Chapter 68. Her Past

Benson’s POV

Katherine Lightwood hadn't aged a second. Her lips are pulled up, giving me an animated and happy smile. Her long, thin arms are open to receive me, and by instinct, I go straight into them. My mother's embrace has always been a welcoming, perfect place.

"Mother, I..." the sentence dies on my lips, just holding onto her with more strength around my arms. Once again, I hear footsteps coming from inside the forest. When I raise my eyes, a shock runs through my entire body. "Father?"

Nick Doorson, my father, emerges from between the trees. Like my mother, there has been no aging in his face. He approaches me and my mother; I break free from the hug and face them both. My parents hold hands and smile at each other; I notice a rooted love in them.

"I... I thought I would never see you again," I confess with a choked voice, tears trapped in my eyes.

My father approaches me and touches my shoulder, his grip