I take a deep breath and nod his way. “I understand.” He rises to leave and I pull him back by the hand. “Logan and I are getting married Decemberthirteenth. You’re all welcome to be there.”
The entire lot of them break out into another congratulatory round.
My father leans in and blesses my cheek with a kiss, with a sweetness only a father can provide.
“A pack of wild Candace Messengers couldn’t keep me away.” He gives a little wink, and the room breaks out into a warm round of laughter.
Then, one by one, they leave, first Judy and Jackson, then my father.
But Candace Messenger, she stays. My mother shines in all her celestial brilliance, dressed in a white robe that shines like light from head to toe. Her hair sparkles with each strand lit up like a fiber optic. She is my mirror image. Her body is svelte the way mine once was and hopefully will be again.
“Skyla, Logan, I’m so proud of you both. Hand me the babe,” she says, taking him from me. He’s fast asleep with his button nose, that same peachy newborn glow Nathan and Barron had that I loved so much.
“So, where is she?” I flatline. “Angel? I’m thankful for my son, but you know we were expecting her.”
“And she will arrive.” She brushes her lashes over his cheek, and he coos as if he were laughing in his sleep.
Logan gives my hand a squeeze. “And when she does, she’ll have a big brother to watch over her—three of them.”
My mother chortles softly. “She will. You couldn’t have her now. Not like this, out of wedlock. No, she comes at the proper time, in the proper way—under the proper covenant. This is your reunification child, the bastard you bore with love.”
“Geez,” I groan, struggling to sit up farther. “Logan, hand me my son and get rid of her, would you?”
Her eyes flash my way. “You don’t like the truth?”
“I don’t like the term. You are forbidden from ever calling my son that again. And to be honest, I’m shocked you had the balls to do it. Jaxson belongs to Logan and me. We made him. He is our love personified. He is us. Logan is the soul you paired with mine. How could you look at his offspring and speak that wretched word over him on this, the day of his birth?”
“Skyla,” Logan whispers while shaking his head.Don’t get worked up. It’s not worth it.
Candace nods. “He is correct, as am I. If the term offends you so ripely, I won’t use it again. The truth is, you were consumed with passion. Your hearts were already committed to love one another far before that night. I’m not a legalist, Skyla. But marriage isn’t just a piece of paper. The two of you will seek the Lord’s blessing once again. I’ll be at the wedding.” Her lips curve as she rocks the baby in her arms. “Will Celestra be restored to its rightful place by then?”
“They must,” I say. Truthfully, there is no other answer.
She presses a kiss over Jaxson’s precious cheek. “You are blessed. You are whole, wanted, loved, prosperous in all you do, say, see, or touch. You will live a wonderful life, with wonderful siblings, with wonderful parents. You are a king, my love. A king among men.”
A king.
I take a quivering breath of relief.
Everyone else prayed a future over our sweet Jaxson, but my mother called things out as if they already were. And seeing that she is the mapmaker of destinies, he is exactly those things she suggested.
She hands Logan his son and presses a kiss to Logan’s lips as her hands hold his cheeks hostage. Figures. She makes her way to me, her eyes glowing with a constellation of stars buried in each one.
“You and Logan were destined for this moment and many more to come. You have no idea the lion you have birthed. His brothers shall serve him—if they are wise.”
My heart wrenches for Nathan and Barron. I love them just as much as I do Jaxson. And I hate the thought of dissention among them.
She blesses my forehead with a kiss, and then ever so slowly she dissolves in a brilliant ball of light.
The room dims without her presence, the candles still flickering around the room in a quiet rhythm that is so very peaceful, so full of joy.
A gentle knock erupts at the door and Logan and I exchange a look. I know what he’s thinking. Could it be Gage? The old version? The one we still crave like iron for our anemic souls.
“Come in,” Logan calls out just loud enough and the door cracks open and in walks Laken.
“I’m so sorry to interrupt.” Her face is pale, and she’s shivering despite the thick sweater wrapped around her. “Logan, I need to speak with Skyla. It will just take a moment.”
“Take two moments.” Logan blesses my lips with a kiss as he lands the baby back in my arms. “I’ve got some phone calls to make.” He heads out of the room, and Laken swoops by my side.
