Money and Magic

  As her husband went to bed, Aurora turned to face the kids. The kitchen’s warm light cast soft shadows across their faces, each one bearing the subtle marks of what they’d just experienced. She leaned forward, elbows on the wooden table they’d gathered around so many times for family dinners in another lifetime.

  “I know things have been intense,” she said, reaching out to touch Maeve’s hand. “Are you guys alright?”

  The air hung heavily with unspoken questions. Maeve’s eyes, always observant, tracked every subtle movement around the room. Nadia sat with her shoulders tense, watching her siblings with a wary expression.

  Aurora’s fingers traced the grain of the wooden table, feeling the familiar notches and scratches from years of family meals. “Your father doesn’t always communicate his intentions clearly when he speaks.”

  She turned to face Maeve and Nadia directly. “I want to clearly indicate that it’s still me.” She pressed a fist against her chest with a solid thump. “I know you’re probably freaking out. I promise we’re not replacing your body with aliens or anything, or maybe that’s a bad way to start all this. Your father would say; ‘Dear, that’s the first thing they’d think we want if you say that!’.”

  She tapped her finger against her head and smiled. “I know! It’s like knowing the future. If I remember correctly, you should find out that Jordan, your crush at school, actually likes you too. Buuut he does turn out to be a ‘cringe idiot’ as you would say repeatedly.”

  The unexpected comment shattered the tension like glass. Everyone burst out laughing simultaneously, the sound filling the kitchen with unexpected warmth. Nadia’s eyes widened as her cheeks flushed red, but she couldn’t help joining in the laughter.

  As the laughing subsided, Aurora straightened in her chair; her expression brightening. “Oh!” she exclaimed, nearly knocking over the small chandelier lamp above the table as she threw her hands up. “Your dad forgot to mention that we’re about to be filthy rich!”

  Her eyes gleamed with excitement as she continued, “He used his future knowledge to place the right investments. By the end of the year, we’ll rival most billionaires.”

  “I understand now, Mother,” Maeve replied, placing a hand on her mother’s excited shoulders with mock formality. “If Dad had led off with that, things would’ve been easier.”

  They all laughed again; the sound lighter this time. Aurora watched as Nadia’s shoulders visibly relaxed, the tension draining from her young frame.

  “Superpowered and rich?!” added Margo, her eyes flashing with a hint of green. “My Precious’s!”

  She rubbed her hands together with exaggerated greed but beneath the playfulness, Aurora could see the weight of memories in her daughter’s eyes. Memories of hunger, of scavenging, of never having enough.

  Xavier’s expression turned serious, his gaze dropping to his hands resting on the table. “He did all this,” he said flatly. “We’ve got to get stronger y’all.”

  This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

  The sudden shift in tone drew everyone’s attention. Xavier flexed his fingers, perhaps remembering what they were capable… or would be, in another future.

  “We all know from our memories that he’s sugar coating this,” he continued, looking up to meet everyone’s eyes. “I know you all remember your deaths, and I don’t want to feel that powerless…ever again.”

  A heavy silence followed his words. Aurora watched as Maeve reached for her glass of water, her hand steady despite the weight of Xavier’s statement.

  “I’m not sure what happened with you guys,” Maeve said, breaking the silence, “but as always, he needs to take charge, but he’ll argue against it.”

  She covered her face with her hands, the reality of their situation seemingly hitting her anew. “God, I can’t believe I’m having this conversation.”

  Aurora leaned forward, her voice dropping to a fierce whisper even though Alexander was asleep down the hall. “Then we make him. We put your father at the head in any decisions. Stay loyal and keep the family firm throughout all the pitfalls; and I’m worried there will be a helluva lot of ‘em. The power your father possesses is already growing and he’ll need our support.”

  Nadia stood abruptly, her chair scraping against the floor. She looked at each family member in turn, her young face set with determination beyond her years. “How do I like my eggs for breakfast?” she asked suddenly.

  Xavier’s brow furrowed in confusion. “What are you talking about? You hate eggs.”

  The moment the words left his mouth, Nadia launched herself at him, nearly knocking him over with the force of her hug. “You are my family!” she declared, tears glistening in her eyes despite her obvious attempt to hold them back.

  Aurora felt a swell of pride watching her youngest daughter. Even without restored memories, Nadia could recognize the truth in this moment, they were still her family regardless of the memories they now carried.

  Pulling back from Xavier, Nadia wiped at her eyes and squared her shoulders. “I’ll get my memories back tomorrow first, and we’ll follow Dad’s instructions,” she announced, her voice steady. “I’ll always speak my mind though. Dad doesn’t need people who just follow blindly.”

  Margo nodded in agreement, pushing back from the table with a determined expression. “Yeah, that’s enough crying for tonight. I have a feeling Maeve will need us tomorrow.” She grabbed her sister in a playful headlock and proceeded to scrub at her scalp with her knuckles.

  Maeve’s protests filled the kitchen, the familiar sibling roughhousing a strange comfort in the midst of an impending apocalypse.

  “Let’s get some sleep ourselves, if we can,” Aurora suggested, rising from her chair. She could feel the exhaustion settling into her bones; not just physical tiredness, but the emotional weight of carrying two timelines in her head. “Your father is more exhausted than he’s letting on. We’ll get you two done tomorrow after school.”

  As everyone stood to leave, Aurora raised a finger to her lips with an exaggerated gesture. “And remember...”

  “Keep our mouths shut!” they all chorused simultaneously, a momentary flash of perfect family synchronization that made Aurora’s heart twist with both joy and pain.

  As the kids dispersed to their rooms, Aurora remained in the kitchen, gathering the glasses from the table. She paused by the window, looking out at the night sky. In the reflection of the glass, she caught a glimpse of herself; eyes momentarily flashing with a faint golden light.

  Sleep came quickly for Margo and Xavier. They had forgotten what peace felt like. The silence bothered them at first, and Aurora could see a faint green light from under Margo’s door for a bit. But the sandman took them both within half an hour, and the snores of battle-hardened monsters shook the house.

  Aurora smiled sadly, remembering how they had all slept in shifts in the previous timeline, never allowing themselves to be completely vulnerable. Now, in the safety of their home, they could finally rest deeply.

  She climbed the stairs quietly, pausing at each child’s room. When she reached the master bedroom, she found Alexander sprawled across the bed, his face peaceful in sleep. She gently brushed a hand across his forehead, noting the lines of strain that remained even in rest.

  “We’ll be ready this time,” she whispered, more to herself than to him. “All of us.”