3 months later
The trees had started to turn shades of red and orange. Orchards are heavy with fruit and the winds blow soft. Blues in the sky hug like a well loved blanket and for once the world does not ask anything of them.
Red rises first, always.
Splitting wood near a big fig tree shirt discarded, his calloused hands moving with rhythm. The neighbors no longer fear him…but they still gave space.
Just down the hill at their home Jane with her hair up was humming as she hangs fresh linens. Cassia toddles behind her, clutching her mothers sun colored dress.
While Anecus sits in the dirt drawing lines with a stick.
Finishing with the last clothespin Jane picked up Cassia "upsy daisy." With Cassia cradled on her hip Jane walks up behind the sitting Anecus.
She watches Red for a few moments with a look of worry. 'he has yet to fully relax.'
putting the thought away for now she brightens up and watches Anecus draw in the dirt. "And what are you drawing my little star?"
Anecus not answering but continuing to draw was in intense focus, Jane found his concentration face adorable.
Jane couldn't help but notice the symbols. They are filled with intent, and structure. It wasn't anything she had seen before, but it looked too meaningful to just be a random drawing of a toddler. "You are filled with surprises aren't you."
Keeping this little event in the back of her mind she calls out to Red, "Honey! Don't forget Rennen and Amara will be stopping by for midday tea."
In the middle of chopping a piece of wood, Red straightens and picks up a damp towel to wipe the sweat off his neck, he puts the sheath on the axe and descends to the house.
Jane narrows her eyes "and put on a shirt! I don't need the other women getting any funny ideas." Jane slightly bites her lower lip.
Red visibly stiffened at her words and quickened his pace inside.
In a sweet voice "Anecus, Cassie you're gonna see Naia and aunty Amara. Make sure to be nice." Understanding perfectly they both perform their signature twin smiles
Setting the twins down in their play pen area she walks over to Red, slowly as he was overlooking the kettle she wrapped her arms around his waist and hugged him.
"is everything alright?"
Red sighed in relief from her touch. "Just not used to it…the peace."
Jane tightened her hug, "you will. We are safe here, our children are safe. I know it'll take some time." She moved to his side to look in his eyes." All I ask is that you are here and present."
Grateful for her grace nodded, "I can do that."
This is when they heard a knock at the door.
"looks like they are here." Jane opened the door and there was Rennen with fresh apples and a smile that never seems to tire, to his side was Amara with Naia on her hip.
"Rennen, Amara welcome welcome. We already have some tea going."
Amara walks in with a smile sweet as honey, "thank you for inviting us, and looking after Naia last week."
Rennen walked in with a crate, finishing her sentence. "and as a thank you we brought the best of the best."
Red walked over and grabbed some apples to prepare for the table. Red lets him stay now, and doesn't watch his hands so much. "I'll set the outside table."
Rennen joins him.
Outside in the warm sun and tea scented air, Amara joins Jane under the arbor with Naia on her hip, they speak of simple things, blankets, recipes, dreams they once had and might still find again. At some point Amara puts Naia down and she crawls to Anecus without prompting, he doesn't move.
She rests her head on his shoulder and sighs, and the two just sit there, watching leaves fall. A golden leaf drifts between them, and Anecus lifts it with his finger…without touching it.
Amara sees, Jane notices they exchange no words, Just knowing looks.
----
Later that evening Amara and Rennen had left. A blanket laid out in the sun dappled orchard, Jane naps with her head leaned back against a tree, a book slipping from her lap.
Cassia and Anecus, maybe 15 months old, lie side by side on their backs, chubby legs kicking at nothing, arms waving at the world.
Cassia grabbed a leaf, Crisp and green. shed had plucked from the edge of the blanket. Inspecting it like it might be alive.
Anecus watches her, then grabs it!
Cassia blinks.
Anecus grins with his two tiny teeth, Cassia slaps his arm, takes the leaf back.
Anecus laughs loudly, Cassia looks confused then laughs too.
They pass the leaf back and forth like it's some sacred treasure. Eventually, they both chew on it at the same time.
Stirring awake Jane sees the moment and sighs, in a half asleep tone. "If either of you starts glowing I swear…"
Red walks up to the three of them and smiles. Setting the twins in Jane's arms, he picks Jane up in a princess carry. Cassia and Anecus enjoy the ride.
Later that night in the small bedroom. Jane and Red are trying to get one uninterrupted hour of sleep.
Red leans in over their crib to check on them. Cassia is asleep perfectly still, both hands folded like a little priestess. Anecus is sideways, foot in Cassia's face, arm draped over her stomach like a sleepy puppy.
Cassia doesn't wake. She just grunts in protest and pushes his face away, still asleep.
Whispering Red says "Our daughter is going to be a stubborn one."
From the bed mumbling, "She was born to lead."
Red climbs into bed and the four of them get a well deserved night's sleep.
----
The following morning, Jane was having tea on the porch. The babies were crawling around in a padded play area. Cassia finds a shiny spoon. Anecus wants it. Cassia guards it with her body.
Anecus focuses and the spoon trembles.
Jane froze. Her eyes narrowed "Don't you dare, Anecus." Anecus snatches it with a sudden burst of speed.
Cassia stares at him betrayed. Then slaps him, Again.
"you two will surely grow up to be something." secretly Jane has been worrying about their future, particularly Anecus. If his abilities continue to grow naturally like this...
'I don't want to think about that.'