31st October, 2022 - Los Angeles, California
The remaining days of October seemed to pass by in a blur, as if the crisp autumn air had swept away the final remnants of the year's heat and before Lux knew it, it was the evening of the party.
"Why don't you try your binky for a bit, sweetheart?" Sebastian says, gently rocking the small girl on his lap and wiping a few tears from her cheeks.
Lux hesitated, her fingers tightly clutching Sebastian's shirt as she nestled further into Sebastian's chest. She hated feeling this wayâso overwhelmed and small. Her heart raced at the thought of the upcoming party, of being surrounded by people she didn't know, dressed in a costume that made her feel so out of place.
"It might help you to calm down a bit, love." He mumbles, his heart breaking at the frantic expression on her face.
They were meant to of left for the party 20 minuets ago but Lux had managed to work herself up into such a state that Sebastian told Vincent to take August now and then he'd come with Lux later, once she's calmed down a bit.
"I-I don't wanna go," she whispered, her voice muffled against him.
Sebastian pressed a kiss to the top of her head. "I know, baby. But it's just a little gathering, and me and Papa will be with you the whole time. We'll make sure you feel safe."
He reaches over to the coffee table, grabbing the small pink pacifier. "Here we go," he said softly "Your favorite, Luxie. Just give it a try, hmm?"
Lux peeked at the pacifier in Sebastian's hand, her lower lip trembling. She didn't like needing it, but she also knew it sometimes helped her feel calmer. Slowly, she reached for it, her fingers brushing his hand as she took it.
"Good girl," Sebastian praised gently, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear as she hesitated before slipping the pacifier into her mouth. The familiar, soothing sensation worked almost immediately, and her small whimpers quieted as she sucked on it.
Sebastian continued to rock Lux gently, his arms wrapped securely around her as he hummed a soft tune. He felt the tension in her small body slowly begin to ease, her breathing becoming steadier as she nestled deeper into his chest.
"That's my girl," he murmured soothingly, running his fingers through her hair. "Nice and calm, just like this."
Lux clung to him, her face pressed against his shoulder as the pacifier worked its quiet magic. The frantic whirl of thoughts in her head started to slow down, replaced by a foggy sense of safety in Sebastian's arms.
Sebastian held her close for a while longer, letting her fully relax before he even thought about bringing up the party again. He glanced at the clockâit was running late, but Lux's comfort was more important than being on time.
"You're doing so well, little one," Sebastian whispered. "No rush, okay? We'll take this one step at a time."
Lux doesn't reply but he can tell she's slowly calming down again.
"Jus' wanna stay with you daddy" She mumbles, her voice muffled due to the pacifier in her mouth.
Sebastian's heart ached a little at her words, but he smiled softly, kissing her temple. "How about this," he offered. "We'll stay just for a little while. If it feels like too much, we can leave anytime you want. No questions asked."
Lux nodded weakly, her small hands still gripping his shirt. She didn't know how Sebastian always seemed to know the right thing to say, but it helped. The looming fear of the Halloween party started to feel a little more distant, less suffocating.
Sebastian rocked her a few more minutes, watching as her eyelids drooped slightly. She wasn't asleep, but she was clearly in a more relaxed state now. Maybe even regressing a little. He adjusted her in his lap, her small body fitting snugly against his chest.
"And daddy's even got the exact same wings as you, sweet girl." He says. "We're gonna be matching."
Lux let out a soft, sleepy hum, feeling comforted by the warmth of Sebastian's embrace and the gentle rhythm of his rocking. The thought of being matching - even if it was only the wings - made her feel a little more at ease.
After a few moments of quiet, Sebastian broke the silence. "Alright, sweet girl," he murmured, still softly rocking her. "How about we try to get ready to go, just for a little bit, okay? We won't stay long if it's too much for you."
Lux mumbled something incomprehensible around the pacifier, her face scrunching in thought. She wanted to stay with him, to not go anywhere that made her feel uncomfortable.
Sebastian smiled gently, kissing the top of her head. "Let's give it a go, baby. If we get there and you want to leave, we'll leave. Okay? You're in control, always."
"Okay" Lux whispers.
Sebastian smiled, brushing a hand over her hair before gently picking up the angel wings. "How about we get your wings on, and then we'll get mine on too? We'll be an angel duo."
Lux nods, her heart fluttering at his words.
Sebastian gently slipped the angel wings over Lux's shoulders, securing the straps with tender care.
"There, all set," he said softly, brushing her hair back one last time.
