Eternal Spirit

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Eternal Spirit

Part 28

"Ren! Ren!" The child gleamed happily and jumped into her mother's arms. She wrapped her legs around her waist and pressed her chubby cheek against Serenity's face in a close embrace.

Serenity smiled warmly at her daughter and encircled her arms tighter around the child. "I sure have missed you Lea!" She shifted the child's weight on her hip and grinned at the young Amazon.

Lea placed her hands on each of the Amazon's cheeks squeezing them together playfully and chuckling at the funny faces she was creating. "I missed you too lots and lots. You all better now?" She stilled her hands and stared intently at her mother. Her eyes filled with moisture.

Serenity stroked her cheek lovingly. "Hey no tears. I'm all better." She feigned a serious face. "I promise." Once she felt her daughter relax in her arms she crept up Lea's right leg playfully with one hand until her fingers nestled into one of her favorite tickle spots. She began to tickle the squirming child along her belly and side. "Now where is that gigglebox? Hmmm I know it's here somewhere." Lea giggled louder. "Aha! There it is!"

Solari was standing at the entrance of the hut watching the exchange between her partner and child humorously. She shook her head in amusement and began to walk towards them. "I know a certain young lady who is supposed to be in bed right now." She folded her arms across her chest and looked sternly at the young Amazon.

Serenity tried to suppress the grin that began to creep along her face. She cleared her throat and glanced at her daughter questioningly. The seriousness that reflected in the child's expression caused the two Amazon's to break into genuine laughter. Serenity came within reach of her partner and smiled warmly. She leaned in towards her lips but was interrupted by a string of giggles.

Solari chuckled and took her daughter into her arms tickling her. "Alright miss giggles off to bed with you. Tarra is waiting outside for you." She settled the child down gently before her.

Lea's bottom lip started quivering and her eyes brimmed with tears. She folded her arms across her chest defiantly. "But I don't wanna! I wanna stay with Ren!"

Serenity crouched down facing her daughter and cupped her chin lightly. "I've missed you too sweetie but you need to get some rest. It is going to be a very busy day tomorrow."

The young Amazon shook her head stubbornly and used the back of her hand to wipe away the stray tears that ran down her cheeks. "I wanna stay with you!"

"She is afraid something will happen to me again. Oh Lea..." The Amazon tenderly wiped the tears from the child's face and smiled affectionately. "Listen to me sweetie. Nothing bad is going to happen to me. I promise I am going to be right here waiting for you when you wake up in the morning, sleepy eyes and all." The child smiled at her remark. "That's my smiling girl." She wrapped her arms around her daughter briefly and kissed her forehead. "Now scoot to bed before mommy gets grumpy!"

Solari's jaw dropped open in surprise. "Hey who you calling grumpy?" She winked at Lea and then leaned down and placed a goodnight kiss on her cheek. "Off you go little lady." She swatted the child on the behind playfully as she ran past her towards the doorway of the hut where Tarra was waiting. "She becomes more and more like you everyday Ren." She turned her gaze towards her partner and smiled.

"Not to worry she still has your stubborn side!" She teased.

Solari pulled Serenity into a tight embrace. "I was so close to losing you Ren. I just wish I could hold you and never let go. Just let time freeze and remain locked in this moment for eternity." She closed her eyes remaining in deep thought.

"What are you thinking about Solari?" The Amazon traced her fingertips along her partner's arm lightly in a comforting manner.

Solari exhaled slowly and opened her eyes. She squeezed the Amazon tighter and rested her chin upon her shoulder. "Thinking about you and how close I came to losing you."

"I am alive and well and I am all yours love." Serenity leaned against her lover further into her embrace. After a few moments elapsed she broke the silence that had settled between them. "Solari, is Gabrielle really going to follow through with the Battle of Wills?"

A sigh escaped the breath of the Amazon. "Yes."

"Do you really believe Xena will stand by and allow this? Don't you think she will stop it?" Serenity released herself from her lover's hold and turned to face her worry flushing her face.

Solari met her gaze with a degree of sadness and then turned her attention to the full moon which was visible through the window before her. She closed her eyes for a moment letting the moonlight bathe her face. After a sharp intake of breath she opened her eyes and met the green orbs before her. "Honestly Ren, I don't think Artemis herself could stop her."

Continued In Part 29

If you would like to be notified when I add any new parts please email me! TexasBard24@aol.com. This is my first try at writing a story so all your comments are greatly appreciated. (Please note: my email address used to be XenaFan22@aol.com. I no longer have this account so any of you that were on my mailing list will need to re-email me as I no longer have your addresses.)