looked toward the sliding kitchen door where they'd entered the house. "He's growing so fast," I said to Liam. "Last year I was worried because he wasn't growing normally. Now I'm relieved that he's well, but it bothers me that he's also more independent. How long before he doesn't need me?"
"He'll always need you. I still ask advice of my mother and look forward to the time that I spend with her. Charlie will feel the same." Liam reassured me.
I smiled at his kindness. "Thank you. I guess I needed to hear that. What about his being able to heal so young? Is it dangerous for him?"
He gave a very human shrug. "When you and I heal, we send our magic to repair the injury or act as a tonic. We don't take the pain into our own bodies."
"He said he swallowed it."
"Ingesting the pain into himself where it dissolved and, I believe, fueled his own magic, is very much the demon approach."
"Then his body must be learning how to deal with his bloodlines in combination. The healer and demon are working together. That's probably a good thing, right?"
Liam nodded. "In this instance I have to agree. We'll watch his aura carefully. A compassionate nature can be a disadvantage during wartime. If he takes the pain from someone who is grievously injured, he may not be able to cope."
"He's five years old." I put my hands on my hips and glared at him. "Compassion is a trait I'd never discourage. Let him keep his sweet innocence for as long as he can."
Liam scrutinized me for a moment before speaking. "Will you tell him about his father soon?"
"Garrett is his father." Liam knew better than to continue on this particular subject when I was in stubborn-mode, so he simply shook his head and kept his mouth shut, the two of us agreeing to disagree.
I helped Liam pick up the scraps of paper and ribbon strewn around the patio by the light breeze. Charlie had been so thrilled when he'd opened the package, I wished I'd thought to bring my phone so I could have captured his expression with a photo.
Reaching for the same shredded piece of wrapping paper before it blew away, my gaze locked for a moment with Liam's, bringing forth a smile, relief etched across both of our faces. Witnessing the little guy run off without a care in the world had put our disagreement in perspective.
It had been a difficult and sometimes frightening few years and we'd all had moments when we were convinced that Charlie wouldn't be waking up the next morning. The sun warming my face, I took in a deep breath of wildflower scented air and grinned at my friend. On this perfect September morning, Charlie was a healthy five year old, about to enjoy his first real birthday party. This was going to be a good year for our family.
CHAPTER TWO
After my shower, I joined Liam and Kyle for a light breakfast, the two boys and Farrell having already eaten. Liam had made scrambled eggs and toast and had also put out fresh fruit and OJ, along with coffee.
Kyle poured juice for us as I looked him over. He hadn't bothered to comb his hair, which was still sticking up crazily from Jay's mishandling, a state he would have rectified immediately in the days before Jason came into his life. He was dressed in jeans and a black button down shirt, conservative apparel as far as he was concerned. The tats and piercings were still in place, but there was a calmness about him that didn't exist five years ago. "You've turned into a great Dad. Are you under some sorcerer's spell?" I teased.
"Peter's a natural. I have to work hard at it, but Jay's worth every minute." His dark eyes glittered as we smiled at each other. "Now that your boy's healthy, you're gonna need to be on your toes every minute with that one." He pointed toward Charlie's room. "It's hard enough raising a normal shifter kid, but yours has serious mojo."
"We have plenty of help." I looked at Liam, who smiled back at me before taking a bite of his toast.
While I poured myself a cup of coffee, Kyle swallowed a mouthful of eggs
"He'll always need you. I still ask advice of my mother and look forward to the time that I spend with her. Charlie will feel the same." Liam reassured me.
I smiled at his kindness. "Thank you. I guess I needed to hear that. What about his being able to heal so young? Is it dangerous for him?"
He gave a very human shrug. "When you and I heal, we send our magic to repair the injury or act as a tonic. We don't take the pain into our own bodies."
"He said he swallowed it."
"Ingesting the pain into himself where it dissolved and, I believe, fueled his own magic, is very much the demon approach."
"Then his body must be learning how to deal with his bloodlines in combination. The healer and demon are working together. That's probably a good thing, right?"
Liam nodded. "In this instance I have to agree. We'll watch his aura carefully. A compassionate nature can be a disadvantage during wartime. If he takes the pain from someone who is grievously injured, he may not be able to cope."
"He's five years old." I put my hands on my hips and glared at him. "Compassion is a trait I'd never discourage. Let him keep his sweet innocence for as long as he can."
Liam scrutinized me for a moment before speaking. "Will you tell him about his father soon?"
"Garrett is his father." Liam knew better than to continue on this particular subject when I was in stubborn-mode, so he simply shook his head and kept his mouth shut, the two of us agreeing to disagree.
I helped Liam pick up the scraps of paper and ribbon strewn around the patio by the light breeze. Charlie had been so thrilled when he'd opened the package, I wished I'd thought to bring my phone so I could have captured his expression with a photo.
Reaching for the same shredded piece of wrapping paper before it blew away, my gaze locked for a moment with Liam's, bringing forth a smile, relief etched across both of our faces. Witnessing the little guy run off without a care in the world had put our disagreement in perspective.
It had been a difficult and sometimes frightening few years and we'd all had moments when we were convinced that Charlie wouldn't be waking up the next morning. The sun warming my face, I took in a deep breath of wildflower scented air and grinned at my friend. On this perfect September morning, Charlie was a healthy five year old, about to enjoy his first real birthday party. This was going to be a good year for our family.
CHAPTER TWO
After my shower, I joined Liam and Kyle for a light breakfast, the two boys and Farrell having already eaten. Liam had made scrambled eggs and toast and had also put out fresh fruit and OJ, along with coffee.
Kyle poured juice for us as I looked him over. He hadn't bothered to comb his hair, which was still sticking up crazily from Jay's mishandling, a state he would have rectified immediately in the days before Jason came into his life. He was dressed in jeans and a black button down shirt, conservative apparel as far as he was concerned. The tats and piercings were still in place, but there was a calmness about him that didn't exist five years ago. "You've turned into a great Dad. Are you under some sorcerer's spell?" I teased.
"Peter's a natural. I have to work hard at it, but Jay's worth every minute." His dark eyes glittered as we smiled at each other. "Now that your boy's healthy, you're gonna need to be on your toes every minute with that one." He pointed toward Charlie's room. "It's hard enough raising a normal shifter kid, but yours has serious mojo."
"We have plenty of help." I looked at Liam, who smiled back at me before taking a bite of his toast.
While I poured myself a cup of coffee, Kyle swallowed a mouthful of eggs
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