Rowans Choice

Chapter Forty Two- The beginning

Our story didn't truly begin the day we married or the day we met, it didn't even begin the day we created Jupiter and merged.

Rowan and I, our story, it felt like it started at the dawning of days... but also this day right here and right now, the day we met our daughter and introduced her to her parents, to us, for the first time. The moment her little face beamed and she looked as if she had arrived home as we embraced her.

I hold her like I will never let her go, because why would I ever wish to. She is just as I had imagined, only more, much more than expected. She is a lot like Rowan. More than she described, but there I am in her eyes, and it's still unbelievable to me, how we have managed to create when it was until now an impossibility.

I run my hand over her golden hair and stroke the silky skin of her cheek "I'm sorry it took me so long to find you Jupiter"

She smiles and places her hand against my temple. All the pain and regret is removed and replaced with joy and relief. "It's okay Mummy. I knew you were coming back"

I kiss her nose and then her forehead peppering her in kisses. Something I had never done but always wished I had got a chance to do. To kiss my child.

"I won't ever leave you again" I promise.

"I know" she says in a sweet and sure voice I could lose myself in.

Rowan bends down and places her hands on both of our shoulders "let's get you home"

Jupiter looked to her a little unsure.

"And willow" Rowan adds to reassure her.

She smiles with relief "Willow too" she confirms.

Rowan and I nod.

"And the troll... can I take him" she asks.

Sycamore rolls his eyes and sighs.

"He might not be around" I try and say as calmly as possible. I wanted to kill him. I had a million questions.

Jupiter runs over and takes his hand, dragging him over "please let me keep him" she pleads with large puppy dog eyes "he's in the dreams... he's there when I'm older" she reveals eagerly.

Rowan and I look to each other. Willow interjects "Jupiter sees things yet to be" she explains.

Rowan looks concerned and I take her hand to soothe her worries. 

"You didn't think to mention that bit earlier" she asks Willow.

"Anybody else in the future we should know about that's not already here" Rowan can't help but ask.

Jupiter calmly nods and places her hand against my belly, looking up to us all with a cheeky smile "My sister of course... Leda"

Willow tries not to smile as she realises that Leda was quite clearly glowing already beneath Jupiters small hand

"Leda" Rowan and I both repeat as we looked to each other.

"I wonder which one of us picked that" I question.

Rowan slowly smiles "Leda is one of Jupiter's moons" she confirms.

"So, you did" I suggest with a teasing smile as she leans over and kisses my cheek. "Not a traditional name of the trees. I'm surprised"

Rowan placed one more kiss "we aren't traditional though are we" she reminded me.

"But we mostly call her Lee" Jupiter informs as she hands Rowan a drawing.