Reclaiming My Broken Luna 2

Killian stepped forward, his presence a steadying force in the room. "Hey, buddy," he said, his voice unusually soft, almost gentle. "I know yesterday didn't go the way we planned."

Ryker's eyes shifted to him, his expression still clouded.

Killian knelt down beside him, making sure he was at Ryker's eye level. "It was supposed to be a special day for you - your birthday - but things got a little... messy. And I'm really sorry about that."

Ryker tilted his head, his fingers still toying with the edge of his notepad. He was listening, but I could tell he was waiting for more.

Killian's face softened, and for a moment, the guarded mask he usually wore was gone. "I promise we'll make it up to you. We'll do whatever you want-just you and me. How does that sound?"

Ryker's eyes lit up, if only for a second. He scribbled quickly on his notepad before holding it up. "Anything?"

Killian's lips curled into a small smile, a glimmer of relief in his eyes. "Anything," he confirmed. "Just name

it."

Ryker paused, considering the offer carefully. His eyes flicked from Killian to me, as if weighing his options.

Slowly, he began to write again, his brow furrowed in concentration. When he held up the notepad, it read: "Can we go to the beach?"

Killian and I leaned in closer, our eyes fixed on the notepad as Ryker held it up. Beneath his simple request of *Can we go to the beach?*, he had sketched something in his careful, childlike strokes. The drawing showed three figures: one adult male, one adult female, and a small child between them, holding their hands. The sun shone brightly in the background, and the waves were drawn in soft, blue lines. For a moment, we both stared at the image, trying to decipher its meaning. Killian's brow furrowed as he glanced from the notepad back to Ryker.

"Is this what you want, buddy?" he asked, his voice gentle. "To go to the beach with me... and your mom?" Ryker's eyes lifted to Killian's, and he shook his head. Then, with a determined expression, he reached out and tugged at my shirt, his grip firm but hesitant, as if making sure I understood what he meant.

I felt my breath catch, and I glanced at Killian, who stared back at me, a mix of surprise and confusion crossing his features.

"Ryker, do you mean..." he started slowly, as if he couldn't quite believe it. "Do you mean you want to go to the beach with Astrid and me?"

Ryker nodded eagerly, his eyes brightening as he let go of my shirt. He pointed to the female figure in his drawing and then to me, as if making it clear who he meant.

The realization hit me like a wave, and I felt my chest tighten with emotion. He wasn't asking for Giselle - he was asking for me.

Happiness and warmth bloomed inside me just because of his simple gesture.

Killian's eyes widened, and for a moment, he looked caught off guard. "Astrid?" he repeated, almost as if testing the idea aloud.

His voice was soft, the surprise evident. "You want Astrid to come with us?"noveldrama

Ryker nodded again, a small smile forming on his lips. He reached for the notepad once more, adding another detail to the drawing a smalt heart above the three figures, as if sealing the idea.

My throat felt tight, and I had to blink back the emotion welling in my eyes. He still has no idea about the truth and where Giselle really is, but he already feels this way aboutus.

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"How about your mom?" I asked him. "Don't you want her to come with us."

We all fell silent when Ryker's smile disappeared as he shook his head. We all know that Ryker never liked Giselle, but I didn't expect it to be at this extent.

After all, Ryker still thinks that Giselle is his real mother. This made me question what kind of mother Giselle was and how she had been treating me.

I looked up at Killian, and he met my gaze, his expression a mix of surprise, confusion and understanding. He is having the same thoughts as mine.

"Well," he said, his voice barely above a whisper, "I guess we're all going to the beach then," he spoke changing the topic again.

I smiled, my voice wavering slightly as I replied, "I'd be honored."

Ryker's grin widened, and he let out a small, excited sound, clearly pleased that his request was being fulfilled.

As he tucked his notepad away, I couldn't help but feel the warmth spread through me.

In that moment, it was as if Ryker had chosen me, in his own quiet way, and I felt my resolve strengthen.

It seems there's nothing to be scared of. Killian was right, I already won Ryker's heart. I just had to give it more time for him to know me and I to know him.

For him, I would give everything I had to make sure he felt loved, protected, and safe.

Killian stood up, with an excited look on his face. It was warm, and perhaps even grateful.

"Let's get ready, then," he said, his tone lighter than it had been in a long time. "The beach is waiting." And as Ryker held my hand, a sense of hope bloomed within me - maybe this was the beginning of something new, something we could build together, one day at a time.