Later that night, as we all lay in our oversized bed in our brand-new house, I couldn’t have been happier.
Well, I could have, but after the last few days, we were all exhausted.
As I gently drifted off to sleep, I felt grateful to all the Ancestors for the wonderful gifts they’d given me. I was filled with hope and excitement about our bright future, eager to see what wonderful things lie ahead.
Epilogue
ADELAIDE
“…one more push. That’s it…breathe.” Shannon said in a calming voice.
“I’m breathing!!” I growled. I knew I was being an asshole, but I found it hard to care in this moment.
Jesse wiped the sweat from my brow, “Come on, you can do this.”
“One more push, Angel, and our baby will be here.” John squeezed my hand.
I winced at being called angel but stayed silent. Both men had avoided that specific endearment since we’d lost Sly.
“One more push will do it.” Shannon said, “As soon as the next contraction hits, give it all you’ve got.”
I nodded. At this point, I barely had the energy to speak. It felt like I’d been in labor for days.
I felt another contraction building and bared down with all my strength. I felt an intense stretching, then a gush of fluids as my baby slipped from my body.
Then silence… No crying, nothing—just complete and total silence.
“Is something wrong with my baby?” I screamed, jerking frantically at the guy's hands, trying to see what held them in a thrall.
My desperation must have finally reached Shannon because she brought the baby to me and laid it on my chest. When I looked down, I saw what had stunned everyone into silence.
The baby, my precious daughter, was glowing. Different symbols were appearing all over her tiny body and then disappearing just as quickly. Before I could even process what was happening, a symbol that shocked us all appeared on her forehead.
A scepter, the top of the staff, bore a Nexus mark emblazoned on it—something not seen in decades—with the length encircled by a black rose.
“That’s the mark of Queen Lilibet!” Shannon gasped.
Everything Lee had told us had come true.
We watched in amazement as suddenly all the symbols faded, along with the glow that surrounded her. She looked like a normal baby, albeit a beautiful one.
I slowly raised my head and pierced Shannon with a look, “No one can know about this.”
She was quiet for a moment, then nodded her head.
“I’m sorry, but I need a little more than that.” I looked at John.
He glanced at Jesse, and they stepped up to Shannon.
Her face paled, “Please don’t hurt me, I swear I won’t tell anyone.”
“I know you won’t.” They dragged her to the head of the bed, and I adjusted my baby, so she lay on the opposite side. “But I’m afraid I can’t take the chance.”
Shannon tried to struggle, but it didn’t do her any good. I lay my free hand on her arm and closed my eyes.
My abilities had been weakening, especially this one, but the importance of this moment fueled my resolve. I felt my hand grow hot as I squeezed my eyes shut, sweat dotting my brow. After a moment, I noticed Shannon stop struggling.
“It’s done, my love.” John’s words brought instant relief. Our daughter would be safe. “She won’t be capable of saying anything now.”