He took a second to simply admire his little girl, her soft features framed by the wings, her pacifier tucked securely between her lips, and her eyes still clouded with a mix of uncertainty and comfort. He couldn't help but feel a pang in his heartâhis sweet Luxie, so vulnerable yet so strong in her own way.
"You're so precious," he whispered, pressing a soft kiss to the end of her pacifier.
Lux up at him before glancing over to the coffee table where his pair of wings were resting. "Matching wings," Lux mumbled around her pacifier, looking back up at Sebastian with wide eyes.
Sebastian chuckled softly, his heart warming at her quiet acknowledgment. "That's right, little angel" He says. "You gonna help daddy get his wings on?"
Lux nods, eager to help. Sebastian lifts her off his lap, setting her on the floor before getting off the couch too and kneeling down in front of her so it's easier for her to reach.
She grabs the pair of white wings, attaching them around his shoulders in the same way he had done to her before taking a step back to admire her work.
The contrast between his black suit he was wearing and the soft white wings made him look almost ethereal. And Lux wondered just how fancy this little 'party' was going to be since Sebastian was dressed very smartly.
He stood up fully, stretching his arms out and adjusting the wings. He looks down at Lux with a proud smile. "Good job, babe. You really are daddy's little helper, huh?" he said, giving her a playful wink.
Lux nods shyly, reaching her arms up towards the man.
Sebastian chuckled softly, bending down to scoop Lux into his arms once again. The little sweetheart really didn't want to be put down today.
"You did great with my wings, sweetheart," he murmured, kissing her forehead. "How about we head out now? Just a little while, remember? You're doing amazing."
Lux clung to him a little tighter, the pacifier still between her lips, but she nodded slightly. She trusted him completely.
He kissed her head again, his heart swelling with affection.
With a final glance at the room, he carried her down the stairs and toward the door, his wings slightly brushing against the walls.
"Papa and Auggie already left?"
Sebastian nods in confirmation, putting Lux down for a second so that he can put his shoes on, causing the small girl to whine.
He quickly finished tying his shoes, moving on to helping Lux with hers, sensing her need for closeness. Once done, he swiftly scoops her back up, grabbing his car keys before heading out.
He walks over to a black Porsche, opening the passenger door and carefully settling Lux into the seat. She nuzzled into the plush fabric of the seat. Sebastian buckled her in gently, making sure she was comfortable before he closed the door and moved around to the driver's side.
He started the car, the hum of the engine filling the quiet air. He glanced over at Lux, who was now snuggled into the seat. Her eyes were half-closed, the comfort of the moment clearly taking over as she relaxed in his seat. Despite her earlier anxiety, she seemed to be calming down.
"Alright" Sebastian sighs as he begins expertly reversing the car out of the driveway "Ready to hit the road?"
Lux nods, her eyes fixed on the steering wheel, watching as his hands turned it around and around. She'd almost forgotten how absolutely loaded they were.
The car rolled smoothly down the street, the soft hum of the engine filling the quiet air as they made their way to the party. The gate which she had tried to escape through all those days ago opened automatically and Sebastian drove out of the estate.
"S'this a nice car?" Lux asks, examining the interior. She didn't know a whole lot about cars - her mother didn't even own one back in Brooklyn - but she was sure this car was nice.
"Yeah, sweetheart," Sebastian chuckles, glancing over at her. "This is one of your Papa's toys, but I have to admit, it's pretty nice. Fast too, if I ever need to make a quick getaway." He winks at her.
Sebastian would never admit it but the money he and Vincent spent on cars was genuinely alarming.
"I want a car like this" She mumbles from around the pacifier, tracing her fingers over the stitches on the leather seats.
Sebastian chuckled softly at Lux's comment, his eyes briefly glancing over at her as she traced her fingers along the leather seats. He could tell she was still in a dreamy, calm state, the pacifier working wonders to settle her nerves.
"Daddy will buy you one then, someday." He says, almost matter-of-factly. "Whatever you want, I'll make sure you have it."
Lord, he was smitten. Lux could ask for a billion dollars and he'd probably say yes.
Lux's eyes sparkled a little at his words, the thought of one day having her own car, something as fancy as this, making her feel a bit giddy.
The car continues on, the city lights blurring together as Sebastian drives. It was nice to be out of the house after being inside for so long.
They reached the party a few minutes later, pulling into a grand driveway with a large, ornate iron gate that opened automatically as they approached. Sebastian drove up the path, the large house illuminated by warm lights, giving the entire scene an almost magical glow.
