Kitty couldn't believe it as she went to her daughter's toddler bed for the hundredth time that night to look down at her face and gently touch her silky hair. She knelt down and kissed Arianna's forehead as tears misted her eyes. With a deep, satisfied sigh knowing this was not a dream, she stood and walked from her daughter's new bedroom, to her son's. He was sound asleep on his new bed. He was on his stomach, blankets twisted around him already. She went to him and also caressed his hair gently. As she kissed his head, she whispered, "I love you..." As he shifted under the covers, she stood up, gently touched him one more time and reluctantly left his room.
All this time she had thought they were dead. Jonas had made her think they were dead. And though they were the same age as when they were taken, had this accident not happened, she would have never known. They might have wound up slaves somewhere or even dead for real and she would have never known. Jonas had stolen four years of her life, she thought angrily, but as she checked on her angels once again, she realized that God, or the gods, or fate had given her another chance. She had her life back just the way it was before, only better. And no one was going to take that from her again. Certainly not Jonas... He would never see his children again, the traitor, she thought. Tomorrow would be a new day for her and her children. A better day, she hoped.
Suddenly, the door sensor sounded. As she called for the door to open, she was surprised to find Kassia there and smiled.
"Good evening, counselor. How are you doing tonight?" Kitty asked as she approached.
Kassia smirked. "I came here to ask you the same thing."
Kitty raised her eye brows. "What do you mean? I'm wonderful!" she replied. "I can't believe that I have my children back... I mean, its as if they never were gone." Tears misted her eyes as she spoke.
She took a seat on the couch and gestured for Kassia to sit if she wished. Kassia smiled and sat down.
"Still, it's a very big change. For almost the last four years you have thought they were dead. Now you find out they weren't dead... That must bring up a few things..." Kassia edged carefully in.
"If you mean, do I hate Jonas with a passion. The answer is yes," she replied. "Would I like to see something terrible happen to him. The answer is yes. But will I do something stupid? The answer is no... I have my children back... and best part of it is that they haven't lost more than a day or two from me... I'm thankful for that. Four years I was devastated at their loss. Each day was a struggle to want to go on living," she explained. "But I have been given this gift of my life back, and I'm going to make the most of it..."
Kassia smiled. "I'm very happy for you, Kitty. Your children are what's going to see you through the rest of your life..."
"Does that mean that I won't lose them again?" Kitty asked, knowing Kassia was also the resident psychic.
Kassia smirked. "Well, the future always changes... But it looks good... I think your children are here to stay."
Kitty's smile brightened. "You don't know how badly I needed to hear that," she said.
"Actually, I did," Kassia replied allowing her green eyes to meet her Captain's. "I know you have wanted this for so long there is a part of you that's afraid this isn't real. That this is some dream you're going to wake up from, right?"
Kitty's green-brown eyes widened. "Yes... That's why I keep going to check on them... To make sure they're still there. To touch them and make sure they're not figments of my imagination."
Kassia's smile was bright and soft as she took Kitty's hand. "They are very real. You're not crazy. These are your children. They're really here and they're here to stay... You're finally reunited with the missing part of your soul. This is going to change you and everything you do and how you look at life... You are going to find parts of you you buried and then you're going to discover new parts of you as well... All of your dreams are coming true and I think you're going to like what you become."
"Thank you..." Kitty replied.
"I just stopped by to make sure you were okay with all of this. I mean, this is a big change, and even happy changes can cause crippling stress... But I think you're doing just fine," Kassia replied. "Anyway," she said as she stood up, "I should be going. Tarik and Tiyanna are waiting for me, and I think you might be getting another visitor shortly." Her eyes had a devilish glint as she smiled. "If you need to talk or if you need anything at all, you know where to find me."
"Of course. Thank you, Kassia."
She walked Kassia to the door. Just as it slid open, she was surprised to see Troy standing there. The only one not surprised was Kassia. She smirked.
"I'm just leaving," she said to her brother as she pecked his cheek. "See you later... maybe," she giggled.
Kitty's cheeks tinted just a little, but she was getting use to it.
"May I come in?" Troy asked.
"Definitely, please!" Kitty replied as he stepped in.
"I heard about you getting your kids back... That's just incredible!" Troy said. "I'm very happy for you."
Tenderly she took his hand. "Come with me," she said, just above a whisper.
She lead him first to Zachary's room and into the soft light. She touched him once more and smiled. Then she lead Troy to Arianna's room and she gently caressed her daughter's face. As she went to Troy, he put his arm around her and just looked at her glowing face. He couldn't remember ever seeing her so happy or so at peace. Tenderly he caressed her face as he gazed into her eyes.
"You look so beautiful tonight... Being a mom agrees with you," he smiled.
"I think so too," she replied.
With that, he pulled her close and kissed her tenderly. As the kiss ended, they turned to watch as Arianna slept.