Man On The Moon

XV

FLASHBACK

In the flashback, Nolan, Liana's husband, stands near a small crib. Inside are the newborn twins, Vettel and Seele. The room is filled with the happiness of new parents as they look down at their children.

Nolan: "Look at them, Liana. They're perfect. Our twin miracles."

Liana, looking tired but radiant with joy, nods in agreement. She reaches out a gentle hand and touches the heads of the newborns, their tiny bodies wrapped in blankets.

Liana: "They are, aren't they? I'm so happy, darling. Our family is complete now."

Young Acheron, who is only around 5 years old, is standing by the crib, looking down at the twins with wide-eyed wonder. She grins at Seele and Vettel, a childish excitement in her voice.

Acheron: "Seele! And Vettel! Welcome to our family! You're cute!"

The twins, still too young to understand her words, just coo and gurgle in response. Liana and Nolan chuckle from where they're standing, amused by Acheron's enthusiasm.

Liana: "Looks like Acheron's already taken a liking to them, darling."

Nolan nods, a fond smile on his face.

Nolan: "Yes, she seems quite excited to have siblings. I think she'll make a great big sister."

Liana laughs softly, her eyes still on the twins.

Liana: "I have a feeling she's going to spoil them rotten."

Nolan smiles at this, a hint of laughter in his voice.

Nolan: "Oh, almost certainly. But they'll adore her, I do not doubt that. They're lucky to have an older sibling like Acheron."

In the background, Acheron is still chattering away to the twins, her voice high and excited. She's already smitten with them.

Acheron: "I'm gonna take care of you, okay? And I'll teach you all sorts of things! Like colours and how to count and...and... well, everything!"

The twins, still unaware of her words, continue their baby sounds, blissfully unaware of the excited future they have in store with Acheron. Nolan and Liana exchange amused glances, their hearts full of warmth at the sight of their little family. Liana, her expression soft, turns to Nolan.

Liana: "We're really lucky, you know. To have these two, and such a wonderful daughter. Our family is perfect."

Nolan wraps an arm around Liana's shoulders, drawing her close.

Nolan: "We are. And I'm grateful every day for all of it. For you, for the kids, for our home. I can't ask for more than this."

****

Back to the present, Vettel, anger and suspicion dissipating, look at Seele with new eyes. The revelation from the flashback rings true in his mind, the similarities in their appearances undeniable now.

Vettel: "You... you're my sister? That flashback... it was real?"

Seele nods quietly, her expression unreadable. She waits for his reaction, knowing all too well how strange and unexpected this revelation must be. Vettel stares at her, disbelief slowly turning into acceptance. He touches her face, his fingers tracing the familiar outline of her eyes, her nose, her mouth.

Vettel: "I... I can't believe it. But I can't deny it either. You look like me. And Acheron..."

Seele, her eyes meeting his, responds quietly.

Seele: "Yes. Acheron and I are twins, just like us. It's a strange twist of fate, isn't it?"

Vettel, the weight of the revelation settling in, pulls Seele into a tight embrace. A thousand emotions are running through his mind, but the one that stands out the most is a sense of familial connection he never knew he had.