Page 168 of Bloom
Aleric didn’t have any clothes on, his hair was damp with sweat, and he probably looked haggard after being up for so long.
Rico suckled with one tiny fist resting on Aleric’s chest, and Jaime stared, seeming to be unable to tear himself away just yet. Rico’s eyes were partially closed. His entrance into the realm had likely been tiring for him too, and Aleric almost couldn’t believe he too had once been so small with Mother holding him to her breast.
“He’s beautiful,” whispered Jaime, echoing Aleric’s thoughts.
“He is.” Aleric brushed back a strand of Rico’s thin, white hair.
“Just like you.”
Aleric didn’t feel handsome at the moment, but Jaime was looking at him like he was a treasure. They’d come quite a way since nine months ago. Back then, he wouldn’t have imagined Jaime helping him through birth, that they’d have a child together in the first place, or accepting a gentle kiss on the lips.
“Go tell Father. He’s probably fidgeting with nerves out there and wondering why it’s so quiet.”
As soon as Jaime slipped into the sitting room, Aleric heard his announcement before the bedroom door clicked shut.
“We have a son!”
