We scrambled, sleepy but somehow more alert than ever, to grab her up and brush off the excess eggshell and the stringy stuff that came from inside the egg. She was beautiful. I thought she looked like Ren, but Tritus insisted that she looked like me.
“Do Ren and I look that much alike?” I laughed as he put her in a diaper and swaddled her up nice and tight.
“You do. You all do or did or whatever. What about calling her Renmir? Do you think it sounds too masculine?” Tritus asked.
“You better retract that question before Roary hears it and comes to get you,” I teased him.
“Oh, shit. They would too,” Tritus said and bit his lip.
“I was giving you shit. I like that name. I think it fits her. I think Ren will like it too,” I said.
“I hope so. She’s one of the sweetest dragonesses I’ve ever met,” Tritus said, holding Baby Renmir close to his chest and settling in against me.
She was my second born and it seemed I was on a roll with daughters but if they were anything like Ren was growing up Iwas going to be an awesome girl dad. At least, I hoped they’d think I was awesome.
“I think you’re fucking awesome,” Tritus said, picking up my thoughts over our mating link and smiling like a fool now that he could listen in on me easily.
“Good. I think you’re fucking awesome,” I whispered in his ear. “I think we’re a fucking awesome family.”
“We are,” he nodded. “This long road was worth it.”
“I love you, mate,” I whispered and wrapped my arms around him and Baby Renmir.
“I love you too,” he said, leaning his head back against my shoulder.
I glanced at the painting above the nest. Ren and Zayton no longer haunted me. I remembered them both for who they were before chaos gobbled them up. Somehow, without ever meeting either of them in person, Tritus convinced them to unhaunt me.