Page 1 of Jace

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Susannah

Susannah Beck looked around without really seeing anything.

Her feet were on the ground again after the wild descent from the transport craft, and that was the only thing she seemed to be capable of taking in.

She had always been afraid of heights. If her friends hadn’t been there to drag her over the side, she would still be in that craft, likely being cattle prodded by the strange aliens piloting it.

My friends.

She forced her brain to take in what she was seeing, but it was too late. Both Eliza and Charlotte had already left, and she was alone on the field, her impractical purple gown still swirling around her in the wake of the departing craft above.

No, she wasn’t alone.

A giant of a man with pale green skin and white-blond hair approached her. He was muscle-bound, with worn leather breeches and nothing but straps of well-used leather armor barely covering his broad chest.

But her eyes were drawn to what he held against that chest. Something tiny and equally green.

“My baby,” she murmured.

Her feet finally awoke and without a thought, she was running, her fear forgotten. Nothing but delirious joy flooded her veins. This moment was finally happening.

She would jump out of a thousand spaceships to meet her child.

“Susannah Beck?” The man’s voice was so deep it was almost frightening.

“Yes,” she said, slowing her sprint to a trot. Maybe it wasn’t the best idea to run like she was planning to snatch the baby.

The man looked her up and down. There was no judgement in his pale blue eyes, at least none that she could discern.

She stopped when she reached him, and then let her eyes rest on the child again.

“Is this…?” she asked, trailing off as she gazed at the chubby cheeks and the wise brown eyes.

“This is your son,” the man said.

“My son,” she echoed in awe, putting her arms out for him.

For a moment, the big green warrior seemed to be clutching the babe closer to his own chest, then he relaxed and extended his arms to her.

“Here,” he said gruffly. “Careful of his head.”

“Hello, my love,” Susannah crooned, taking the baby quickly. There was something about seeing his tiny body hanging from the warrior’s hands that made her feel protective.

She made sure to support his head in the crook of her elbow.

The baby gazed up at her, his brow slightly furrowed, though he did not cry.

“I’m so proud to be your mama,” Susannah told him plainly, sensing that baby talk was not the way to communicate with this little man. “I can’t wait to get to know you.”

The little brow smoothed, and his dark eyes widened. He reached out his hand to bat at her cheeks.

She smiled down at him, his little face blurry now through her tears.

I can love you for all I’m worth.

I can love you with everything I have.

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