Luna. Chapter 194

（Lyra's POV）

The Christmas tree lights twinkled in our living room like tiny stars. I watched Asher stretch on his toes, trying to hang an ornament on a branch just out of reach. He was five now. So tall. So determined.

"I can do it, Mama," he insisted.

"I know you can, sweetheart." I smiled. "Just be careful."

Nova babbled from her bouncy seat, watching her big brother with wide eyes. At eight months old, she was fascinated by everything Asher did. Her little hands reached toward the shiny ornaments like she wanted to grab them all.

"Don't even think about it, little miss," I warned her playfully.

It had been a year. A whole year since the war ended. Sometimes it felt like yesterday. Sometimes it felt like a lifetime ago.

Kael had been gone for three weeks this time. Some kind of mission for the Council. He couldn't tell me the details. He never could. But I trusted him. He always came home.

"Mama, look!" Asher held up a silver angel ornament. "This one's pretty."

"It is. Where should we put it?"

He considered this seriously. "Right here." He pointed to a spot near the top. "So she can watch over our tree."

My heart squeezed. "That's perfect, baby."

I lifted him up so he could reach the high branch. His little fingers carefully placed the angel exactly where he wanted it. When I set him down, he stepped back to admire his work.

"It's the best tree ever," he declared.

"I think so too."

Nova made happy gurgling sounds from her seat. She was wearing a red velvet dress with tiny white polka dots. Elena had bought it for her last week. Said every little girl needed a special Christmas dress.

"Can we put music on?" Asher asked.

"Of course."

I turned on the stereo. Soft Christmas carols filled the room. Asher started dancing, spinning in circles with his arms outstretched. Nova squealed with delight at the movement.

These were the moments I treasured. The quiet, perfect moments when it was just the three of us. When the world felt safe and normal.

My phone buzzed on the coffee table. I glanced at it, hoping it might be Kael. Instead, it was a text from Elena asking if we needed anything from the store.

No, we're good, I typed back. Just decorating the tree.

Send pictures! she responded immediately.

I smiled. Elena had become like a mother to me over this past year. After everything we'd been through, she'd made sure I never felt alone. Especially during these longer missions when Kael was away.

"Mama, can we make cookies?" Asher asked.

"Later, sweetheart. After we finish the tree."

He nodded and went back to carefully selecting ornaments. He took this job very seriously. Each ornament had to go in exactly the right spot.

I picked up Nova and held her close. She smelled like baby powder and the vanilla lotion I rubbed on her skin after baths. Her tiny hand grabbed my hair and tugged gently.

"You want to help decorate too?" I asked her.

She made a sound that might have been yes. Or might have been gas. Hard to tell with babies.

"Here," I said to Asher. "Help me show Nova how to hang ornaments."

I chose a soft felt snowman, nothing breakable. Asher took Nova's tiny hand and guided it to the ornament. Together, they placed it on a low branch.

"Good job, Nova!" Asher cheered. "You're a good helper."

Nova giggled. The sound filled my heart with warmth.

"I miss Daddy," Asher said suddenly.

Me too, I thought. "He'll be home soon."

"Will he be home for Christmas?"

"I hope so, baby. I really hope so."

Asher nodded and picked up another ornament. "He promised he'd teach me to make a snowman this year."

"And he will. Daddy keeps his promises."

That was true. Kael had never broken a promise to Asher. Not once. Even when missions ran long, even when things got complicated, he always found a way to keep his word to our son.

To both our children now.

I looked at Nova's perfect little face. She had Kael's eyes but my mouth. The combination was devastating. I could already tell she was going to be a heartbreaker.

"Mama, phone!" Asher pointed.

My phone was ringing. Unknown number. I almost didn't answer. But something made me pick it up.

"Hello?"

Silence for a moment. Then a voice that made my knees weak.

"Lyra? It's me. I'm coming home."

Kael. My Kael.

"When?" My voice came out as a whisper.

"Tonight. I should be there by dinner."

I felt tears prick my eyes. "Really?"

"Really. Mission's over. I'm done."

Done. He was done. Coming home.

"Did you hear that, Asher?" I called out. "Daddy's coming home tonight."

Asher dropped the ornament he was holding and ran to me. "Really? Tonight?"

I nodded, still holding the phone. "Say hi to Daddy."

"Hi Daddy!" Asher shouted into the phone. "We're decorating the tree! And Nova helped! And we're gonna make cookies!"

I could hear Kael laughing on the other end. That warm, rich laugh I'd missed so much.

"That sounds perfect, buddy. Save some cookies for me, okay?"

"Okay! Mama, can we make extra cookies for Daddy?"

"We can make as many cookies as you want," I promised.

I took the phone back. "Drive carefully. The roads might be icy."

"I will. I love you."

"I love you too. So much."

After I hung up, I sat down hard on the couch. Nova was still in my arms, and Asher climbed up next to me.

"Is Daddy really coming home?" he asked.

"He really is."

"Tonight?"

"Tonight."

Asher grinned. "This is the best Christmas ever!"

I hugged both my children close. "It really is, sweetheart. It really is."

Outside, snow was starting to fall. Big, fat flakes drifting past the windows. The perfect Christmas snowfall.

Inside, our tree glowed with warm lights. Christmas music played softly. My babies were safe and happy.

And Kael was coming home.

For the first time in weeks, everything felt complete.