19 Dream

" Jenny darling, how's the cake?" A sweet voice questioned bemusedly. She recognised that voice, her mother's voice! She quickly examined her surroundings to find the owner of the voice, her mother. Was the rebel army trying to make her relieve her memories again? Jenny felt irritation flare up as she thought of that possibility.

Jenny was quickly able to perceive the tall figure of her mother, leaning against a kitchen counter comfortably as she gazed fondly at a small black-haired child sitting on a kitchen stool, that was way too big for her. swaying her small feet. A hazel haired man was sitting snugly beside her with his arm around her waist to ensure the small child does not fall. Even with his back towards her, Jenny could tell that that man was her father. Jenny tried answering, but nothing came out.

"Of course she does pudding, we love anything you make. Isn't that right...Jenny!"The man chuckled with a rich baritone as he tickled the child, causing her to release cute tinkling laughter. Her mother joined in, making their combined laughter sound like a sweet orchestra.

Jenny stepped forward from where she was rooted stiff. They were talking to her, but she wasn't even there! She quickly strode towards the three who were still laughing merrily and reached for the child, but her hand went straight through the child. It felt like she was passing her hand through the mist... Jenny took a step back in shock.

She knew what this was. A reality where she couldn't manipulate anything. Couldn't say anything but could only observe. This was a dream! A dream which left a peaceful feeling within her. That means that that child was herself and this was a dream where she could only spectate. She was okay with that. Jenny took two more steps back.

As Jenny backed away, the scene continued as her mother moved from her position and came round the kitchen counter, lifting the small child, sitting where she was sitting and putting the child on her lap securely. She kissed the child's forehead.

"Don't listen to your father, if you don't like it just say," she said as she jokingly glared at her father," What our darling says, goes." She stated with playful seriousness.

Her husband chucked again," Yes, yes, but of course it needs to be within reason, we can't just spoil our beautiful blackberry kid as we give in to her every whim. Now can we?"He paused for a few seconds then continued in a soft tone with deep feeling in his words, "Though we will always love you, Jenny, we would even give you the world if needed."

Puffing her cheeks, the child pulled herself away from her mother, who had been hugging her tightly," But...daddy I won't get spoilt and I really love mummy's cake!" she exclaimed with childish aggravation and enthusiasm.

They both chuckled. Her mother's smile grew wide and she hugged the child even tighter," Thank you, darling." Her husband's smile broadened upon hearing his child's sweet words. He stood, then wrapped his arms around the two females and kissed both their foreheads lovingly," I love you both."

They remained in that position for a long time, relishing each other's warmth. Until the little girl wriggled out of her parents' warmth and spoke with enthusiasm, "What are we going to do today on your days off?"

The parents looked into each other's eyes as if communicating telepathically. However, before they could look down to answer their little girl she completely wriggled free of their grasp and attempted to get down by herself, but it was futile. Her constantly alert father, who was standing up, immediately manoeuvred in front of the females and grabbed hold of the child, placing her on his hip.

" Sorry." The child apologised with a guilty look in her eyes

" Naughty." He reprimanded lightly, as he tapped her nose affectionately causing the child to giggle. His wife chuckled at her child's antics and her husband's alertness for his child." Now, what should this general do to punish this insubordination?" He questioned jokingly as he looked into the emerald eyes of the child which were a photocopy of his own.

"Why do you bring up work at home?" His wife questioned happily.

"It's fun...Second general." He laughed out, putting emphasis on Second General, "So how should we deal with this insubordination?" He questioned again.

His wife giggled and spoke with mocking sincerity, "It's all up to you General."

"Hmm...I say a tickle monster attack is in order." He said as he walked to the sofa and threw his child onto the soft sofa cheerfully and immediately started tickling mercilessly as his wife watched on the sidelines. Dragging her in, he also started tickling her and before you knew it the room was filled with laughter.

After some time, he stopped and everyone had a smile on their face." Let's enjoy this day off some more!" He said merrily. With those words, the family enjoyed a wonderful day together; watching movies, playing, talking, cooking together, and many more, It was truly paradise.

The Jenny who was spectating was left with a warm feeling within her upon hearing her father's heartwarming and sincere words. She continued to watch happily as her family and the young version of herself shared warm chatter in the house. She never wanted to leave. She never wanted to leave this warm and cosy atmosphere. She never wanted to leave this pleasant feeling welling up within her.

She wanted this to be her reality. She wanted to stay in this dreamland paradise.

However, nothing lasts forever. Before she could be fully integrated into the sweetness of the dream, she felt her spectating body being shaken persistently. Her dream world paradise began to disappear like the morning mist in the sunlight. It was the end, the end of her paradise.

She opened her eyes reluctantly. She had entered reality once more. It was time to welcome her cruel reality and say goodbye to her dreamland paradise. Welcome to reality, Jenny!