Sebastian pulls up around the front of the house, turning off the engine before getting out and walking around to Lux's side so he could get her out too.
He swiftly opened the passenger door, helping Lux out of the vehicle. She had started to relax more during the drive, her pacifier still tucked firmly in her mouth, her small hands gripping his shirt. Sebastian could feel her tension, but he also sensed that she was doing her best to adjust.
He hands the car keys over to the valet and takes Lux's hand, guiding her up the steps to the grand entrance of the party.
"You want to keep the binky or give it to Daddy?"
Lux thinks for a moment before taking the pacifier out of her mouth and handing it to him. It was comforting but Lux didn't want to be seen as too little or smaller than she was.
Sebastian gently took the pacifier from her, giving her a soft smile. "Good girl, baby. You're doing great," he murmured, tucking it safely into his pocket. He squeezed her hand, feeling the slight tremor in her small fingers.
Lux nodded, trying to steady her breath. The comforting weight of Sebastian's hand in hers helped, but she could still feel the pit of anxiety swirling in her stomach. Yet she swallowed her fear.
She could do this, just for a little while. If it got too much, she could leave. She just had to hold on a bit longer.
Sebastian rang the doorbell, his expression calm and reassuring as he looked down at her. When the door swung open, they were greeted by a smiling man in a black suit.
"Seb, you made it!" The man's voice was warm and welcoming, but Lux could feel her anxiety rise even more. She clung tighter to Sebastian's side.
"Of course," Sebastian replied smoothly, his voice steady. "It's been a while, huh?"
The man nods, gesturing for them to come inside. "Loving the wings" He chuckles.
Sebastian grins, pulling Lux closer to the side. "Matching with my little one, you know?" He chuckles.
The man glances down, finally looking at Lux. "And you must be Lux" He smiles, crouching down to her height. "I've heard so much about you."
Lux felt a wave of nervousness wash over her as the man greeted her. She hadn't been ready for attention, especially from someone she didn't know. She instinctively tightened her grip on his hand and pressed closer to him, her cheeks flushed.
Sebastian noticed the shift in her demeanor and gently placed a hand on the small of her back, his touch grounding her. "Yeah, this is my little girl, Luxie. The newest addition" he said, his tone warm and protective. "She's still a bit shy around new faces, but I'm sure she'll warm up."
The man smiled understandingly, his eyes softening as he stood up. "No rush, little one. Just wanted to say you look beautiful in your wings."
"This is Thomas" Sebastian explains softly "And he has a little girl too, around your age. That's exciting, hm?"
The man who went by Thomas grinned, nodding his head. "I do," He said, his voice carrying a hint of pride. "Her name is Avery, and I'm sure she'd love to meet you."
Lux looked up at Sebastian, her small hand still clutched tightly in his. She wasn't quite sure about having to actually socialise but getting to know another girl could be fun. Great even. She'd been surrounded by boys for so long the idea of having female company was incredibly appealing.
"Why don't we get ourselves situated, then we'll focus on having some fun." Sebastian suggests.
Lux nods in agreement, still clutching his hand.
Thomas stepped aside to make room for them to enter, offering a kind smile to Lux as they moved past him. "Come on in, make yourselves comfortable," he said, his voice still soft and inviting.
"Can we find papa and Auggie?" She asks softly.
"Of course, babe," Sebastian replied gently, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze. "We'll find them first, so you'll feel more comfortable." He glanced around the lavishly decorated entrance hall, his sharp eyes scanning for Vincent and August.
The house was even more extravagant than Lux had imagined, with grand chandeliers casting warm light over the room and decorations meticulously placed to create an elegant Halloween vibe. There were cobwebs draped over mirrors, flickering candles in jack-o'-lantern holders, and clusters of people dressed in creative costumes, mingling and chatting. The low hum of laughter and music filled the air.
Thomas led them further into the house, and as they entered the main hall, Lux spotted Vincent. He was standing near the fireplace, dressed impeccably in a dark suit, holding the same shield that captain America used.
It surprised her that the men really had listened to her about dressing up.
"There's papa," Sebastian said softly, guiding Lux in his direction.
Lux's face brightened slightly as she spotted Vincent, the familiar presence bringing a sense of relief. She clung tighter to Sebastian's hand as they approached, her steps small and tentative.
"Well, there's my little angel," Vincent said warmly, his voice carrying over the soft hum of the room. He crouched slightly, holding out his free arm as if inviting Lux for a hug.
