“Thank you,” I mouthed.
“Vada, Micah’s grandfather is called grandpappy. What do you think of grandpa for me instead of grandad?”
“Grandpa Doc?” she asked.
My father smiled triumphantly, completely smitten by her.
He held out his hands and she accepted the offer to return to him.
“Grandpa Doc it is.”
“Mallick? Who’s at the door?”
“Come on,” I said, placing a hand on Lucy’s lower back and ushering her forward.
“Mom,” I said, as she looked up at the sound of my voice.
Tears started to fill her eyes as she stood there in the kitchen wearing her apron and baking, with a little flour on her left cheek.
“I’ve heard the rumors, you know? I just didn’t want to get my hopes up.”
I smiled proudly. “Mom, this is Lucy, my mate. My true mate,” I clarified.
She came around the kitchen island and pulled Lucy from me as the two women embraced.
“I’ve been praying for you for so long. Let me look at you. Micah, she’s gorgeous,” she gushed, not telling me anything I didn’t already know.
“Yes, she is.”
Lucy was blushing furiously.
Mom sniffed her and then frowned.
“What’s the hold up? Why haven’t you sealed your bond already?”
I chuckled. “Trust me, I’m trying. Vada had other plans.”
“Vada? What’s Vada got to do with anything? Wait, she didn’t go into labor this early, did she?” Mom asked.
“Oh, no. Sorry. I didn’t mean to worry you. That Vada is just fine.”
“Vada’s my daughter,” Lucy said.
Mom turned big watery eyes up to me and I nodded.
“You’re bringing me home a daughter and a grandpup to love?”
“I am. She’s in the living room wrapping Dad around her little finger.”
Mom started to leave.
“Wait,” Lucy said.
Mom stopped and looked back with concern.
Lucy squared her shoulders and jutted out her chin in defiance.
“Vada wasn’t conceived like a normal child. I was held in captivity at one of the Raglan facilities when they impregnated me with her. She was created in a lab, and I don’t know what that means for her future.”