“I’ll make certain she’s here.” It was difficult keeping her out of her momma’s room. I often found Byx curled up next to her, Georgiana none the wiser as her body slept through the encounter.
“Thank you, Vander.”
There would never be a need for Georgiana to thank me. I’d told her that before and she’d reminded me of our first lesson. I’d stopped arguing fairly quickly.
Georgiana’s eyelids fluttered closed, and her hand went lax within mine. I remained where I was, holding those fragile fingers, Georgiana’s dark brown skin a stark contrast to my pale white. If it were possible, I would have moved heaven and earth to save her. But some things were beyond magic, or at least what magic allowed.
“Vander?” Byx’s soft voice interrupted my thoughts. “Can I come in?”
Roughly scrubbing my tear-stained cheeks, I motioned Byx in. “Sure.” I waved her inside. “Your momma’s sleeping again.”
Byx crawled up on the bed, snuggling up to Georgiana’s side. The sight tore my heart to shreds.
Clearing my throat, I managed to say, “Your momma wants to see you the next time she’s awake.”
Byx’s fingers carded through Georgiana’s hair, brushing it away from her face. “It’s almost time. Isn’t it?”
There was no point in lying. “I’m afraid so.”
Byx’s eyes slid closed, her tears joining my own. “What will happen when she’s gone? Who will I live with?”
I gazed at Georgina’s limp fingers before my eyes tracked to her serene face.Trust the magic. I swallowed hard and asked, “Would you like to stay with me?”
Byx’s head turned, her large brown eyes swimming in an ocean of saltwater. “You mean live with you? As in, you’d be my guardian?”
I nodded. “If you’d like.” Despite what Georgiana said, if Byx wasn’t comfortable with the idea, then I wouldn’t push it.
I shouldn’t have worried. Rocketing off the bed, Byx threw herself at me. Releasing Georgiana’s hand, I caught Byxup in my arms and squeezed her to my chest. “You mean it?” she asked, as if she was afraid to hope it was true.
“I mean it. It’s what your momma wants. It’s what I want too.”
Byx pushed away and I let her get a little distance so I could look into her eyes. “Momma’s smart. You need someone to take care of you.” Byx’s small chin jutted out. “You’re a mess without us.”
I hadn’t thought I’d be capable of laughing, and yet that’s exactly what I did. “No arguing that.”
Byx chewed on her bottom lip before giving a firm nod. “Okay then. I’ll stay with you.” Her head cocked to the side, and she asked, “I can still see Grandma Lilian. Right?”
“Anytime you want.”
My answer appeared to appease any of Byx’s misgivings. “Okay then. You’ve got yourself a deal.” She thrust out her hand, and I grasped it within mine. I was always careful not to squeeze too hard. Going up on her knees, Byx poked a finger into my chest. “But just so you know, if you screw up, I’ll zap you just like Momma. Don’t think I won’t.”
Laughter once more slipped through my lips. “I never had a doubt. Come here, kiddo.” Byx fell into my arms again, and I cradled her to my chest. Georgiana had trusted me with the most precious gift of all—her daughter. I would do everything in my power not to betray that trust. Maybe we weren’t related by blood, but Georgiana was right. Found family was just as good, if not more special, than blood relatives.
Byx was as much my daughter as she was Georgiana’s.
“Are we going to be okay?” Byx asked, her voice unusually soft.
I considered the question before finally answering, “Eventually.”
Byx was quiet for a moment before she said, “I hope so.”
Trust in the magic.“I know so.”
I held Byx as she fell asleep. Lying her beside Georgiana once more, I tucked them both in before rising and finding a nearby warlock sized chair. Stretching my long legs out, I rested my hands on my belly while staring at the black ring on my finger. Twisting it this way and that, I tilted my head back, my eyes slipping closed. I’d rest while I could while watching over Byx and Georgiana. I’d jealously guard what little time the three of us had together.
Before Byx and Georgiana found me, Time had felt never ending. But now…now there simply wasn’t enough.
Phil’s Gift
