Lord Heisenberg snorted, a sad smile on his face, tilting his head down at the baby in his arms. Everyone turned to Ethan Winters. But when their eyes landed on the man, they all froze in place. Ethan Winters... was gone. All the remained of him was is coat and a large crystal torso. Where his head was suppose to be, was a rose. And in the middle of his chest, was a large heart.

Everyone, except Lord Heisenberg stared at the remains. It felt like an eternity before anyone said anything.

''We should... give him a proper burial.'' Donna said, stepping close to Lex. The snowy haired woman felt the Dollmaker link their fingers together.

''Yes, he deserves it. I believe he's been fighting for quite sometime.'' Miranda swallowed, looking down at the crystal torso. The woman stepped towards the torso, but stopped after a few steps. The woman turned around so quickly it caused each of the Four Lords to flinch. Lex didn't flinch, merely giving Donna's hand a squeeze.

''Before I... Before I do that, may I... embrace you? Each of you?'' she asked with hopeful blue eyes. Each of the Lords, other that Lord Moreau, hesitated. Miranda no doubt saw this in them and quickly added, ''you don't have to. I wouldn't blame any of you.''

Lord Moreau hobbled over to the blonde woman. Giving her shy glances. Miranda looked down at him as the other three Lords watched closely. Each of them were still on edge, unsure if Miranda was truly going to stop pursuing what she had been working on for so long.

The woman kneeled down, placing her hands on each side of his face. Miranda suddenly pulled the heavily mutated man towards her, trapping him in a tight embrace. Everyone, except for Lex, flinched again. As if he couldn't believe it, Lord Moreau slowly embraced the woman. The two of them stayed like that for a long moment before Miranda pulled away.

The blonde brushed a few strands of his hair out of his face. She looked like she was on the verge of tears once again. ''I should have done that long ago. I'm so sorry, Salvatore.''

Miranda stood up, gently patting the fishman's head. Lady Dimitrescu slowly stepped towards the woman. The blonde looked up at her eldest. Very hesitantly, the much taller woman leaned down. The blonde, just like with Salvatore, hugged the woman; having to stand on the tips of her toes in order to do so. The taller woman gently, wrapped one arm around her before pulling away.

''I'm sorry, Alcina. I know it doesn't take back everything I've done. I'm so sorry my girl.''

The eldest sibling looked to her young sister and brother. Giving them a small nod; telling them that it was okay. Lord Heisenberg looked to Donna, giving Rosemary to the Dollmaker. It was clear to Lex that the man didn't fully trust her. The man sighed, walking over to Miranda. He held out his hand, keeping a bit of distance between himself. The blonde looked at his hand before taking hold of it.

''I can't say we're good, but this is a start.'' he said, letting go of the woman's hand and stepping back. 

''Alright my boy.'' Miranda gave him a gentle smile. The man huffed, giving her a small smirk.

Donna walked to her younger brother, handing the baby back to him. He gently took hold of her, standing back a bit.

The Dollmaker hesitantly stepped to the blonde woman. The ravenette gently played with the blue flannel in her arms. Miranda leaned down at bit, gently placing her hand on Donna's cheek. The woman flinched at first but then leaned into it. When Lady Dimitrescu and Lord Heisenberg saw their sister flinch they both looked ready to go at Miranda. Even Lex lurched forwards a bit.

Miranda saw this and pulled away a bit. The blonde gently brushed Donna's hair from her mutated eye. ''There's my beautiful daughter.''

The woman pulled away as Lex went to Donna's side. The Dollmaker grabbed Lex's hand before turning to her, handing back her blue flannel.

The blonde smiled, glancing at Rosemary. She felt her heart clench as the thought of snatching the girl from her son but fought of the thoughts. She was determined to try to change. Hopefully for the best.

She turned to back to the crystal torso. Miranda did intend to give him a proper burial. Despite him being a thorn in her side, he went through so much to get his daughter back. He was a good father. Father of the year. Miranda was ready to be a better mother. A better mother to her adoptive children. After all, Eva needed to rest. Just like Lex said.

Miranda was almost to the crystal torso when there was a loud bang. Everyone looked towards the blonde. However, the blonde wasn't hurt. The Lords and Lex weren't hurt. The person who jumped in front of Miranda fell to the ground with a loud thud.

Lady Dimitrescu was the first to run to her, scream and tears falling from her eyes. The woman on the ground was gripping onto her side, her breathe hitching and whimpering. The tips of the woman's fingers began to crystalize as Lady Dimitrescu picked up the girl, her head snapping to Lex.

''You said she went back to the castle!'' she screamed, gripping onto her eldest daughter.

''F-Followed!...'' Bela coughed out, gasping, her chest heaving.

Lex's head snapped to one of the walls. Miranda saw this and a tree root erupted from the wall, gripping tightly onto someone. Someone with a gun. The person fell to the ground when Miranda roughly dropped them. Before Lex or anyone could react Miranda was in front of the person, grabbing them by the throat and lifting them up.

The soldier coughed, kicking and hitting Miranda's arm. In the blink of an eye, the blonde snapped their neck.

''Did you get her? Is Miranda dead?'' there was something on the soldier, a communication device. With no hesitation, Miranda picked it up to responded to the rough, male voice on the other end.

''You shot MY granddaughter. Get out of my Village before I hunt you all down and kill you all.'' she growled, crushing the device. She let the device fall along with the soldiers' dead body.

As soon as she did that, she ran to her dying granddaughter.