Night arrived quietly.

The kind of night that asked nothing from the world except stillness.

Dinner had ended with easy conversation and warm laughter, and I had just begun gathering the dishes when Elysium looked up at me with that unmistakable sparkle in his hazelnut brown eyes.

He was dressed in soft white sweatpants and a sky-blue t-shirt, his dark hair usually combed well now messy. The little pink warmth in his cheeks that appeared every time he called me Papá still lingering faintly.

"I want to lay outside tonight."

I looked at him with quiet curiosity.

"In the garden."

A hopeful smile appeared on his face.

"On a soft mat."

The smile brightened.

"You, mom and me..."

He clasped his hands together behind his back before mumbling "...watching the stars."

There was no world in which I would deny that request.

"I believe," I said with a smile already forming, "the stars have just received an invitation."

He laughed. That bright, delighted laugh that somehow always made the evening feel warmer. I watched as he rushed to get Celine and immediately set to work.

By the time we stepped into the gardens, everything had been prepared.

Not because I commanded it with grandeur.

But because love notices details.

A large comfy mat rested upon the soft grass. Several blankets lay folded nearby in case the night breeze grew cooler.Small lanterns glowed gently along the stone pathway, careful not to outshine the heavens themselves.The flowers surrounding us released their evening fragrance into the air.

Jasmine.

Moonflowers.

Lavender.

Lilies.

Everything seemed to breathe peacefully beneath the stars.

Once Celine and Elysium came outside, both of their eyes brightened as they took in the peaceful atmosphere.

"This is the perfect spot" Celine said, looking so adorable in her satin golden pink pj's that I wanted to just lift her off the ground and kiss her until tomorrow.

Soon.

For now, I was content with spending time together. We all needed it.

Without another word, we all settled together comfortably. My back rested against the pillows with Elysium naturally curled against my right side and Celine against my left one.

My arms slipped around both of them with familiar ease, drawing them closer until Celine's head rested over my heart with Elysium's head opposite hers on my right side.

This was exactly where every protective instinct inside me wanted them to be.

I placed a soft kiss on both of their heads before staring at the stars that stretched endlessly above us.

Neither of us hurried to speak.

The silence wasn't empty.

It was home.

It was peaceful. Comforting. Safe.

After several peaceful minutes, I felt Elysium hug me a little tighter.

"Sometimes I wonder if Mami is in heaven watching over us from above...Whenever I look at the stars shining like that at night, it makes me think that maybe she's among them, shining in the night sky and standing guard over me.. I miss her.."

(Mami - Mommy, Elysium's biological mother, Clara who died of Cancer)

His voice was almost carried away by the breeze but I heard it loud and clear. I felt Celine's arm tightened around me and knew her heart ached like mine too.

"I miss her too, everyday. But I know she's always with us. In our hearts and memories" Celine whispered gently stroking Elysium's cheek.

It was true. Whenever it was the death anniversary of Clara, we would all cook her favourite meals, pray for her soul to rest in peace and place her favourite flowers - white lilies in front of her ashes. Ashes I had carefully placed in a glass jar I made myself that was now in Elysium's room. For Clara's birthday too, we would cook her favourite dishes, spend the day watching the sunrise together because Clara loved them. We wanted Elysium to know all this about his mom, even more so that she died when Elysium was just 4 years old. He barely had vivid memories of her, the least we could do was ensure she lived in his present memories and life in every possible way. That he knew every little detail about his mother.

"I don't want our lives to change" Elysium's croaked voice made me look down.

He wasn't crying but he looked thoughtful. Filled with quiet emotion that made me want to shield his heart from everything he was feeling.

"And it won't, I promise you that" I whispered softly.

"I lost Mami. And I don't want to lose Mamá or you too. I want things to go back to how they used to be. My friends keep asking me why these guys are there at school, why there are so many bodyguards and for now they were understanding about me not wanting to talk about it but I miss our days back then. Where you, mamá and I would spend the weekend out. Where you would come watch me during sport competitions, bring me water and snacks and cheer for me. And then we would go home together, spending the afternoon peacefully. Back then.. this.. This bad man wasn't after mom. And we were happy. I know you are keeping things from me to keep me safe. I know that. And I won't ask questions because I trust you both But I.. I just miss our days. Our weekends together. Our Home" Elysium said, making my heart tighten.

The words settled deeply within Me. More than language could ever hold.

"It's true that we have kept things from you but it wasn't because we don't trust you, Little star. It is to protect you from the dangers of this world. One day you will face challenges when you're older and we will be here for you always but for now we want to protect your peace and ensure you have a peaceful childhood. The fact that you trust us enough to not ask questions shows how mature and good you are my son." Celine said, running her fingers through his hair soothingly.

