CHAPTER 143

ANNA KYLIN CHESTER

"MUM IS AWAKE!"

Even if I wasn't previously, I couldn't bear to smash the hope and excitement I had heard in Aiden's voice as soon as he peeped into my room and saw my eyes open. I sat up, hiding the difficulty in which I did that easy task.

They rushed in and crowded my bedside. "Addison was praying to the moon goddess that you would be awake when we came back from school..."

"You see my prayers were answered," Addison giggled. "I also prayed for the moon goddess to bring me a pony. I hope that one, too, is answered."

"What happened, mum?" Aiden asked. "Addie was very scared."

"Weren't you also scared?" Addison shrieked. "He cried in school today." She pointed at her brother.

"That was because my pencil broke!" Aiden tried to argue to preserve his dignity, but his sister was not having any of that. She giggled.

"Come here, babies," I opened my arms and gathered them in my embrace. I sniffed in their scent - the faint smell of school, and snow and child sweat. It wa