Star Crossed In Time

Just as Bai Lei and I walk out of the white and golden palace, two guards walk over leading a familiar woman in white. My mother. I quickly walk over and ignore the two guards as I wrap my arms around my very real and very warm mother. 

Her scent hits me, instantly bringing tears to my eyes. Her smell was even familiar... She quickly wraps her arms around me and hugs me back as she whispers "Silly child, you could have been hurt." I chuckle a little and lean back to look her over. 

She looks like she could be my older sister or my aunt... she doesn't look very old at all! And to my surprise, we do share similar features! Her dark eyes take me in over and over as she gently runs her hands through my silver hair with a sad smile. 

"I missed so much... you've truly grown into a beautiful woman. I'm sorry... I'm sorry I wasn't there for you." She says with a tight voice and tears in her beautiful dark eyes. I quickly shake my head and say "There's nothing to be sorry about. You did the best you could and for that, I thank you."

She pulls me back into a large hug and holds me for several moments before Bai Lei softly says "Why don't we finish this back home where it's safer." My mother quickly pulls back and laughs as she quickly nods saying "Oh yes, you're right! I just got a little carried away"

Bai Lei gives her a warm smile and with a lift of his hand, we're back at the dark palace. Bai Lei lightly bows his head at my mother saying "Thank you for creating Nova... For giving her a second life. For that, I'll be eternally thankful. 

My mother chuckles lightly and says "I never thought that the Son of Darkness himself would take a liking to my daughter but I shouldn't be too surprised. The stars are under your care after all." Bai Lei gives her a knowing smile and asks "Are you well? Do you need anything?" 

She quickly waves him off and says "No, I'm perfectly fine. I'm more worried about what the other Higher Heavenly Council members will do once they find out what happened today." Bai Lei shakes his head and says "You have nothing to worry about. Nova is my woman and I have every right to protect her and her family. They won't move against her with the fear of me becoming involved."

My mother gives Bai Lei a grateful smile as he says "I will let you two catch up. If you need me, just call me or my servants." I give him a warm smile and nod my head as he turns around and disappears. I turn back to see my mother giving me a knowing smile.

"Please don't go there. That'll just be awkward." I say with a cringe causing my mother to laugh outright. Because we are nearly the same height, she loops her arm around mine as she says "I always imagined you meeting a guy from the Higher Heavenly Council or even another Deity but I never expected you to fall for the Lord of Darkness." 

I arch an eyebrow at her and say "Why do you say it like that?" She gives me a small smile as we begin walking arm in arm. She looks around the large garden as she says "He's always kept to himself and doesn't really interact with others so everyone is kinda scared of him. He's extremely powerful and fearsome so the others don't mess with him."

"I saw him once in passing in the past and was terrified by his cold demeanor but seeing him with you... he feels like an entirely different person. Maybe he's just different when it comes to you." I silently nod my head as I take in her beautiful face, burning everything to memory.   

She looks back to me to find me staring at her but she just gives me a knowing smile as she says "When I felt you back in this world, I watched you for hours. Taking in everything about you. You've grown into a beautiful, strong woman. I'm so proud of you." 

My eyes burn so I quickly look away and take a deep breath before saying "I picked up a grandfather... I think you'll like him." I hear her giggle and before I know it, I'm smiling as well as I say "Well, to be honest, I picked up more than just a grandfather. I picked up a cousin, an older brother, and a few friends who are like family in a strange way." 

She nods her head with a large smile saying "I can't wait to meet them all but before that..." She pulls me to a stop and turns me to look at her. She suddenly looks at me with a serious face as she says "The evil in the Lower Realms will bleed over into these. Somehow this new evil is tied to you. I keep trying to find the connection but I keep getting blocked." 

I give her a small smile as I say "Don't worry too much. Whatever it is, I'll figure it out and get rid of it." Her dark fine eyebrows draw in together as she says "Don't underestimate this thing, Nova. Something about this is different... I just haven't been able to see just yet." 

I give her a small smile and nod my head while saying "I'll be careful, I promise but for now, I just want you to relax. You're free and we're finally together. We're safe here." She gives me a strained smile and nods her head but the look in her eyes is much like my own when I'm not convinced about something.  

I loop my arm back around her's and drag her to the large courtyard where the others are all together. The first one to see us is Zhen. He almost drops the scroll in his hands as his eyes dart back and forth between us. 

The others all begin turning to look as well and they all react in a similar way. I walk arm in arm with my mother and stop in front of them with a knowing smile as I say "Everyone, please say hello to my mother. My real, flesh and blood mother." 

Guozhi's mouth drops open as Zhen looks at us with confusion. MingMing quickly stands up and claps her hands in joy as she says "It's so nice to meet you! You two look like you could be sisters! My name is MingMing and this is Grandpa Zhen." Ren looks on in disbelief as hundreds of things fly through his mind. 

My mother giggles and says "Yes, I've seen you all. It's nice to finally meet you all." MingMing pulls her away and starts introducing everyone as I stand back and watch with a smile. I think it's still slowly sinking in... I have a mother and she didn't throw me away. That and I'm really from this world...

After greeting my mother, Zhen walks over and begins looking me over from head to toe while saying "You're different... what happened?" I smile at the familiar comment and question and quickly fill him in. The others all stop to listen as well and ever so often my mother would chime in to fill in some blanks.   

By the end of it, we were all laughing like a large family. The only one missing was Ted but I was told he was currently in the middle of becoming stronger. I was a little concerned until I heard that Bai Lei was the one overlooking the whole thing.

Little Bun seems to have taken a liking to my mother as he continues to bring her multiple fruits while Lady Xue pours my mother warm tea with an equally warm smile. When I feel a warm hand on my lower back, I turn with a smile to see Bai Lei watching them all with a small smile.