Page 28 of The Witching Hour

We were just dozing off a little while later when I heard her in my head.

I know what I want for my birthday.

EPILOGUE

CELESTE

Ren’s parents, brothers, and cousins had taught me so much about what it meant to be family. But I still felt as though I had so much to learn as I stared down into my son’s little face.

Rusten’s bright blue eyes—so much like his father’s—blinked up at me. His cheeks were plump, and his plush lips were puckered into a perfect bow. My hand trembled as I stroked my fingers through the tufts of his dark hair.

“Can you believe how perfect he is?” I whispered.

Ren cuddled closer against my side. “Yes, but only because he’s yours.”

I snorted. “Yet he looks like your perfect little replica.”

“There’s no denying that the Bancroft genes held true with our little one,” he agreed, tracing his finger over Rusten’s cheek. “But the shape of his eyes, nose, and lips are all yours.”

“Do you think so?” I asked, peering more closely at our son.

I loved how much he looked like Ren, but seeing some parts of myself reflected in him settled a need deep inside that I hadn’t even known was there. My relationship with my parents still wasn’t all that great, but holding this infant who was the perfectcombination of my husband and me, I knew that I would do literally anything to ensure his happiness.

Now that I was experiencing the power of a mother’s love firsthand, I finally understood that my parents’ issues were their own. Not mine.

My mother’s inability to put my happiness first was on her. My dad’s choice to follow her lead for most of my life was his mistake.

Rusten’s needs came first. His well-being was my priority. There was nothing my son could ever do that would change that.

My only hope was that my mom and dad took their role as grandparents more seriously than they had as parents. Assuming Ren ever let them close enough to build a relationship with him.

Tilting my head back to look up at him, I asked, “Did you call my parents?”

Talulla and Basil had stuck close throughout my labor and delivery, lending us strength when we were most vulnerable. I hadn’t wanted my mom or dad there—I didn’t trust them enough for that—but with Rusten safely here, I felt a sudden urge to introduce my parents to my son.

“No.” His blue gaze was concerned as he scanned my face. “Do you want me to?”

Heaving a deep sigh, I considered my answer. There had been times during my pregnancy when I had wanted to call my mother to ask for advice, but I’d never followed through with the impulse. My reasons for keeping my distance were valid even though she and my dad had extended a few olive branches since the day they’d stood with my former coven against me.

My dad’s call had given us the time we needed to be prepared for the confrontation, so I had been able to extend him some grace. And since then, he’d called to check on me a few times. Especially after we told them I was pregnant.

My mother was a different story. Every time I heard from her, it seemed as though she was only doing it to please my father. Even though she hadn’t used the full extent of her powers against us during the battle, she also hadn’t really tried to help me. And I hadn’t really been able to forgive her for that yet.

Sensing my internal struggle, Ren cuddled me closer against his side and brushed a kiss across my temple. “There is no right or wrong answer, love. I will support whichever choice you make.”

I trusted Ren implicitly. I had no doubt that he would always have my back and would do anything to protect Rusten and me. I didn’t think that my parents posed a risk to us any longer, but I still didn’t feel safe with them. None of that stopped me from wanting them here on one of the most important days of my life, though.

Maybe I was just feeling sentimental because I was holding my son for the first time. But whatever the reason, I replied, “Yes, please call them.”

“Okay, my love.” He gave me a quick kiss before getting to his feet.

I snuggled Rusten against my chest while I watched Ren pad to the other side of our bedroom. One of the many benefits of becoming a daywalker was how quickly I had recovered from labor and delivery. It also didn’t hurt that Dr. Wright was willing to make house calls so I was able to give birth at home, much to Ren’s chagrin.

The medical equipment he’d insisted on having here in case anything went wrong was cleared out by the time my parents arrived half an hour after he called them.

My dad’s eyes filled with tears as soon as he spotted his grandson in my arms. “Oh my goddess, he’s beautiful.”

My mother didn’t cry, but her expression softened, and she interlaced her fingers with my dad’s. “He really is.”

Their gazes remained on Rusten as they approached the bed. When they stood only inches from me, my mother asked, “Can I hold him?”

My arms tightened around the precious bundle in them, and I realized I hadn’t entirely thought this through. Luckily, Ren quickly came up with an explanation that broke the tension. “Don’t take offense. She hasn’t even let me take him from her yet.”

It was true, but only because he’d gotten to hold our son first while Dr. Wright took care of me. Now, it was my turn.

“Thank you for calling us,” my dad whispered, his lips curving into a tremulous smile. “Being able to see our grandson so soon means the world.”

Although they didn’t hold Rusten that day, asking them to come was the first step to rebuilding our relationship. One that grew from them being better grandparents than parents.

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