Lux let go of Sebastian's hand only to step hesitantly into Vincent's embrace. His arms wrapped around her, strong and comforting, and she leaned into him.
"You look absolutely adorable, sweet girl," Vincent murmured, adjusting the wings on her shoulders with a gentle touch. "And matching with Daddy, I see. Very cute."
Lux nodded shyly, a small smile creeping onto her face. "He said we're an angel duo," she mumbled.
Vincent chuckled, standing back to his full height and ruffling her hair gently. "I'd say he's right. You two look perfect." Then he shifted his attention to Sebastian, raising an eyebrow. "And you even managed to get her here, huh? Was she giving you trouble?"
Sebastian grinned, shaking his head. "Nothing we couldn't handle. She's being so brave, aren't you, Luxie?"
Lux nodded, shuffling back over to Sebastian. She liked Vincent but nothing could quite compare to the comfort of her daddy.
"Where's August?" Sebastian asks, glancing around the room.
"Last time I saw him he was trying to sneak marshmallows off the buffet table with Josh" Vincent chuckles. "Little rascals, I swear."
Sebastian chuckled, tipping his head back. "I'm not even surprised."
Vincent nods, taking a sip of his drink. "You want something to eat, Luxie? They've got lots of yummy food here."
She thinks for a second, peeking at the buffet table from behind Sebastian. It was huge and glamorous, filled with lots of different types of food
She nods slowly. Now that she thinks about it, she was a bit hungry and could do with some food.
Sebastian took her hand once more, giving it a soft squeeze. "Come on, angel. We'll check out the buffet, and you can pick whatever you'd like."
Lux and Sebastian move towards the buffet table whilst Vincent goes back to talking to some random other adults who the young girl has never seen before.
Lux's eyes widened as they approached the table, the sheer variety of food almost overwhelming. There were beautifully decorated cupcakes, cookies shaped like ghosts and pumpkins, bowls of candies, platters of finger foods, and even a chocolate fountain. Everything looked so perfect, like it had been pulled straight out of a magazine.
"See anything you like?" Sebastian asked, his tone soft and encouraging as he knelt beside her, letting her take her time.
Lux scanned the table, her fingers still gripping Sebastian's hand tightly. Her gaze landed on a cupcake with white frosting and tiny silver sprinkles - it almost looked like it was glowing. She pointed to it shyly. "That one," she mumbled, her voice barely above a whisper.
Sebastian chuckled, reaching out to grab the cupcake for her. "Good choice, little angel. Anything else? Maybe some fruit or a little sandwich?"
Lux hesitated for a moment before nodding again, pointing to a small plate of sliced strawberries.
Sebastian added them to the plate along with the cupcake, then glanced at her. "How about a drink, baby? They've got juice, water, or maybe a little punch?"
"Juice please"
Sebastian poured her a small glass of orange juice, careful not to spill. "Alright, my little angel. Let's sit over there, yeah?" He nodded toward a quieter corner of the room, away from the crowd.
They take a seat on a cozy loveseat tucked away by a large window. The view of the backyard was stunning, lit up with strings of fairy lights and a few decorative jack-o'-lanterns. Sebastian set the plate and glass on a small table in front of them before sitting down and pulling Lux onto his lap.
"There we go," he said warmly, adjusting her wings as she settled against him. "Now you can eat in peace."
Lux picked up the cupcake, carefully peeling back the wrapper. She took a small bite, the sweet frosting melting on her tongue almost instantly.
It was delicious, and for a moment, she forgot about the party and her nerves.
"Good?" Sebastian asked, watching her with a fond smile.
Lux nodded, her cheeks puffed slightly as she chewed. She offered him a tiny smile, a rare but precious expression that melted his heart.
"Daddy wants a bite?" She offers quietly.
Sebastian's heart swelled at her sweet gesture. He chuckled softly, leaning forward to take a small bite from the side of the cupcake she held up. "Mmm," he hummed, exaggerating his reaction just to make her giggle. "That's the best cupcake I've ever had. Must be because my little angel picked it out."
She lets out a little giggles, muffled as she took another bite of the cupcake. The warm sound of her laughter brought relief to Sebastian - seeing her relaxed, even for a moment, made the whole ordeal of getting her here worth it.
As she ate quietly, Sebastian kept an eye on the crowd. From their little corner, he could see the other guests mingling and chatting with a few other little ones running around and playing. He was glad they had found this secluded spot for Lux to settle. He stroked her back gently, his touch soothing and steady. "You're doing so well, sweetheart," he murmured, leaning down and kissing her cheek.
