Steal the Night (Thieves #5)(162)

Jude’s blue eyes were sympathetic. “That’s up to you, Zoey. The vampire blood will work on the fetus that was slightly injured, but there could be implications for the future.”

“What?” I heard the panic in my voice.

“I can’t tell you the specifics,” he said. “You either accept the child or you don’t.”

There was no hesitation in me. “I’ll take him.” I didn’t care if he had struggles. I would be there and so would Danny and Dev. We would help him. We would get through it as a family.

“He might be a handful,” Felicity said thoughtfully. “That one is a recycled soul. They come with some baggage, but I doubt you’ll mind. He was very insistent on having you as his mother. If you go back, your path will be set and so will your sons’ paths.”

Oliver gestured to the kitchen. “Perhaps you should talk to someone who’s been here before you make your decision.”

“Hello, darlin’,” a low voice said.

My eyes filled with happy tears. “Lee!” I rushed to my wolf and threw my arms around him. I kissed his cheek, so overjoyed to know he was here. “I am so…”

“Don’t,” he growled. He pushed me back so I could see his stubborn face. “Don’t you say you’re sorry. I did what I did to save you. I wouldn’t take it back for the world. My little pack is fine and that’s all I could have hoped for.”

I ran my hands across his face, assuring myself he was here and he was real. His skin was rough against my hand. He didn’t bother to shave even in Heaven. His wardrobe hadn’t improved either. He was still in jeans and a slightly rumpled T-shirt. I found it wholly endearing. “So how is Heaven treating you?”

He chuckled, his chest moving with his laughter. “The beer’s pretty good and boy do they know how to make a burger. It’s a nice place, but I think you won’t be staying, will you?”

My heart ached at the thought of leaving him again, but I had other obligations, including those babies of mine. “No, I have to go back.”

He grinned. The smile on his face was freer than any emotion I’d seen on him before. He looked young and carefree. That piece of Lee that always seemed to be somewhere else was gone now. He was here, completely, and happy to be. The Heaven plane had done wonders for my wolf. “We were kind of hoping you would say that.”

Now I realized Lee wasn’t the only newcomer. There was another man standing in the doorway of the kitchen, and I would have guessed from the pushed back chairs that they had been sitting at the table together. There was a deck of playing cards on the countertop.

“I’ve been trying to teach him how to play Hold’em,” Lee said with a shake of his head. He glanced back at the other male with great affection. “He’s complete crap. He can’t bluff to save his life.”

I stared at the young man, who appeared to be seventeen or so. His lanky body had yet to fill out. He had gorgeous silky black hair and emerald green eyes. The expression on his face was so sweet as he watched me.

He was the spitting image of my husband.

“Is that—?” I couldn’t quite finish the question because I was pretty sure who he was.

Lee smiled and this time his eyes were watery. “He’s your son. He isn’t allowed to talk to you, but he wants to. He’s brand new so I’ve spent my time here filling him in. I’ve told him all about you and Daniel and Dev. The angels are only letting me talk to you because they want you to make an informed decision. It could get rough in a couple of years. You’ve earned your peace, Zoey. If you want to rest, we’ll understand.”

I shook my head as I stared at the dark-haired boy and memorized every inch of that face I wouldn’t see again until he was grown. I felt a deep connection open between us and I hoped he felt my love for him. He was my son, the boy I’d lost and mourned and never stopped hoping for. “I don’t want to rest. I want all of it. I want the good and crappy and everything in between. I want my life. If it gets rough, then I’ll have to be tough, won’t I?”

Lee hugged me again. “You are. You’ll get through all of it. We’ll get through all of it.” He said that last bit with an emphasis on the “we.”

I pulled back as the implications hit me. I was having twins. I had two boys. “Recycled soul?”

Lee’s face lit up. “I was given a choice, too. I know where I want to be. I would promise to be a very good kid, but we both know that would be a lie. I’ll probably be hell on wheels.”

My hands shook and I held him so tightly, I thought I might never let go, and I was gloriously happy that I wouldn’t have to. He would be mine again, but this time I would be the one to protect him. He would get everything I had.

“Zoey,” Oliver said solemnly from behind me. “Time to make your decision.”

I kissed Lee’s cheek again and thought about the fact that the next time I kissed him would be about eight months from now. I waved at the man who would be with him when the time came. His grin looked so much like his dad’s my heart seized. He was going to break some hearts that one.

“I’m ready to go back,” I announced.

“I knew you would.” Oliver put his hands on my shoulders and his blue eyes were solemn. “It is an honor to watch over you, Zoey. I know I can be a jerk sometimes but know that I’ll continue to do my best to keep you safe. Just remember, whatever happens, you’re never alone.”