It was true that Elysium didn't know the whole picture. He didn't know I was an assassin, he must have had thousands of questions about where these men came from but genuinely I was going to leave this organisation either way. So for now there was no need to expose him to such a world. But one day when he became older, I would confess everything to him if he ever asked about my past.

For now, however he needed an anchor. Not overwhelming truths.

"I know it's difficult to have such changes implemented out of the blue like this. And it's normal for your friends to question the sudden appearance of my men but I'm proud of you for not revealing anything. I'm proud of you for being understanding. I miss our days too, our weekends together have always been precious to me. Cheering for you during events has always been something I did out of love for you because you're my child and I love you dearly." I said quietly in the peaceful night.

"Thats why I swear to you, Mi hijo(My son) that soon enough, we will have those weekends again. Just you, me and Mamá. All I ask is you give me some time? I'll work everything out and ensure the bad man is taken care of properly, okay?"I whispered softly, rubbing soothing circles on his back and Celine's back.

Elysium nodded and smiled faintly toward the sky. "I have faith in you and Mamá"

Celine nestled a little closer. Her fingers gently gathered a little of my shirt."And we will ensure you never lose that faith"

I closed my eyes briefly. Gratitude filled every corner of my heart. Gratitude for how Elysium had learned to meet tomorrow with hope instead of fear despite everything.

I kissed the top of his head.

"My Little Lion..."

He looked up instantly.

"I have watched you through every season."

"When assignments felt overwhelming."

"When your body was exhausted from practice."

"When you questioned yourself."

"When you discovered your own strength."

My thumb slowly traced comforting circles against Celine's side simultaneously.

"And now..."

I smiled warmly.

"I see a boy that's becoming a wonderful young man with a gentle soul that this world needs."

I looked back toward the stars.

"That is far rarer than achievement."

The breeze stirred gently through the gardens.

"And I'm blessed to have you as my son"

Elysium's eyes flickered with a myriad of emotions. "I'm blessed to have you as my dad too"

"And I'm grateful that I have such a wonderful Mamá that makes the best churros ever." Elysium added, holding Celine's hand tightly.

She laughed. "I'll make all the churros in the world every day if that makes you happy"

"Deal" Elysium grinned, making me shake my head at him.

He was a real foodie through and through.

"Papá?"Elysium asked after some time.

I hummed in reply.

"Why are there so many moonflowers all over the garden?"Elysium asked.

I paused looking up at the garden where the white petals of the moonflowers shimmered softly beneath the starlight, almost as though they carried a little piece of the moon itself.

I rested my forehead lightly against Celine whose eyes glistened because she knew why.

"Because it reminds me of your Mamá." I answered with all the love I had for the beautiful woman resting in my arms.

Elysium tilted his head. "How so?"

"It blooms quietly. It brings beauty without asking for attention. And it opens most fully beneath the night sky." I smiled softly before adding "Exactly like My Little Flame. A graceful beautiful moonflower that shines the brightest in a world of darkness"

"That was poetic" Elysium grinned before adding teasingly "He's definitely smitten, Mamá"

Celine's cheeks immediately turned the softest shade of pink. She hid half her face against my shoulder with an embarrassed little laugh.

"There she is..."

I chuckled quietly.

"My adorably shy ballerina."

She gave the tiniest playful nudge against my chest. "Shut up."

"I've been instructed to shut up before." I smirked.

By both of them more times than I could count, might I add.

"How often do I wonder?"Elysium asked sarcastically.

"Frequently." I bit back my smile.

"Has it ever worked?" Celine asked knowingly.

"...Not particularly." I snorted, making them both laugh.

The sound drifted upward into the night as though even the stars wished to keep it. I held them a little closer.

Not tightly.

Simply enough for Celine to feel my heartbeat beneath her cheek and for Elysium to feel the safety of my embrace.

"My beloved ones..." I whispered into the peaceful silence after some time.

"No matter what's waiting for us moving forward, we will overcome it together. When life feels overwhelming. I will be there for you both." I vowed softly.

"Once all of this is over, we will live together. And when a difficult day arrives, I will still be beside you both"

I gently kissed their foreheads one by one.

"And when you both come home at the end of each day..."

I looked toward the endless sky scattered with stars.

"I hope your hearts remember nights like this."

"The quiet."

"The peace."

"The certainty that you are both deeply loved."

They both hugged me again, and I returned the embrace without a second thought.

Above us, the stars continued their patient journey across the heavens while I remained exactly where I belonged. With my little Flame and son resting peacefully against my chest. And for that moment, the universe itself seemed content simply to let the night linger a little longer.