244 Forgiveness is good.

"Umm, what exactly did I witness today?" Yanasi asked . 

"Well you see our family is not a normal family. We come from celestial ancestry. Uktena , who is the snake god in Cherokee lore is our grandfather he fell in love with a tribe woman a few centuries ago. And they had a child . That child is our ancestor. He is the beginning of both my fathers line and a part of my mother's as well. You see we come from both Waya and Unole. My mothers line comes from Waya and my fathers from Unole. We have been entrusted with certain gifts to help return fallen ones to the Great spirit or the father. Today the twins had to go through a test to see if they would waver and Betray their gifts. Thry passed so they will get to keep them. " Crystal looks at Yanasi's expression closely wondering if he will think them freaks now or still be the same. Holding her breath waiting for him to say something.

"That is cool, I remember when I was a kid and Astila came for his wedding that his bride was a celestial being. That she had saved an ancestor. I just thought it was something that the grown ups made up . When I saw Lilli she reminded me of her mom. Then I knew it was true when I saw Aisling for the first time. One of the elders drew pictures of her since she had been a child. When she passed those pictures where put up for all to see in the tribal center. Would you like to see them before you leave?" Yanasi asks. Astila overhearing their conversation turns to the boy and asks. 

" We would love to see them but it will be up to Aisling. She is not one to brag about things. Those pictures were meant to be sent to us years ago but since I never saw them I had them given to the center . They were donated along with many things Aisling inherited from Onacona and his sister. I had planned on stopping by to talk to the curator ,about having Inola and Onacona coming and teaching a class or two on how to make weapons in the old ways. What do you think would they get any students?" Astila asks Yanasi. 

"I think it would be great, very few know how to make weapons anymore. I would like to learn ." Yanasi tells Astila. HeJin is setting the table on the patio when they arrive. The smell the barbecue cooking on the grill. Lilli runs and calls out to her. 

"oh good I'm starving Auntie you must have read my mind what I wanted to eat. ." Lilli runs inside to quickly clean up before eating. HeJin laughs at her and sends everyone inside to clean up to eat. Thinking to herself that the girls must have done well to be in such good spirits. 

"Hey imp , what are you thinking about?" He sees the troubled look on her face. 

"I told Marbas that when you could forgive him I would. I know that I have not been getting any better at controlling my powers because of the anger I have. I need to try to come to terms with it or I fear I could make a bad decision that could hurt someone ." She looks at her uncle waiting for him to say something. 

"You know forgiveness is not just for the one who is in need of forgiving. If someone holds anger inside it becomes poisonous. It distorts their judgement and feelings. When you forgive someone it releases the anger from inside of you and let's you move on. Once you can forgive Marbas and Macha you will be able to heal and move on. You know what you said to him about your birth is heartbreaking. Yes your father is a horrible person but your mothers love is why you are here. Regardless of how she conceived you , you were born into love. Do you know that Yona agreed to be your Daddy before he even started dating your mom. He loved you so much already. He protected you and loved you from the first day he saw you. He is your father, he may not have been the one to impregnate your mom but it is Yona who was meant to be your Father. You remember that always. When your ready I can be with you to talk to Marbas. You do not need to do it alone." Steve takes her hand and gives it a squeeze in encouragement. Crystal smiles at him and says. 

"My cookie you are not allowed to leave me for a long time. I want my children to know you . So make sure you are taking good care of yourself so you can be here for many years." Hugging her uncle,Crystal says good night. Going inside she heads upstairs. 

Still out on the patio Steve calls to someone standing in the shadows. 

"She will be ready soon , she is a good girl and she loves with her whole heart. She will be ready to forgive you soon." Marbas walks out and bows his head to Steve. 

"Thank you , she is a remarkable girl and I do not want her anger at me to keep her from doing what she needs to do. Thank you for your forgiveness as well. I would not have been able to find peace and make amends if you had not forgiven me." Marbas tells Steve. 

"It was not hard for me to forgive when you only showed me my own blackness that was lurking inside. Now that all has been forgiven I am able to enjoy my family even more. You know it's amazing how just a little forgiveness can change so much ." Steve turns to go inside as Marbas disappears into the night. 

Astila and Aisling are getting ready for bed when they hear Crystal going into her room. Aisling snuggles into her husband's arms sighing. 

"She is far to young to be having such a hard time. I know before you even say it, she can handle it. It's just that Remi and I both had so much abuse in our younger years that we never wanted any of it to touch our children. Our girls will never feel that kind of pain from us, but Crystal had to feel the rejection and ridicule when she was so small. We tried to protect her from it but it was hard when it came from her uncle and grandmother. We all tried to make up for them but to find out what Remi never wanted her to has taken its toll. I truly hope the father will bring our girl some peace soon." Astila feels his wife's tears on his chest and shifts her in his arms. Kissing her tears away he whispers to her. 

"Steve has told her he has forgiven Marbas and she knows that Yona is her father in every way. That she is nothing like Dean or his family. Our girl will be fine right now she is struggling because she isn't ready to forgive Marbas to soon. She wants him to keep working to make amends before she forgives him. She wants to make sure he is on a righteous path before she forgives him. Now enough talk of the children , I want to practice making a new child a boy this time please. " Astila tells her as his lips make their way down her neck. Aisling giggles as she bites gently on his shoulder. Loving the sounds of his moaning as her hand finds his already hard shaft. 

Hejin smiles to herself as she passes their door on her way to bed. Hearing the sounds of love coming from the room makes her blush and sigh at the same time. It's nice having the family around and  the life they bring . Going into her room she sees her husband of so many years , smiling at him she watches him get ready for bed. looking at his wife puzzled he asks. 

"Why the funny look?" Steve asks her. 

"Hmm no reason , I am just so thankful I married you. You have given me a beautiful life filled with love and family. If the sounds coming from the other room are any indication I have a feeling we will be welcoming another baby soon. It's so funny that the children all seem to get pregnant at the same time. Last time it was Remi, Moll, Maureen and Aisling. Then it was Salali Xiangin and Winona. Now that Remi is pregnant I'm sure a someone else will be soon if not already. " HeJin tells him as she cuddles close. 

Steve looks at his wife and grins. 

"You know just because I can't have a child does not mean we still can't  do the deed. " giving her a wicked looks as he pins her to the bed taking her mouth with his. Giving her a passionate kiss.