Pia Saves the Day (Elder Races #6.6)(31)

“Deal with what?” Dragos demanded.

His sharp hearing caught the sound of approaching vehicles, so without waiting to hear a reply, he strode through the house, Pia close on his heels.

Two SUVs pulled to a stop, containing Eva and Hugh, and five tall, strong-looking people, all of whom Dragos knew immediately.

Aryal and Quentin. Bayne, Constantine, and Alex.

All his sentinels, except for Grym, who had drawn the short straw and stayed in the city.

Pushing past him, Pia ran down the steps toward the SUV that carried Eva and Hugh. Belatedly, Dragos realized that what he had taken for a space in the backseat was actually filled with a car seat.

Of course it was.

Eva leaped out of the passenger seat, one hand held out toward Pia. “He’s all right, it’s all right. Aw, shit, there’s no way to make this easier.”

“What the hell?” Pia exclaimed at her angrily. She pushed past Eva and yanked open the rear door to look inside.

Silence fell over the group, as they stood watching, all except for Dragos, who strode rapidly toward the SUV. His stomach clenched as Pia whispered, “Oh, my God.”

She reached into the backseat and lifted out a smiling, tow-headed boy.

A big, beautiful boy. A much bigger boy than the toddler Dragos remembered. He was no expert on children, but Liam looked to be twice as big, maybe four years old.

“What the f**k?” he whispered.

Pia sank to her knees, hugging Liam tight, and the boy threw his arms around her neck. “What did I miss?” she cried. “What did I miss?”

“I missed you,” Liam told her. “Bunches and bunches. Hi, Mom.”

The boy talked.

Reaching their side, Dragos sank to his knees beside them.

“Look at you,” Pia breathed. She ran her hands compulsively over Liam. “How did this happen?”

Liam beamed. “I’m being a big soldier.”

Her eyes went wide, and she looked as if she’d been punched.

The boy cocked his head, and his smile started to dim. “Isn’t that what you wanted?”

Immediately she snatched him tight, kissing him all over his face and hugging him fiercely, as she sobbed, “Of course it is. You’re such a good, good boy. You’re the most amazing boy I’ve ever seen. It’s okay to stop growing now. It really is. You can stop for a while. Dear God, you’re big enough.”

Liam kissed her back then turned his attention to Dragos and grew still.

Sensing Liam’s change in focus, Pia looked at Dragos, too. With obvious reluctance, she let her arms loosen and let Liam stand on his own.

Dragos wanted to reach for him, but Liam hung back, leaning against his mom.

Dragos asked, “Are you afraid of me?”

Shaking his head, the boy asked a question of his own. “Do you remember me?”

“I do,” he said, a little hoarsely. “I remember you so well, and I really don’t want you to be afraid of me.”

Liam pushed away from Pia and stepped toward him. Holding very still, Dragos watched many expressions pass over that young face.

Liam looked into his gaze. It was an old, deep look from those violet eyes, a look that did not seem to come from a child.

Then Liam smiled and patted him on the cheek.

He said in a gentle voice, “You’re a good dad.”

Astonished, broken wide open, Dragos felt something slide down his face. He touched his cheek and discovered wetness. Feeling a fullness and depth of emotion he had never felt before, he watched as Liam slipped around him and skipped toward the house.