Chapter 165 - How Many Children

The sun was setting in the distance, and Raine watched that beautiful scene unfold with Aire sitting on the blanket with her. By the sidelines, Tyrone started with cooking their dinner, all while sneaking glances at Raine and Aire's direction every once in a while, bearing that satisfied smile on his face whenever he saw the two enjoying themselves. 

Raine let out a sigh as she stroked Aire's head. Up until now, Aire's words were bugging her. Did that mean that she would fight and hold on to Tyrone in the near future? How could that be when she'd already planned everything out? She would dismiss Tyrone as soon as the Mirage Trial was over. No contact and no connection with him would be left at all. She was planning to use on him the powder that she particularly requested from Janus, something that was strong enough to erase even the memory of a mutant if he would insist on not letting her go. The powder wouldn't erase his memory entirely, but only the particular parts like his involvement with her and the Mirage.

Raine hid a pained smile. It truly felt as if her head would explode at any moment now because of all the things rumbling inside of it. Still, she did her best to clear her thoughts since she really didn't want to spoil their evening. They were here to have fun, not to ruminate about the distant future.

After a few beats of comfortable quiet, Aire broke the silence while she watched her father do his cooking not far from them. He was quite reliable, doing everything on his own. Their tent was also ready.

"Daddy is so prepared. He managed to bring everything we needed and even do everything all by himself in a flash," Aire proudly praised.

Tyrone chuckled, "I'm quite a good catch, right? Only an idiot would let me go." It was the second time already Tyrone mentioned the same thing about Raine being an idiot if she would let him go. And he intended to keep reminding her about whenever he could though he knew how Raine would only brush it off way too quickly. He was so hopeless, thinking of ways on how he could make Raine not let him go because he somehow sensed that Raine was planning something behind his back.

"Don't worry, Mommy's not an idiot, Daddy," Aire reassured with a grin. She then turned to her mother and said, "Isn't that right, Mommy?"

Raine gave Aire a pout as she mumbled, "Mommy's not an idiot, of course. I'm just a bit stubborn like you!"

Aire had an awkward smile, knowing that her mother was simply dying to scold her if she wasn't stopping herself from doing so… Sensing her distress, she moved and hugged Raine as she whispered, "Don't worry, Mommy. Everything will be fine."

Raine could only let out a frustrated sigh. She hadn't mentioned her earlier conversation with Arie to Tyrone yet; about how the former already admitted that she had marked the boy. Tyrone would definitely get anxious about it, like how she was feeling right now. She wanted to scold Aire, but what was the point when everything was already said and done?

However, Raine still had to tell all of this to Tyrone since he was the only one whose memory about Aire would remain intact. He would be the only one who could do the searching and remember things about the future to save Aire from her potential punishments, whatever those might be.

The twilight sun gave way to the darkness as the moon shone brightly up in the night sky. Tyrone kept a fire lit for them as he served them their dinner. They all sat together in the large picnic blanket as they ate, Raine feeding Aire and letting her eat more, especially from Tyrone's fruit platter.

"Briel will be jealous once I tell him that we camped out like this," Aire giggled. It was a first time experience for her to go out to the mountains like this with her parents.

"Briel?" Raine and Tyrone murmured in chorus.

Aire's smile widened as she said, "Yes, Umbriel… my brother. He's a year younger than me. He looked exactly like Daddy. A carbon copy, as everyone says."

"What?!" Raine burst in disbelief.

"How many children are there now for Mommy and me?" Tyrone amusingly inquired, knowing that such a question wasn't too risky.

"So far, three… after Umbriele… the next were twins," Aire informed with a giggle.

Raine almost choked on the food she was eating that she had to drink a whole bottle of water in one straight gulp. 

"I see that we're quite vigorous in the future. I bet I will ask for more," Tyrone shamelessly declared, making Raine's face turn crimson red. 

Raine was flabbergasted. She was rendered speechless while listening to Tyrone and Aire. He was very careful in asking his questions, at least, ensuring that the answer Aire would give, wouldn't give out enough details that would compromise her.

"That's enough. Don't ask her any more questions," Raine scolded after managing to gather her wits again. "And you two, focus on finishing our food!" 

They had to stop. She was curious too, but she was way too scared to know more, especially when she knew that Aire had to face these mysterious consequences if she ever let out one wrong word.

Tyrone acquiesced, no longer asking any more questions as he understood Raine's sentiments. He was more than happy to know that their future together was productive. On the other hand, Raine couldn't fathom whether or not to believe her own daughter. Was it really possible? Tyrone and her, together? A family together?"

After dinner, they played some games that Aire wanted, like cards and charades. It was fun, and Raine eventually realized how hard she was laughing whenever she was together with Aire and Tyrone.

"Mommy, are you having fun?" Aire asked while they looked up at the night sky, waiting for the tea and milk that Tyrone was preparing for them.

"Of course, I do," Raine whispered truthfully as she pulled Aire closer to her. 

"In a way, I'm glad that you won't remember about me once I go back. I know how much you're worried about me, Mommy. Daddy's worried too, but unlike you, he's way calmer.  No wonder he was chosen to bear the crescent-shaped moon mark," Aire wistfully smiled. "No matter what the future holds… you must trust him. You know that he loves you so much that he's willing to do anything, even sacrifice everything just to have you…"

"Shh, Aire. Please stop saying any more words about the future. Mommy's more than happy with your existence," Raine shook her head as she spoke. "I don't want your future to be compromised, so I'll just face my future in my own way. Don't worry about Mommy, okay? Think more about yourself. You'll face an ordeal once you come back, so you should be ready. Honestly, I'm kind of worried about what it could be…"

"But it's not something about me losing my life… Of that, I'm certain, Mommy," Aire reassured to lessen her mother's weariness. 

'But I'm sure it'll be something that will make you suffer somehow,' Raine silently murmured. Aire had made big changes by marking her mate, possibly changing that boy's life and future…