The Children of Light - Book Two
Chapter Thirteen
This piece of fiction contains supernatural themes and sexual interactions between consenting male adults. Please do not read this if it is illegal where you are, or you are not of age to do so.
All characters are fictional and any similarities to known actual people are coincidental, unless otherwise specified.
Visit the blog to see visualisations of the characters throughout the story. As always your feedback is important and always welcome.
Alexander Phoenix - [email protected]
All characters are fictional and any similarities to known actual people are coincidental, unless otherwise specified.
Visit the blog to see visualisations of the characters throughout the story. As always your feedback is important and always welcome.
Alexander Phoenix - [email protected]
The bright blue eyes flickered open slowly, the haze of sleep clouding the normally crystalline eyes. A few more blinks and Alex was awake. He turned slowly and felt the weight of his husband half covering him in slumber. Squeezing gently, he hugged the familiar weight to himself and heard an unfamiliar squeal from behind the sleeping blond. Alex raised his head slightly and saw the bundle of blankets on the edge of their bed. Instantaneously the Italian was out of bed and stooping over the newborn with a soft smile. The child’s eyes focused on the face of the Italian and cooed happily.
‘Recognise me do ya?’ Alex asked softly as he reached in and carefully lifted the bundle into his arms. The child squealed softly with delight at the sensation of being held and Alex, still naked, walked out of the bedroom, checking his husband over before leaving him to sleep longer, and walked into the living room.
‘I think we might need to visit a supermarket today bambino.’ Alex said, jiggling the baby softly in his arms as he wandered around the living room. ‘We’re going to need diapers, and food, and clothes, oh, some toys as well.’ Alex was about to step out onto the deck when he heard a woman clear her throat from the front door. Alex turned quickly and spotted his mother with a curious look on her face.
‘Tell me bambino, why I had to hear from Caiden that I am a grandmother, and not from my son?’ Mrs. Braddock said with hand on hip, tapping her foot softly.
‘Mamma!’ Alex said happily. ‘It’s been a long night, and I’ve only just woken up.’ The Italian began with a pleading tone.
‘Gah!’ Mrs. Braddock said, flapping her hand at her son, dismissing his excuses. ‘Bring me my nipote.’ Alex grinned happily and walked swiftly to his mother. Without waiting, Mrs. Braddock reached over and scooped the newborn from her son’s arms and with the skill of a veteran mother, cradled the child in one arm as she bustled through to the living room, slipping a bag from her shoulder and sitting on the sofa.
‘Put some clothes on bambino.’ Mrs. Braddock instructed of her son with a raised eyebrow. ‘With a baby around, I’ll see his pene enough, you can put yours away. Where’s my raggio di luce?’
‘Still sleeping Mamma.’ Alex said walking swiftly down the hallway and returning moments later in only a pair of black sweat pants, by which point Mrs. Braddock had the newborn child thoroughly cleaned with a soft, warm cloth.
‘Put the kettle on caro.’ Aurelia asked of her son as she deftly slid the baby into a comfortable diaper and wrapped in the soft yellow blanket which she stopped for a second to observe closely. ‘This is the same colour as the fire he controlled.’ Mrs. Braddock said softly, her voice coloured slightly with emotion, as she tucked the corner into the swaddled blanket and cocooning the newborn securely.
‘I hadn’t noticed.’ Alex said quietly as he sat in the sofa opposite his mother. Tears began to brim his eyes as he watched his mother caring for the re-born Leader.
‘Dry your eyes bambino. We have not lost a great man. He is born anew to protect us all, again.’ Aurelia said, hefting the child up and onto her shoulder. She rose from the sofa with dignity and swept into the kitchen where she prepared a bottle of formula with one hand. As she placed the swaddled baby in the lap of her son, Quinn shuffled out of the bedroom quietly, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.
‘Raggio di luce!’ Mrs. Braddock called spotting her son in law dressed only in a pair of sweat pants like his husband.
‘Hello Mamma!’ Quinn said surprised, racing to her side and embracing her. ‘Where’s…?’
‘No offence caro, but I dread to imagine what would happen to my nipote if I weren’t here.’ Aurelia said with a soft giggle.
‘None taken Mamma. We’re so not ready for this.’ Quinn admitted ashamedly. Aurelia observed the blond man as she sat down on the sofa across from her son, beside whom Quinn sat.
‘Don’t fear my darlings. You will do well.’ Aurelia said with a smile for her two sons. ‘And I’m not about to let you both down.’ She looked to the bundle in the Italian’s arms. ‘He may not be your blood, but he is still my nipote, and I am his… his…’ Aurelia choked slightly. Alex looked up, his blue eyes round with excited discovery as he stared at his mother. His eyes narrowed slightly as he stared with barely restrained excitement.
