The Last Shadowhearth

「The Beginning (pt. 5)」

(Abelardo's POV)

After leaving the village Reighlanburrow, I made my way back to the forests of the outskirts. I grinned, walking home. 

(Elizabeth's POV)

I moved my doll Sally closer to Ella and spoke in a different voice. "Midnight, Snowy wants to pway with you!" I said while making the polar bear plush waddle over to Ella.

Ella held the bunny plush in both hands and made it's ear flop by shaking it gently. "Snowy? Wet's all pway togwether!" She exclaimed with cheerful giggling, putting the bunny plush near Sally and the polar bear plush.

"Alwight, let's pway, hehehe!" I giggled happily, holding Sally and Snowy in either hand and moving them in random motions while Ella moved Midnight around. 

Suddenly we heard a kick at the door. Startled, Ella and I exchanged glances before I grinned mischievously. "Alwight Ewwa, let's go gweet papa!" I laughed. Ella nodded in agreement and jumped up. "Let's guuu!"

I grabbed Ella's hand and rushed to the living room. I swung the door open. Ella and I threw ourselves at our father, hugging his legs since we were really short compared to him. "Welcome home papa!" We shouted in unison.

Our father seemed surprised from the sudden hug attack but smiled nonetheless. "Alright, alright, thanks you little leeches." He laughed, tried to get inside but we kept hugging onto him.

Akane walked over to us with a chuckle, seeing the predicament we had our father in and grabbed us by the shoulders. "There is enough time for affection later. Let father in or you won't get any cake!" He grinned mischievously.

Ella gasped dramatically and puffed out her cheeks. "No fair, it's my biwthday! It's my cake!" She crossed her arms, staring at Akane with a pouty face. 

I nodded in agreement. "Yeah! It is her cake idiwots! What nonsense are you speaking?!" I protested, trying to defend my little sister.

Akane and papa chuckled and exchanged glances. Akane shook his head and swooped the two of us up in his arms. "Don't be troublemakers, the cake is for everyone to share!" He then set us both down and ruffled his hands through our hair. 

Mama came into the living room, curious about all the commotion. Upon seeing us she smiled and crossed her arms. "Keep it down guys will you?" She laughed and walked over to us. "Welcome home, dear." She took the box of cake from papa and kissed him on the cheek.

Papa smiled and returned the kiss, wrapping his arms around mama. "How are you feeling?" He asked.

Mama smiled and sighed. "Still tired, but I am glad I can be with my family. This is all I could ask for..." She hugged papa for a few seconds before she pulled away from his embrace. "Anyways." She cleared her throat, holding her hands in front of her lap. "Who is ready to celebrate Ella's birthday?"

My eyes glimmered as I hugged onto Ella tightly while raising my right arm. "I am! Today will be the best! Tee hee!" I nuzzled Ella and picked her up, twirling around.

Akane raised his hand with a smile. "Same here, let today be the best for Ella!" He spoke in a cheerful tone.

Papa nods in agreement to what Akane and I said while putting his hands down to his side. "I will make sure we all have the best day, especially Ella.." He pat Ella's head and she smiled with glimmering eyes. 

I was glad today was going the best for all of us. This special day was only going to get even better! I started running around to try and get rid of some energy to calm down. "Let's celebwate alweady, I'm bored!" I pouted and crossed my arms.

______________________

Two Hours Later

______________________

I laughed and flung myself onto my back while my arms were wrapped around Ella. The cake was all gone, at this time Ella and I were trying to zap all our energy before we had to go to bed. Mama and papa were trying to sleep in their room so Akane watched us to make sure we didn't get hurt.

"Todway was da best!" Ella exclaimed while laughing cheerfully, squirming around in my embrace. I laughed and nodded in agreement, hugging her even more tightly.

"Agweed! I wish evwyday could be like this... hehe!" I ruffled a hand through Ella's hair and held her up into the air. "Fly awayyyy!"

Soon enough Akane had to tell us to go to bed. We didn't want to but it was getting pretty late. "Alright, it's bedtime!"

Ella and I frowned and began to protest. "I don't wanna go to sleep yet! I have too much energy!"

"Same, no fair!" Ella crossed her arms, showing a bit of sass.

Akane grinned again and looked at us. "Who wants to hear a bed time story?"

My eyes glimmered and we both started squealing. "Yes pwease!"

Ella nodded after me and put her hands together. "Pwease wea us a bed twime stowy!" She begged

Akane chuckled. "Only if you go to bed first you sillies."

I puffed out my cheeks and murmured, "Fine..."

Ella whined and started jumping about. "No fair, no fair! But, fine...." 

Akane crossed his arms with a victorious grin. "Aha! I knew that would get you guys to bed. Let's go now before it gets too late."

Ella and I ran to our room and hopped into the same bed. "Read us a stowy now!" I shouted while pulling Ella close. Ella smiled and nuzzled into me, getting comfortable.

Akane chased us to our room while chuckling. "Slow down, you guys are too fast for ol' me" He joked around, wiping his forehead with the back of his hand.

Ella covered her mouth with her hands and snickered. I began to laugh loudly. "You awen't even that old Akane-nii!" 

Akane rolled his eyes and laughed along with us. "I'm technically an adult Lizzie! I  am getting old really quickly" He complained in a joking manner.

I reached my arms out to him and puffed my cheeks. "Just tell us a bedtime stowy ow we will attack! Right, Ewwa?" I asked my little sister.

Ella nodded with a playfully evil grin. "Yeah!" She shouted while clinging onto me. Her tiny fangs poked out from her mouth and hanging over her bottom lip.

Akane sighed with a troubled look on his face. "Fine, fine. Just settle down. What is the point of a bedtime story if you troublemakers aren't winding down for bed?"

Ella and I laid down while I held her in my arms, pulling the blanket back over us. "Okayyy. Now will you pwease tell us a bedtime stowy?

Akane smiled, nodding as he sat down at the edge of the bed. "Alright.."

Soon before I knew it, Ella was already peacefully asleep in my arms. I smiled, drifting off to sleep myself.