Page 282 of Gift from the Source
“Grandma, meet my daddies.”
The two of us spin around and my men are all standing there, looking at us. I can barely let my gaze linger on the red rims in their eyes and theirbright smiles. The happiness and emotions I can’t even begin to explain that are rolling of them have me moving toward them with our daughter’s hand in mine.
This is one of the best days of my life.
“Mom, this is my Nexus. Corentin, Tillman, Caspian, and Draken.”
Her soft eyes fall on each of them and when she lifts her hands for a hug, Draken gets there first. “Hey, Momma Iris.”
She laughs lightly as the rest of my men move in for a group hug. “Hello, boys. Treating my baby girl right, I know.”
“Always,” they echo and I smile as they fall into easy conversation.
“Come on, Mommy. There’re so many people you have to meet.”
I chuckle a laugh that’s both tinged in amusement at her but sadness at the reality in her words. So many of our loved ones are here.
Tilly and Eryken stand side by side together as I’m led toward them.
Nerves spread throughout my body just like the first time I knew I was about to meet Aurora. I never thought I’d ever get the privilege of meeting any more mothers-in-law. Or fathers-in-law.
“This is grandma T and grandma E,” she says and the two of them scrunch their noses at her, making her laugh.
“It’s so nice to meet you both.”
They move in on me at once, wrapping me in their arms. The collective strength pouring from the two of them fills my heart to the brim. I’ve really been so blessed to have the most amazing women in my life.
“Thank you, Willow, for all you’ve done for Tillme,” Tilly whispers in my ear and I close my eyes.
“There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for him.”
She cups my cheek when she pulls back from me and I fall into her stunning eyes that match his. There’s so much balance and strength in her depths, I feel like I could move a mountain.
“Thank you for loving Draken the way he deserves, has always deserved, to be loved.”
“He’s so easy to love.”
“And take careof him for me, please.”
When Eryken pulls away, the guilt in her features guts me. The him she’s referring to isn’t just Draken.
“I promise I will.”
She steps away with a grateful nod and Tilly’s Nexus moves in. Each of the men welcome me as warmly as my other Patera-Nexus did and my heart’s so full I’m afraid it may burst.
For a fleeting second, I’m surrounded by family that have long since left us back in our realm. The outpour of love and support is overwhelming and it both breaks my heart and makes it whole to have been able to experience this.
I watch the way the guys cut up with CC, Tillman’s dads, my fathers. My mom, Tilly, and Eryken dote on my daughter like she’s the most precious thing they’ve ever seen.
This is magic.
“Time to go,Ultima unum.”
I sigh as I continue to watch my family. “We just got here.”
“It’s not where you’re meant to be.”
I know.
