Devoured Destiny (Completed, but being rewritten and edited.)

Epilogue - Never-ending Quest.

I watch the stars twinkle in the night sky, as I twirl my toes around in the water of the little fish pond at my home. This place always bring me comfort when I am in need. The night breeze hits my face like a soft caress, and I can feel my daughters presence in the air. I know that she is still alive, and out there somewhere. 

It has been five years. 

Five whole years, searching for our daughter. 

Neven is travelling our world, still on the never-ending quest to find our child. He insisted that I stay home in case she ever finds her way back to us. Back home. 

I haven't given up on her, and I have faith that we will all reunite again. It just pains me to the very bottom of my heart and soul that we have lost her for the time being. 

I think about how everything has worked out though. 

Two years ago, Neven and Jones finally made up, and are even civil towards each other. I never, in my life, thought that it could happen. 

But it did. 

A year after I had Jones secretly helping us on his end, I decided to reveal to Neven that he was indeed helping us. At first, he was furious. 

Furious that I had went to him.

Furious that I had kept it from him for so long. 

But after a few days of arguing, and a few days of calm and rational discussion, he came to forgive me. 

"Hey." I snap out of my thoughts, and turn to see Jones sitting at the edge of the pond beside me. 

"Oh, hey. Sorry, I was kind of lost in thought there for a minute." I softly say. 

"That's okay. What were you thinking about?" He inquires, staring at me with those entrancing eyes of his. 

I gently smile, and place my hand on his thigh. 

"Just about how everything has fallen apart, and at the same time, has come together as well." 

He smiles in return. 

"I think I understand, gem." He places his hand on top of mine, sending a warm feeling through my body. 

I look back up to the night sky, staring at the brightest star I see. Like every night, after staring for so long at it, I close my eyes, and make a wish. 

I wish for Embrie to be safe, and well. For her to be happy. 

I open my eyes, and release the breath that I had been holding. Jones is staring at me, and I can already sense the next question that he is going to ask me. 

"There's something special about that particular star." I say, beating him to it. I point in the direction of the star, and he leans in closer to my face to see it better. 

"It's big." He says, still staring at it. 

"And it's brighter then the others." I also point out. "It always seems to be twinkling, and I can't help but to think that there is someone out there that can hear my wishes. My hopes." I whisper, almost more to myself then for his ears. 

He puts his finger to my cheek, wiping away a tear that I was unaware of. 

When did I start crying?

"We will find her." He says confidently. 

I swish the water around with my feet, watching the fish dart my movements. 

"She is six years old today, you know..." I trail off. My baby is no longer a baby. I don't even know how she looks now. Does she look more like me? Or like Neven? Is she happy? Does she know that we even exist? There are so many unanswered questions, that I would kill to have answered for me. Just to see her face, and know that my girl is safe. I can feel that she is alive, I just don't know where. 

Jones embraces me in a hug, and I snuggle into him accepting the warmth he has to offer. 

"We will never stop looking for her, Ariel." He reassures me. 

"I don't know how long my heart will hold out without her, Jones. It's just so painful..."  He tightens his arms around me. 

"You are strong, and stubborn.  Two of the things that made me love you so dearly, gem. You will  fight through this battle, like every other battle. And you will win. Neven and I will make sure that Embrie is found. I can't promise you when, or how, but we will." 

At that very moment, I knew.

I now know that everything he just said is true. 

These two strong and loving men would fight until the end of the world for myself and my daughter. And I will do the same. There's no point in quitting. 

I can't quit. 

It's not the way I was born to be. 

Everything will be alright. 

I will get through this, and so will Embrie. 

I look up at my star for one last time, before shutting my eyes, and enjoy the comforting feeling of being held tight by my best friend.