The next few months passed without problem, just as Lumin had planned. He spent every day playing with his dad, mom, and sister. He showered his dad with hugs, caresses and kisses whenever possible. But Lumin remained oblivious to the subtle changes in his father's behavior.
Lyren began to wake up before dawn to work and earn extra money for his family's future. He knew his time was limited, and he wanted to ensure his family had some savings when he was gone.
During the day, Lunaria put on a brave face, cooking, cleaning, and playing with the kids, as well as spending time with her husband.
However, during the cold silent night, when the house was silent, a soft cry could be heard while Lyren comforted her.
Lyren had to stay strong, not for him, but for his family.
After the months went by, Lyren's condition worsened.
He became clumsier, struggling to walk or perform easy tasks like chopping wood or cooking. He had to change jobs.
Lyren took a new role as a cleaner for some local shops at the village. However, his sudden mood swings and irritability made it difficult for him to interact with the customers, and he was relegated to cleaning after the shops were closed.
At home the situation was no different. Lyren's violent outbursts became more frequent, and Lunaria would often find herself clinging to him, trying to calm him down as he begged for forgiveness.
Throwing and punching objects or furniture and then begging for forgiveness in a lucid act became normal.
The kids locked themselves in their room, as the violent act of Lyren became peaceful.
Day by day the Lyren that was loved by his family was slowly dying.
One day, Lyren couldn't move or talk anymore, it was a process of various days, even months, but it finally happened.
With a loud dry sound, Lunaria fell to the ground on her knees but as Lumin and Selena saw their almost dead father, they cried as lowd and as hard as they could.
Both of them ran towards their mom and clinged to her with enough strength as to never let her go.
She knew she had to be strong to support her family, as strong as Lyren had been until his final days, so she didn't cry, she put on the best sweet and comforting facade she could.
"It's okay, I won't leave, your father neither… we're going to stay together"
The following days were peacefully sad. Lunaria got a job in the kitchen of a local tavern as a cook and worked every day, only spending time with the kids in the afternoon.
Lumin learnt how to cook since his mother wasn't at home and he needed to feed her sister.
Three weeks passed like that but something incredible happened.
The morning before Lumin's 7th birthday, Lyren stood up. Dropping everything they were doing, his family hugged him and cried.
"A miracle!"
Lunaria shout.
The scene was beautiful, all the family was crying from happiness while they smiled.
"Champ, tomorrow is your birthday, isn't it? I'll go this afternoon to the village to get your gift"
"Yay!"
The boy jumped around.
"Honey, are you sure you don't want to rest? After all that happened…"
"Don't worry Luna… I'm gonna be okay…"
That same afternoon Lyren took Lumin to the village.
"Lumim, you know that you're going to be the man of the house if something happens to me, right? You have to be strong, you have to support your sister and your mother, never let something bad happen to them or you"
Lumin smiled, his eyes shining with determination.
"Don't worry Dad! I'll be a great man of the house! Just like you"
Lyren smiled softly, feeling a sense of relief wash over him.
"Yeah… i know"
"But let's not talk about that for now dad, you're going to stay a lot more time with use, you have to teach me all you know! And today we have to buy my gift!"
He hugged Lumin tightly.
"Of course… I'm going to stay much more…"
"Stop dad… we're in public…"
Lumin blushed a little bit trying to push his dad a few centimeters.
"Hahahah! Okay! Let's go get your present"
Lyren let out a loud laugh as he picked the boy up to his shoulders and carried him.
The day was awesome, it was like the illness never happened, he had even more energy than before.
Just the same happy family.
Finally, everything was perfect. But the peace was short-lived.
Lumin lunched out of his bed and ran towards his parents room in his pajamas.
As he jumped on top of them, he knew something was off.
"Mh… Good morning sweetie, happy birthday, but don't jump on top of mommy and daddy"
His mother moved a little with discomfort. But as she looked into the face of her son she noticed his pale petrified look towards her husband.
She looked to her side, Lyrens eyes were closed, but that wasn't what put them off. His chest wasn't moving.
She quickly grabbed his hand, but it was cold, too cold.
Lyren was dead. He died peacefully in his sleep, with a smile on his face.
However, that wasn't the same for his family, they lost him, then got him again, and now… gone, on Lumin's birthday.