Shining Stars

Chapter Twenty: Down Memory Lane

Ai was staying up late again. A bottle of Alcohol in her grasp. She had gotten heavily into relying on drinking, since (Y/n) had passed. It's the only thing that kept her sane. Though, she was "responsible" enough to do it in the dead of night, as she had to take care of Ruby and Aqua, since she was on a short hiatus to recover from her Lover's death.

As much as she wanted him back. Everyday she went though everything that led up to that point. She had to accept the fact that he was dead, but she just couldn't. Looking at the table she saw the ring box… It was the only thing he was unable to give her… She felt her blood boil as she looked at the box. The alcohol lessening her ability to make judgments was not helping. She felt her eye twitch as she grabbed the box with a surprising amount of care considering how she felt. 

Opening it she saw the brilliant Amethyst gem that only filled her with more rage. Rage of what she had lost, what was unjustifiably taken from her. She wanted to do so much more to that man. A slash on the arm wasn't enough… Though upon looking at it longer she felt her body relax as she loosened her grip on the box to the point where she almost dropped it. (Y/n) wouldn’t have wanted them to get out of control and try to avenge him.

As much as she wanted revenge, she couldn’t obtain it through violence, and not by herself. Besides, she was already sticking it to him, she was still standing, and even though she was drinking her problems away at that moment, she was still standing tall. But she couldn't have what she really wanted. Not right now. Instead she should focus on what was still here,  the best gifts that (Y/n) gave her. The twins who were currently asleep in her bed.

As she thought about what she could possibly do, her drunken memory trying to work out a way she could maybe help all three of them and their mental states… Because if she was dipping her toes into borderline insanity, the twins must be distraught to say the least. Then she hit it. Even in death, (Y/n) was still guiding her.

"When they're older we should bring the Aqua and Ruby here…"

- - - - - -

"Huh? The Aquarium?"

Ruby asked as she sat at the dining table as Aqua continued to tap away at his phone, something which Ai, was not the biggest fan of.

"Aqua… can you please put the phone down for a second…"

Aqua glanced up at his mother before he obliged, turning it off and looking at his mother who smiled at him.

"Good, now, It's been a week since we've been here…"

She danced around the subject of (Y/n)'s death as she knew bringing it up directly would bring Ruby into a less than desirable state.

"... And I think it would be good to get fresh air, go out and go see some marine life."

Ruby looked at her mom and seemed excited more so than she expected.

"Yes! Oh that'll be so much fun Mama!"

"Sure… Not like we have much to do here…"

With the two kids giving affirmative on wanting to go, with varying levels of excitement, she smiled as she spun the keys to their car in her hand.

"Alright then, let's go~"

- - - - - -

The three of them walked around the Aquarium taking in the sights of all the fish and marine life.. Ruby ran around like the crazy, energized bundle of energy she was, it was good to see Ruby was starting to act normal again. Though Ai could tell that Ruby seemed to always be hiding something whenever they talked… Ai would be there whenever they were ready.