The Chen household had taken on an air of quiet desperation. Jenn and Michael moved through their daily routines with forced normalcy, their smiles not quite reaching their eyes. They had made their decision, but the weight of it hung heavy in the air.

One evening, after Alex had gone to bed, Mik overheard their parents talking in hushed tones.

"We can't tell Alex," Jenn was saying. "His heart... he doesn't need the stress."

Michael nodded, his face etched with worry. "We'll keep everything as normal as possible. He never needs to know this was anything but a formality."

Mik's chest tightened. They were keeping this enormous secret from Alex, and now Mik had to as well.

The next day, Mik watched as their parents filled out paperwork at the kitchen table. There was no lawyer present; this was as amicable as a divorce could be.

"I need to put a different address," Jenn murmured, pen hovering over the form. After a moment's hesitation, she wrote down Shae's address.

Mik felt a wave of nausea. This was really happening. Their family was fracturing, all to save Alex.

At school, Mik moved through the day in a daze. Jasmine noticed their distraction during lunch.

"Hey, you okay?" she asked, concern evident in her voice.

Mik opened their mouth, the truth on the tip of their tongue. But the words wouldn't come. How could they explain this to anyone? Instead, they forced a smile. "Yeah, just tired. Alex had a rough night."

It wasn't entirely a lie, but the weight of the unspoken truth sat heavy in Mik's stomach.

That night, unable to sleep, Mik logged onto their computer, relief washing over them when they saw Cayde was online.

StarGazer101: Cayde, I need to talk. Everything's falling apart.

CelestialObserver: I'm here, Mik. What's going on?

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Mik poured out everything - the impending divorce, Shae's offer, the secrecy surrounding Alex. As they typed, tears blurred their vision.

CelestialObserver: Oh, Mik. I'm so sorry you're carrying all this. It must be incredibly difficult.

StarGazer101: I don't know what to do, Cayde. How can I pretend everything's normal when it's all falling apart?

CelestialObserver: Mik, listen to me. I know things seem hopeless right now, but I want you to hold onto hope. You might not have to pretend for long.

StarGazer101: What do you mean?

CelestialObserver: I have a strong feeling that things are about to change. Your parents might not have to go through with the divorce. Miracles are possible, Mik.

Mik stared at the screen, a mix of confusion and hope stirring in their chest.

StarGazer101: Cayde, you sound so certain. How can you know this?

CelestialObserver: Let's just say I have a good intuition about these things. Trust me, Mik. Keep your eyes on the sky. Something extraordinary is about to happen.

StarGazer101: What do you mean? Another one of those shimmering circles?

CelestialObserver: Something even more incredible. Mik, I want you to do something for me. Tomorrow night, at exactly 9:47 PM, go outside and look up at the sky. Make sure Alex is with you if he's feeling up to it.

Mik's heart raced with a mixture of excitement and apprehension.

StarGazer101: Cayde, you're being mysterious again. What's going to happen?

CelestialObserver: I can't say more, but trust me. It's something you won't want to miss. And Mik? After tomorrow night, I have a feeling things will start to change for the better.

As Mik signed off, their mind whirled with possibilities. What could Cayde know about? And how could they be so sure it would help?

The next morning, Mik woke early, anticipation for the evening making it hard to sleep. They peeked into Alex's room, finding their brother still pale and tired, but awake.

"Hey, squirt," Mik said softly. "How are you feeling?"

Alex managed a weak smile. "Okay, I guess. Just tired."

Mik hesitated, then said, "Listen, I was wondering... do you think you'd be up for a little stargazing tonight? Around 9:45?"

Alex's eyes lit up slightly. "Really? You'd stay up late with me?"

Mik nodded, feeling a surge of protective love for their brother. "Yeah, I thought it might be fun. We can bundle up and sit on the porch for a bit. If you're feeling up to it, that is."

"I'd like that," Alex said, his voice stronger than it had been in days.

As Mik went about their day, they couldn't shake the feeling that something monumental was on the horizon. Whatever Cayde had hinted at, Mik hoped with all their heart that it would bring the miracle their family so desperately needed.