"We could go have a look for Auggie after this if you'd like? Another familiar face might be nice." He suggests.
She nodded slowly, her fingers absentmindedly playing with the corner of her cupcake wrapper. "Okay"
Sebastian smiled gently, running a hand through her hair.
Lux finished her cupcake and began to pop the strawberries in her mouth one by one.
She had realised that since coming to live with Sebastian and Vincent, she'd never once had an empty stomach. She'd grown to appreciate the feeling of being full a lot.
He ran a hand through her hair, gently rocking her back and forth on his lap as the party continued to hum around them. As she relaxed against him, he noticed the quiet, almost serene look on her face. It wasn't the anxious, panicked expression from earlier. She was beginning to feel more at home here, even with all the new faces and loud voices.
"All done" She announces, her plate empty.
"Alright, little one," Sebastian said softly "Let's go find Auggie."
Lux nodded, allowing the man to lift her up off his lap and set her back down on the floor. She takes ahold of his hand, not wanting to be too far from him.
They made their way through the party, Lux clinging tightly to the older man. It was weird to be surrounded by so many adults who shared a similar dynamic with their own little ones that she shared with Vincent and Sebastian.
They continue to wonder through the large house, looking around for the young boy. Eventually, the sound of his bubbly voice comes into earshot.
They follow the sound of August's voice, the small boy's laughter ringing through the hallway, his voice bubbling with excitement as he chatted with someone - presumably Josh.
As they rounded a corner, they spotted him. August was standing near a different large buffet table with a plate full of marshmallows, his costume - an adorable little dinosaur - perfectly fitting his mischievous nature.
"Daddy! Sissy!" August shouts, immediately running towards the pair and dragging another boy along with him.
"Uncle Sebby!" The other boy squeals as if he's known the man for years.
"Daddy!" August exclaimed, his voice high-pitched and excited. "Look, I got all the marshmallows!" He proudly showed off his plate, clearly excited about his little snack.
Sebastian chuckled. "That's a lot of marshmallows, little rascal. Did you leave any for the others?" he teased, giving August a playful ruffle of his hair.
"Nope! They're all mine!" August grinned mischievously, but his eyes flickered over to Lux, who was standing quietly next to them.
"This my new sissy, Joshy!" August exclaims to the boy with blonde hair who's stood next to him.
Josh looked over at Lux, his blue eyes curious and friendly. "Hi!" he said with a wave, smiling at her as if trying to make her feel more at ease.
Lux shifted her weight slightly, still clinging to Sebastian's hand. She didn't know what to say -she was still adjusting, still feeling out of place in this strange, lavish world. But she found herself looking at the small boy, intrigued by his bright energy.
"Hi," Lux mumbled, her voice soft but genuine.
August bounced excitedly from one foot to the other, holding up his marshmallow-filled plate. "Joshy's my friend!" he said proudly, as if that simple fact could make the entire room suddenly less intimidating. "He's fun!"
Lux smiled faintly.
Josh nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah! I like playing with Auggie. We play tag and hide-and-seek. S'so fun!" he exclaims, his voice filled with a childlike optimism that felt contagious.
"Daddy, Avery's been askin' so much 'bout Luxie!" August says excitedly.
Sebastian smiled warmly at August's enthusiasm, his eyes softening as he looked down at Lux, who was still clinging to his hand. The mention of Avery, Thomas's little one, caught his attention. He could tell that August was excited to introduce Lux to another girl around her age, and that might be just what she needed to feel more at ease.
"Is that right?" Sebastian said, his voice gentle. "Avery's been asking about you, huh? I think you might like her, Lux."
Lux's eyes flickered between August's excited face and Josh, who was still holding his plate of marshmallows with a big grin. She was shy, but the idea of meeting another little girl, someone her own age, made her feel a bit hopeful.
"Do you want to meet her, Luxie?" Sebastian asked softly, his voice carrying a hint of encouragement. "It could be fun. Just another little friend to play with."
Lux hesitated for a moment, her grip on his hand tightening. She was nervous, unsure of what to expect. But after a second, she nodded slowly, looking up at Sebastian with wide eyes. "Okay," she whispered.
"Alright then, let's go find Avery," Sebastian said, offering her a reassuring smile. He gently nudged August, who had already started bouncing on his toes with excitement. "Lead the way, boys."
With a big grin, August and Josh took off toward the direction they'd last seen the young girl.
