Starfire Redemption

Chapter 8 - NORAD

As the green light swirled around them Holly and Travis warped in on the front deck of the new house. The sun was now reaching its apex. Travis opened the front door for Holly like a gentleman. They walked in to see Kimberley and Cyrus talking to Anna May..."ANNA MAY," Holly shouted excitedly! Her heart melted as she watched her little face light up. She ran to Holly cheering "Auntie Holly! Auntie Holly!" Holly scooped her up in her arms feeling the weight of the future melt off of her instantly. Here in this moment, nothing else mattered but her love for her. Anna May cradled her head against Holly's chest as the tears flowed from Holly's eyes.

Anna May said tenderly, "Don't cry Auntie Holly, I made you a thurprise!" Holly smiled at her lisp. She ran back around to the coffee table after she put her down. She came back with a macaroni necklace that had been painted with magenta rainbow glitter paint. Holly leaned over so Anna May could place the necklace over her head. Holly leaned back now to show her. Anna May smiled. Holly noticed she was missing a front tooth next to the side one she had already been missing. She noticed that the previous tooth had started to grow in now. The two missing teeth explained why her lisp was bigger than normal. "Did you lose another tooth my little rainbow?" Holly asked as she tickled her belly. Anna May squealed with laughter before answering. " I lotht it thith morning," she said proudly. Holly kissed her cheeks and her forehead. She giggled infectiously.

Holly picked her up in her arms slinging her on her hip. This little angel represented everything pure and innocent. Whatever forces of evil sought to destroy this family this was one reason she would never give up. Holly had no children obviously, but in some small way, she began to understand that fierce drive that burned within mothers to protect their little ones. If the depths of Sheol opened up and swallowed her Holly would dive in after her never accepting surrender no matter the cost. She was her little angel, Holly thought, holding her closer her heart beating faster. Anna May kissed Holly's cheek and whispered, "I love you, Auntie Holly." Holly smiled at her her eyes darting between hers. "I love you too sweet pea."

Martha came in with a smile seeing Holly bonding with Anna May. She walked up to her. "You have such a way with her Holly..." She paused and observed Holly as if seeing her through a new pair of eyes. "You will make a good mother one day." Then she smiled. "I had my worries when I saw some of the girls Travis was interested in. But with you everything is different. For one I have never seen him nervous with other girls. I think with you he got more attached than he had with the others. It's new for him too. There's just something special about you Holly."

Holly smiled at Martha. "Thank you, Mrs. Walker," she said. Martha laughed, "Please call me Martha dear." Holly smiled nodding. "Holly," said Travis garnering her attention. "This one is for the badge. Smile how you want to be seen." Holly grinned in amusement first, then she put on a proper smile. The phone made the animated shutter sound as it captured the shot. Martha spoke up. "Anna may, It's time for your studies love." Anna May looked crestfallen. "I will spend more time with you soon! I promise!" Holly said to Anna May. "Croth your heart and hope to die?" she said. Holly smiled. "Cross my heart and hope to die, kiss your nose and kiss your eye!" Holly said landing kisses all over her face as she giggled in mirthful fits of laughter. Anna May took Martha's hand and waved to Holly with the other hand as they walked away. Holly waved back to her watching her go. Martha turned to look at Holly with a soft smile. Holly returned the smile. Cyrus walked over to her resting a hand on her shoulder. "You really have bonded with her haven't you?" he said. Holly nodded with a happy smile.

Then her smile turned to a frown as the anger began to boil in her chest. Cyrus and Kimberley looked concerned as did Travis. "That is why we have to stop them!" Holly said desperately. The fire burned like a furnace within her. "They will not touch this family again. I'll move heaven and hell to stop them from harming her," she said. Cyrus and Kimberley looked at each other knowingly. Then to Holly's utter surprise, Kimberley smiled. "You may be crazy, but your craziness is to protect those you love." She paused dramatically before adding "And if you think you're going wherever you two are headed to without Cyrus and I, you really are crazy."