‘You’re his nonna!’ Alex said gleefully as he watched the hardened face of his mother crack ever so slightly with love.
‘Si bambino. I am his… nonna.’ She admitted finally, still struggling to say the word. ‘Oh merda, I’m a nonna! And from you, my beautiful baby. I owe your father twenty dollars.’
‘Why?’ Quinn asked, looking over to his mother in law.
‘He said that Alex would be the first to get a girl pregnant. That he would make us grandparents first.’ Aurelia said with a smile.
‘Well, I didn’t get a girl pregnant. But, I guess you are a nonna now.’ Alex said stressing the word excessively.
‘Caro!’ Mrs. Braddock said flapping a hand at her son. ‘I told the bastardo it would be Franco. Oh dio!’ Alex and Quinn laughed to themselves as they looked over to Aurelia.
‘Thank you Mamma.’ Alex said with a warm smile as the child turned away from the bottle and fussed slightly.
‘You need to burp him.’ Aurelia said pointing to the child. Alex, with a little patience, had the baby on his shoulder as he alternatively patted and rubbed the small back.
‘So he told you, the spirit that is, to raise him like your own?’ Aurelia asked of her son.
‘Pretty much.’ Alex said still softly patting the child’s back.
‘Okay.’ Mrs. Braddock said more to herself than anyone else.
‘What?’ Alex asked of his mother, already seeing the wheels in motion.
‘I think we should…’ Aurelia was interrupted by three solid knocks at the door.
‘I’ll get it.’ Quinn said standing up quickly and heading for the door.
‘Good morning Sgàile de a’Gealach.’ A deep Scottish voice boomed.
‘Hello Fergus. Come in.’ The blond said uncertainly as the High Priest of Calanais came into the cabin.
‘Before you continue that sentence, I must intercede ever so slightly in one respect.’ The Scots said, somehow looking contrite and commanding simultaneously.
‘How so?’ Alex asked as the baby expelled a healthy belch. Alex flipped the child around and had him sitting in the crook of his arm facing the Scots priest. Fergus looked to the child and felt a tear escape his eye.
‘For as long as I can recall, and that’s quite some time, we, the High Priests of Calanais have named the re-born, and I come with his name.’ Fergus said watching the baby intently.
‘Why?’ Quinn asked, subconsciously shuffling closer to his husband and the child. Fergus’s attention broke and he looked to the blond curiously for a moment before answering.
‘Mac de Grian asked the very first High Priest to do as such. And so we have.’ The priest said with a soft wink. ‘Aurelia was about to say that you should have him baptised, as you were Alex… however, I think it best that he be blessed by myself, rather than the church, considering who did this to him.’ Aurelia nodded in understanding even though her eyes burned brightly.
‘So how do we do that then?’ Quinn asked curiously.
‘High noon, I will bless the child, and name him.’ Fergus said with a smile.
‘And what will you name him?’ Alex asked inquisitively.
‘He shall have three names, one of which you already know. He will forever have that name. Mac de Grian. The second name, only the High Priest of Calanais will ever know, for names have power, a power no one will ever hold over him. But his third, the one everyone will address him as, is Kian.’
‘Ky-arn?’ Alex attempted the unfamiliar name.
‘Caro!’ Aurelia laughed at her son’s swollen tongue. ‘Key-in.’
‘Kian.’ Quinn said confidently. ‘I like it.’
‘Kian Beauchamp-Braddock.’ Alex said cautiously.
‘Kian Caradoc Beauchamp-Braddock.’ Fergus announced with a smile.
‘Wait, what?’ Alex asked marginally stunned. ‘What was that second one?’
‘Caradoc.’ The High Priest said with a crooked smile.
‘Okay, where the hell did these names come from?’ Alex asked slightly flustered.
‘Actually, Lachlan and I decided on them some time back.’ Fergus said still smiling crookedly.
‘Oh of course he did.’ Quinn said with a laugh. ‘Of course he’d be prepared for this.’
‘You should know that Lachlan didn’t know he was immortal, in that sense. We were not naming himself. We were naming the child he wanted.’
‘He wanted a child?’ Alex asked sadly.
‘Very much so. Kian was one of the names he had mentioned, but never chose. But for him, it is suitable.’
‘What does it mean?’ Quinn asked of the Scots.
‘It is Irish and means ancient or enduring.’ Fergus said as his crooked smile grew bigger. Alex, Quinn and Aurelia all smiled in understanding.
‘And Caradoc?’ Quinn prompted after a moment.
‘It is Welsh and means dearly loved.’ Fergus said with a warm smile to the Italian and Canadian.
‘Perfect.’ Alex whispered as he hunkered down and snuggled his rough, unshaven face against the soft cheek of the baby. ‘Kian Caradoc Beauchamp-Braddock.’ Aurelia’s face split into a motherly smile of love and tenderness as she stood up and appeared in front of her son.
