Hera's last

Evelyn stood with her arms around Ender. They looked happy, and I felt joy for them. But somewhere in myself I felt hollow, my father would never love me like that.

Notch watched this all silently. But I saw him watching Steve too. I started to scuffle away a bit, I didn't feel like I belonged in this scene of family reunion, my only real family was Hero. Steve must have seen me making my getaway because he cleared his throat.

"Father," he said, "it was Hera's efforts, with her brother Herobrine, who brought me back."

Notch sat bolt upright, "Herobrine...?"

"Yes Herobrine, my brother."

I was surprised deeply by Steve standing up for Herobrine.

Notch looked shocked, then he looked to me, "Herobrine helped bring him back?"

"He did," I said, "he did it to help me and Evelyn."

Notch nodded slightly, he was thinking.

I pressed on the matter though, "all this time you've been wrong about him. He brought you're son back. I think you owe him."

I could tell this made Notch uncomfortable. He had a questioning look on his face, but I cut him off before he could ask.

"He cares," I said strongly, "he cares about those he loves. All these years he's been a pariah, but he still cares to help people. He may not have been what you wanted as a son. BUT, you were wrong about him!"

Notch opened his mouth to respond but before he could he was cut off.

"DADDY!"

I turned and watched Katrina charge into the room. She was positively bouncing, she flung herself into Steve's arms who lifted her up and spun her around.

Alex and Jack followed and I watched their faces go slack. Steve put Katrina down gently and met Alex's eyes. Her face went red instantly.

"Steve? Is that really you?"

Even Ender and Evelyn had paused to watch.

Steve rushed toward Alex, there meeting was a crashing of two powerful forces, when they met they became one. He cradled Alex against him and rocked her back and forth as she started to sob.

"I thought I'd lost you." She said between cries.

I edged toward Evelyn and Ender to give the family some space. That's when we were found by Katrina.

"Auntie Hera! Auntie Evelyn! You brought daddy back!" He grabbed onto me hugging me tightly. "Thank you so so much! I missed him so much!"

Evelyn smiled at me lightly. That's when Katrina flung herself at Evelyn.

"You two are the most amazing people ever!" I blushed and so did Evelyn. Katrina let go of her and sprinted back to Steve, who was still clinging to Alex as if they were the only things in the world.

That's when I saw him. Jack was standing quietly to Evelyn's left. She must have sense him because she turned.

He spoke softly but I made out his words, "thank you. For bringing dad back. I'm sorry I was rude to you."

Before Evelyn could react he moved on to me.

"Thank you Aunt Hera." He gave me a light hug and then scampered back to his own parents.

"Guess he finally warmed up to me, eh?" Evelyn smiled.

That's when Ender cleared his throat, "I have to go work on tracking down Entity 0. They probably didn't get far, as long as their out causing trouble it's not really safe for anyone." He shifted awkwardly, "I'll be back tonight, then I think we should do some catching up." He smiled at Evelyn hopefully.

"Of course."

Ender walked out of the room.

That's when Katrina returned to us, "Auntie Hera, Auntie Evelyn I want to show you my room! Its super super cool!"

"Take Evelyn and show her my child," it was the first time Notch had spoken in a while. "I need to talk to Hera."

"Okay grandfather!" Katrina took Evelyn's hand, but before she could completely be dragged away I kissed her lightly.

Katrina didn't seem to notice.

"Have fun!" I gave Evelyn a tiny wave as she was towed away. Steve and Alex followed them with Jack. Now it was just Notch and I.

"So, Herobrine saved Steve?" He asked.

"Yes, he did."

Notch nodded, "the day I programmed you I was amazed by your possibilities. But over time I was disturbed by the magnitude of what I had achieved. I took it out on your brother, because I didn't know what to think. I now see I was wrong, I tried to avoid a fault, but instead I walked into one." He looked sad, and older then he ever had. I susposed he'd gone through losing not one but three children in a way, even if it was his own fault. "I was wrong to treat you two the way I did."

"Herobrine did have requests for you." I said this carefully, even though Notch's speech tugged at my heart I was pasted being dragged back into doing his work for him.

"What are they?"

"He wishes to be free from your trackers, all these years he's been wasting away in hiding. He wants freedom, once and for all."

Notch nodded, "I understand."

I hesitated before pressing on, "I want freedom too. I don't want to be your glitch hunter anymore, I want to settle down with the one I love. Will you let me go at last?"

The sadness on Notch's face deepened, "I'll be sorry to see you go, but I owe you this."

"Thank you," I said.

We stood in silence for a moment then when I realized what had to be said had already been spoken I turned to leave.

As I walked through the door I felt a rush of hope. My life was just beginning now, I was free at last.