Today has been an overly stressful day for all of us in this cabin. Jonah, EJ, Estel, Mia and I were the only ones who didn't lose a close loved one on this day. The Erbyn Revolt, sixteen years ago, took all the Protectors and Hunter's parents away from them. The day started with a simple memorial, and then everyone broke away to spend time alone. Ande didn't want me to go too far, so I didn't; letting her talk to me when she wanted.

Ande and I were sitting out in a clearing far away from the cabin. I've remained silent and have just sat holding Ande's hand.

Ande's voice breaks the silence. "I wonder what they were like."

"Who, your parents?"

"Yeah."

"I'm sure someone here knew them. Do you want me to find someone to talk to you about your parents?"

"I'm not sure," she says.

"I'm right here with you. Just let me know."

We sit there in the clearing for a while before Ande talks again.

"Can you go find someone? It would be a shame if I didn't learn something about them." Ande says.

Pushing myself up, I hurry to the cabin. Estel is on the front porch talking with Carleigh and Jonah. Inside, EJ is in the living room talking to Hunter. Mia is hurrying about the kitchen.

"Hey Mia. Do you have anything cooking at the moment?"

"Ängeli, can I help you with something?"

"Did you know Ande's parents?"

"Yes, good people."

"Can you come and talk with her about her parents? She's been quiet most of the day, but she wants to know something about them."

"Sure I can."

Mia dries off her hands and steps out of the door with me.

"What about your parents?" Mia asks.

"I have a good portion of my memories still intact. I remember little things here and there. Today is for Ande. I'll have my chance another day."

"Such a good man, just like your father. Anyway, there is a box in the Vault waiting for you also."

"That would be nice to see. Thank you, Mia. I don't think I ever thanked you for all you did for me when I was younger, so thank you for that also."

"You're very welcome."

We walk a little further and come to the clearing. Ande is lying back in the grass, staring at the sky. The sky doesn't match today's mood, but it may be beneficial for later. I let Mia walk ahead of me, and Ande jumps up and hugs Mia.

"Mia, did you know them?" Ande asks.

"Not as much as I would have liked, Sunneschii."

"What do you mean?" Ande asks.

"Your mother was a beautiful but private individual. Your father was the only one privy to her innermost thoughts and history. About all I know is that she came from Scotland by herself. She didn't talk about her past and preferred to be called Dove rather than Calumina. She never talked about family back in Scotland. You may have some relatives still living, but you also might have relatives uneager to be found, for whatever the reason."

"What about my father?"

"Handsome man he was. Dark brown hair and brown eyes. French ancestry. His mother's grandparents helped to settle the islands. He was an excellent Spellcaster."

Ande looks at Mia expectantly.

"Oh my, that's all I really know. We all respected your mother's privacy, and in turn, we didn't know much about them as a couple. The love on their faces shined, though, and your mother took you everywhere with her. We were able to save a few items before their house was torched. We keep them in the Vault in Akiva."

"Does that mean I can look at the items there?" Ande asks between blowing her nose.

"Of course you can. When you have a house of your own, you can take the box out of the Vault if you choose. I think I'll leave the two of you alone now." Mia says and gets up to walk to the cabin.

Silence blankets the area except for the occasional sniffle from Ande. Eventually, she lays back in the grass and looks up.

"I have a question." She says.

"Okay, what is it?"

"Is it bad that I'm considering whether this whole thing is a good idea?"

I give her a questioning look.

"Coming to the cabins, training to be a Protector or Guardian, and going to an unknown island to face some rebellion."

"Why do you ask now? Are you thinking of changing your mind?"

"My parents believed in this cause enough to risk their lives, and they were eventually killed. I wonder if that is the path I should take with my life - walk into a potential death sentence."

I consider her comment, thinking about what she is saying, and I don't know if I have the answers. My parents didn't die for a cause; they died in an accident. Something you can't predict, but can anybody see a clear future?

"Can anyone predict what is going to happen next? Can anyone predict when they are going to die? Hell, as bad as this sounds, a storm could come through tomorrow and cause a tree to fall on the cabin, killing one or more people. You can't predict the future. What do you want to do with your life? Where do you feel like you belong?"

"I'm not sure how to answer those questions," she responds.

"And that is okay, too. But you might want to decide sooner rather than later. We still have a long road ahead. I am committed to doing this. It feels right. I have spent my life trying to make people proud, which I would never fully achieve. I lost myself in trying to please others. Now is my time to help others and potentially find my forever. If I go home, I'll probably never reach my full potential. Can you say the same?"

"I don't know. Mom was so protective, I never felt like I could fully spread my wings. When Dad was home, he took me on more adventures, and this did help me realize I felt like something was missing from my life."

"And how do you feel now?" I ask.

"After my powers were unlocked, I felt like I had gained a piece of myself that was missing."

"And what will happen if you go home now?"

"I'll never know."

"Yes, you'll never know. I believe people ultimately die when it is their time. So whether you are here in the states or in your home country, if you are supposed to die on August 30, you will die on August 30. But that is just my opinion on the matter."

"I never thought of it that way. It does give me something to consider."

While Ande is taking a late nap, I set my plan in motion and hope for the best. After she gets up, I have whoever ran into her send her out to the balcony. Nervously, I sit and wait for her to get here. The look on her face is well worth the time I've waited. Getting up quickly, I guide her over to the table and hold out the chair for her. I go in to put our food on plates and return with them. I had Tally help me cook baked ziti with garlic knots.

We enjoy our meal, and when I go to get our dessert, we are interrupted by Jonah and Tanner. Juvenile shit really, but it causes Ande to laugh, so I can't be all that mad at them.

__________________________________________

[A/N]

Ängeli (little angel)

Sunneschii (sunshine)