‘Give me the child and go ready yourself caro.’ She said as Kian was placed in her arms. ‘You too my darling.’ Aurelia said reaching over and stroking Quinn’s cheek as he too stood up and went to clean up. Aurelia shuffled into the kitchen again and turned the kettle on as Fergus followed her, making silly faces to Kian, who was hiked up on the woman’s shoulder. The child cackled and cooed with adoration at the giant Scotsman.
‘Is it wise placing them in charge of someone important?’ Aurelia asked under her breath, the noise of the kettle disguising their conversation.
‘Why isn’t it?’ Fergus asked with a small gesture to the Italian woman. ‘You have assumed the remaining responsibility, as only a proud nonna could.’ Aurelia eyed the man suspiciously and then as quick as lightning slapped his huge upper arm with a loud thwack.
‘You cheeky bastardo!’ She laughed as she prepared six cups of coffee with Kian perched on her shoulder still chuckling delightedly at the large priest.
‘I can’t believe this many people came.’ Quinn whispered discretely to his husband as a large number of strangers found places to sit in the Gathering Field.
‘I guess they’re all people Lachlan and Rama knew.’ Alex said, watching the strangers all settling down and talking with each other. Alex watched a particularly fascinating man sitting down cross legged several feet from himself. He was roughly Alex’s height, with light caramel skin that resembled marble somehow. He had dark hair and equally dark eyes. The man sitting next to him, roughly Quinn’s height had light hair and the same curiously dark eyes. Where the taller man sat in absolute stillness, the smaller man almost looked uncomfortable and agitated. The taller, dark haired man leaned into the fair haired man and whispered something no one could hear, but the smaller man began to relax and smiled. The tall man looked directly at Alex and winked surreptitiously.
‘We choose not to mourn the loss of Lachlan and Rama, but instead celebrate the re-birth of them both. Family, Preston Amel Williams and Kian Caradoc Beauchamp-Braddock.’ The High Priest of Calanais said proudly as he gestured to Jaden and Caiden, the latter holding the re-born Rama and Alex and Quinn holding the re-born Lachlan. ‘Let us hope they do not hyphenate their names when they wed.’ The Priest joked to a laughing crowd.
As everyone began eating and relaxing, a young man approached the Italian and Canadian shyly.
‘Hello.’ Quinn said, smiling to the young man who smiled shyly.
‘Did you know him well?’ Quinn asked of the man who nodded sadly.
‘I… I knew him a long time ago.’ The young man said softly staring at the bundle of sleeping baby. ‘He taught me everything I know.’
‘Did you stay here with him?’ Quinn asked curiously.
‘No, not here.’ The young man said sadly. ‘A long, long time ago, at another Sanctuary. He taught me the way of my people. I… it’s hard to explain.’
‘What is your name?’ Quinn asked, looking into the face of the man, who finally looked back to Quinn, their eyes connecting for a moment.
‘Arryn.’ The young man said. ‘I met him over 500 years ago.’ Quinn’s eyes unfocused slightly at this statement. ‘As I said, it’s hard to explain.’ Arryn said quietly.
‘Are you an immortal?’ Quinn asked curiously.
‘No.’ The man smiled. ‘An accidental time traveller, I guess you could say.’ Quinn’s jaw hit the floor at this point. ‘As I said, hard to explain. I met him,’ he said pointing to the baby, ‘in a previous lifetime.
‘I however am an immortal.’ A deep voice, rather similar to Alex’s, said from behind the young man. Quinn looked up and saw a smooth, Mediterranean man smiling down at them. The tall, marble like man sat deftly before Alex and Quinn, the Italian watching the stranger carefully as Quinn glanced between the two strangers.
‘Alexandros Demetrius.’ The tall marble statue said offering his hand to Alex. ‘I met Lachlan nearly 2000 years ago, in a previous incarnation.’ Alex attempted to scan the mind of the stranger but was rebuffed almost as forcefully as he would have trying to penetrate the perfectly smooth, yet strong skin.
‘I…’ Alex began but was silenced by the stranger.
‘I may not be a Child of the Light, but I have my own defenses.’ He spoke in that deep, exotic timbre.
‘What are you?’ Quinn asked almost bluntly. The tall stranger laughed, a booming sound that shook through the chests of the two men.
‘A thing of fairy tales and horror stories.’ The man said with a smile that chilled the blond’s blood. ‘Mac de Grian is a friend.’ He concluded with a wink. ‘I wanted to make sure he was safe.’
‘Ah, thanks?’ Quinn said uncertainly, very much aware of the stranger’s peculiarly sharp teeth.
‘I must be leaving now. My mate is new to this life and is rather agitated.’ Alexandros said with great emphasis on the word “mate”. ‘I would very much like to come again.’