Sebastian and Lux followed closely behind, watching as the two boys led the way, their laughter echoing through the hallway. Lux's grip on Sebastian's hand remained tight, her small fingers trembling just slightly, but she was determined to keep going. The mention of another girl around her age still seemed to stir a mixture of curiosity and anxiety in her chest.
As they turned a corner, they found themselves in a spacious room, dimly lit with candles and decorated in a playful Halloween theme and before Lux even has time to process anything, a girl dressed in a sweet little fairy costume with brown hair and dimples comes running up to them.
Lux felt her stomach tighten a little, but something in the girl's warm, welcoming demeanor made her feel a bit more at ease. The girl stood before her, eyes sparkling with curiosity, as she tilted her head to one side, waiting for a reaction.
"This is Avery," August declared proudly, pointing to the girl with one of his sticky, marshmallow-covered fingers. "You're gonna like her, Luxie!"
"Hey!" Avery grins excitedly, giving her a wave.
Lux's eyes flickered to Sebastian, who was still standing behind her, his hand on her shoulder in a comforting, steadying gesture. His voice was soft as he encouraged her. "It's okay, baby. Avery's really nice. You can talk to her."
"Hello" Lux whispers.
Avery smiled warmly at Lux, her big brown eyes twinkling with curiosity. She reached out a hand in a gentle gesture of friendship. "Hi, I'm Avery!" she said brightly, her voice filled with excitement. "You wanna play with me?"
"Ummm" Lux mumbles, a little unsure of what to say.
"Go give it a try, Luxie" Sebastian encouraged, patting her back gently. Lux was so much braver than she thought and he knew that making other friends would be so important for her.
"I have lotsa toys," Avery smiles. "We can play with anything!"
Lux's eyes shifted to the toys scattered around the roomâcolorful dolls, stuffed animals, and a few puzzles that looked inviting. It was different from the playroom that she shared with August back at Sebastian and Vincent's house. But not a bad different.
Slowly, Lux nodded, her fingers still clutching Sebastian's hand but with a little less tension.
"Me n'Joshy can play too!" August says, already walking to a game which was laid out on the floor.
Avery smiled brightly and jumped to her feet. "Yay!" She clapped her hands together in delight.
The small group of them gather around the game on the floor which appears to be 'snakes and ladders'.
"Daddy stay?" Lux asks nervously, looking back up at Sebastian.
Sebastian smiled gently, kneeling down to her level, his hand still resting on her shoulder. "I'll stay close, sweetheart," he reassured her, his voice warm and soothing.
Lux's eyes searched his face, her small fingers gripping the edge of his shirt. For a moment, she seemed hesitant, but the encouraging smiles from Avery, August, and Josh helped ease some of her anxiety.
Avery giggled, reaching for the dice in the game. "It'll be fun, I promise," she said, her voice bubbling with excitement.
Slowly, she stepped forward and sat down beside Avery, her small hands resting on the game board.
Sebastian watched her, his heart swelling with pride. She was making progress, bit by bit. And while he knew it was hard for her, he also knew that every small step forward was a victory.
"Good girl, Luxie," Sebastian whispered under his breath, his eyes never leaving her. He settled into a chair nearby, keeping an eye on her as she began to engage in the game. It was clear she was still a little unsure, but she was trying - and that meant so much to him.
August sat down next to her, holding his plate of marshmallows with a proud grin. "We're gonna beat all of you!" he declared, puffing out his chest as he plopped down beside Lux. Josh sat down on the other side.
"Well if you boys are allowed to team up, then me n' Lux can team up too. Girls versus boys!" Avery states, scooting closer to Lux.
Lux felt a flutter of excitement mixed with uncertainty. As Avery scooted closer to her, the warm, friendly energy of the girl was definitely soothing her nerves.
"Okay," Lux whispered, her voice barely above a murmur. She was still holding back a bit, but she couldn't deny that there was a spark of curiosity in her eyes now. "Girls versus boys."
August let out a triumphant laugh, already rolling the dice with enthusiasm. "We're gonna win, for sure!" he announced, puffing out his chest proudly.
Sebastian watched his little girl as she sat with Avery, her shoulders relaxed, her face glowing with the kind of innocence and joy he hadn't seen in a while. He knew this was a turning point for Lux. Slowly, but surely, she was adjusting to the world around her.
He wasn't sure how long it would take, or how many more hurdles they'd have to cross, but he knew that he would be there to guide her every step of the way.
---
Sorry for the wait! Happy holidays ðð
I haven't proof read this and wrote it whilst I was half asleep so some of it might have been questionable lol.