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“Yes, she should, and we should all let her sleep,” Eula said.

“You don’t have to go,” Vivian said.

“But we do, dear. You need to rest. I’ll go get some rest myself. I was here all night,” Eula said. “Will you be taking some time to rest, or will you be returning to work, Mirilla?”

“I’ve far too much to do to rest. I’ll be going right back to work,” Mirilla said.

“I’ll be returning to my office attending to all I’ve ignored last night and this morning,” Zha Tahl said, standing and looking for someone to hand the baby off to.

“Samuel?” Vivian said.

Samuel smiled and eagerly took Zha Tahl’s place. Zha Tahl handed the baby to Samuel and stood back to admire the sight of Samuel holding Vivian’s child. “It is a miracle that he’s here at all,” Zha Tahl said, thinking of all Vivian had to survive to be able to conceive him.

“It truly is,” Samuel said. He looked down into the baby’s eyes. “Alexandrus. What a perfect name for a perfect child.”

Alexandrus looked at the man holding him, and rather than growl at him, he reached out an unsteady arm, trying to touch him.

“Hello, little man,” Samuel said. Falling into the baby talk that most adults adopt when speaking to a baby.

“They are proud, Vivian,” Bart said, reaching out to extend his finger to see if Alexandrus would grip it as most babies would.

Vivian looked at Bart, her own lips pressed together, trying to hold back tears as she watched Samuel holding her child, wondering what her uncles would have thought about him. “Do you think so?”

“Without a doubt,” Bart said firmly. “We are all proud of Alexandrus, and of you.”

“We are all blessed with you,” Samuel said, lifting the baby to press a kiss to his forehead.

Alexandrus grabbed a handful of Samuel’s silver and dark gray curls, causing Samuel to laugh.

“A little help,” Samuel said, laughing, unable to lower the baby back to a comfortable position since he’d latched on to the hair he held.

Quin very gently released Alexandrus’ fingers from the hold they had on Samuel’s hair, then took the baby in his arms. “There, you are free,” Quin said to Samuel while grinning at his son.

“We’re going to find a way to busy ourselves, as well,” Samuel said. “We’ll be back to visit this afternoon.”

“If you need anything, Vivi and Quin, just send for us,” Bart said.

“Feel free to send for me as well, Sirena. I’ll be on duty for the rest of the day,” Mirilla said.

“Thank you all, but I’m sure I’ll be fine. Quin will be here, and Au'revele as well,” Vivian said. “Go! Go enjoy yourselves, go about your day. We’ll be fine. If you see Kitty, tell him to go home at least.”

“He’s not been underfoot much,” Eula said.

“He’s loving roaming around outside. He’s never had the chance to do so,” Vivian said.

“I’m sure he’ll show up when he gets hungry,” Quin said.

“Oh, yes,” Vivian agreed yawning again.

“We’ll see you later,” Bart said, maneuvering around everyone to kiss Vivian’s forehead, with Samuel right behind him. “We’ll be back this afternoon, Vivian.”

Vivian smiled up at Bart. “I should be back home in a day or two. Until then come visit as much as you like.”

“We will. I’ll see you soon,” Bart promised. He and Samuel left without Bart casting so much as a glance in Mirilla’s direction.

Eula and Zha Tahl both kissed her and took their leave as well, with Mirilla in tow.

Au'revele sat down in the chair closest to Vivian, watching Quin with his son.

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