Father's Daughter

3.05

CHAPTER FIVE

Lyra loved mornings on Jovian; the sun always seemed gentler, casting a warm glow over the lush, otherworldly landscape of her father's home. The air was thick with the scent of alien flowers, vibrant with colors she'd never seen on Earth, and the leaves of plants gleamed with an iridescent sheen. Today, however, her heart felt fuller, her arms carefully wrapped around two precious bundles: Inkeri and Estelle. She carried her daughters close, their tiny bodies snug in soft blankets, their little faces relaxed in peaceful sleep.

She walked beside Scathan, her father, feeling a strange sense of balance that felt both new and ancient, as if her heart had known this moment was coming. As they strolled through the garden, Lyra's gaze drifted from the strange, beautiful plants to her daughters.

"Look at this place, girls," she whispered, her voice filled with awe as she spoke to the babies nestled against her chest. "Isn't it amazing? You're going to love it here." She traced a finger gently over Inkeri's tiny hand, the baby's little fingers instinctively curling around her own. It was all so surreal.

Scathan walked beside her, watching his daughter's wonder with a soft smile. "They already look at peace with you, Lyra," he murmured, his deep voice filled with a warmth rarely heard. "Almost as if they know they're home."

Lyra looked up at her father, seeing the tenderness in his expression as he reached out to touch Estelle's tiny hand. She watched as her father's face softened even more when Estelle grasped his finger, her small fist clinging tightly.

She smiled, feeling her heart swell. "Maybe they do. I still can't believe they were just... there, waiting for us."

Scathan's gaze turned thoughtful as he continued to walk beside her, watching the babies with reverence. "The universe has its way of guiding us to where we're needed," he said, his tone wise and calm. "And right now, it looks like these two need you, Lyra."

Lyra's chest tightened at his words, the gravity of the moment settling over her. She felt a pang of gratitude toward her father, this strange, silent being who had always offered guidance and wisdom when she needed it most. She took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the responsibility she'd chosen, yet also feeling how right it was.

"It feels so natural... being their mom," she admitted, her voice soft, almost to herself. "I didn't expect it to, but... here I am."

They continued strolling, the gentle breeze brushing over them, ruffling their clothes and bringing with it the faint hum of Jovian's alien wildlife. Inkeri and Estelle's little eyes blinked open, round and curious, as they gazed at the colors around them. Lyra could see the awe in their expressions, her heart swelling with joy.

"Look, Inkeri," she whispered, pointing to a vivid blue plant with tendrils of light dancing around it. "That one's almost as blue as the sky on Earth."

Scathan chuckled softly, watching her with a mixture of pride and affection. "It's amazing, isn't it? The beauty of every world we discover... though some are harsher than others."

Just then, Lyra felt an odd, creeping sensation, a pulse of energy that pricked at her awareness. Her smile faded, her eyes narrowing in concern. She glanced back toward the house, a sense of unease rising within her.

"Do you feel that?" she asked, voice low, her instincts on high alert. "It's coming from inside."

Without another word, she carefully handed both babies to Scathan, who took them without hesitation, his expression turning serious. "Can you hold them for a second, Dad? I need to check something."

"Of course," he replied, shifting the babies into his arms as she turned and headed toward the house, her steps quickening. She felt her pulse race, every nerve alert as she approached the room where her mother's staff was kept.