‘Please do.’ Alex said subconsciously closing the distance between himself and Quinn protectively. The stranger smiled to the two men, watching the power-play of the Italian’s subconscious protection of his mate and child. The stranger nodded, more to himself, and smiled.
‘The Spirit chose well.’ He said nodding to Alex and Quinn and disappearing instantly. Alex glanced over and noticed that the five companions he was sitting with had all vanished as well.
‘Was he a…?’
‘Vampire.’ Alex concluded for his husband.
‘He is a stone skin.’ The young stranger said softly as he leaned closer to Quinn. ‘I met him when I travelled back. He was friends with him.’ He said, again gesturing to the baby.
‘Did he say much?’ Quinn asked curiously of the young man, who stood up and bowed abruptly.
‘I must go.’ He said quickly, and at human speed, walked toward the veil.
‘Dear lord, he met some odd people.’ Quinn said, watching the young man walking quickly across the grass.
‘I hope they don’t just invite themselves to our house.’ Alex said scanning over the gathered crowd looking for any more people who might be dangerous.
‘We’re protected remember babe? By your protections and mine.’ Quinn said softly as he turned to fuss over the baby who had just awoken with a squall.
‘Is he alright?’ Alex asked, leaning over and tickling the cheek of the baby who chuckled with delight at the large Italian man.
‘Hungry I think.’ Quinn said, trying to shuffle the baby into a position he had seen Aurelia employ but not quite getting it. Alex took the bundle from his husband and laughed.
‘There we go.’ He said, sitting the babe in the crook of his elbow as Quinn found the bottle of formula and handed it to his husband.
‘Guess it’s gonna take some time getting used to this.’ Quinn said embarrassed at his lack of dexterity.
‘We’ve been parents for less than twelve hours my love. Give yourself some credit.’ The Italian said popping the bottle into the infant’s mouth and smiling to his husband. ‘You are going to be a brilliant father.’
‘Fuck he knew a lot of people.’ Jaden said in the quiet of his private cabin. Caiden had just put Preston down for a nap as Alex and Quinn entered the living room.
‘There were quite a few of them weren’t there?’ Quinn said as he slumped into a sofa with exhaustion.
‘Where’s Lach… I mean Kian?’ Caiden asked as he sat next to his brother looking as tired as Quinn.
‘Asleep with Mamma.’ Alex responded as he snaked an arm behind Quinn and drew the blond closer to him.
‘You guys alright?’ The redhead asked of the married couple as he gauged their fragile emotional state.
‘Tired more than anything. It’s been a long day.’ The Italian said closing his eyes momentarily.
‘Yeah, and all those bloody freaks.’ Jaden said with a laugh.
‘Did you guys see the vampire?’ Alex asked of the twins.
‘Big solid bastard? Looked like a statue?’ Jaden enquired.
‘With the dark eyes.’ Quinn said suppressing a shudder.
‘Yeah, we saw him.’ Caiden said uncomfortably. ‘I didn’t realise Lachlan knew vampires. I didn’t realise there were actual vampires out there.’
‘Neither did we.’ Alex said with a soft giggle. ‘Scary fucker he was.’
‘Mmm.’ The twins chimed together, both lost in thought. The four men sat quietly for a few moments before Alex interrupted.
‘So, we’re gonna head home this afternoon.’ The Italian said nervously. Jaden looked at the two men with suspicious eyes whilst his brother looked at Quinn with a soft understanding.
‘Don’t feel guilty.’ Caiden said softly. ‘It’s only right that you would want to go home. And he does belong with you.’
‘Are you guys going to stay here?’ The Canadian asked curiously. Jaden looked to his brother and smiled.
‘Actually, we were looking at finding a house nearby to you guys, if that’s alright?’ Caiden answered for them both.
‘That sounds like a great idea.’ Alex said with a smile. ‘We’ll help you find a house.’
‘You don’t think we’re abandoning our responsibility here, do you?’ Jaden asked of the group looking slightly ashamed.
‘Not really. We’re all a blink away, and the three of us are able to teleport inside now.’ Alex replied.
‘And dad will be here in our stead.’ Caiden affirmed.
‘I just… it kinda feels like we’re just up and leaving.’ Jaden said softly, more to himself than anyone else.
‘Don’t feel like that.’ Grayson said from the door. He stepped into the room and sat in a single seat sofa between the twins and the couple. ‘You all have a greater responsibility now, and I’m sad to say that it’s a responsibility that cannot be fulfilled in the Sanctuary.’
‘But…’
‘No. You all need to take your charges and raise them as best you can, away from here. And when they’re both old enough to understand, you bring them back.’ Grayson smiled to the four men.
‘I want to visit frequently.’ Alex said confidently.
‘Of course. And we will always welcome you home.’ Grayson replied with a nod. ‘But you all need to go somewhere quiet and safe to raise these boys.’
‘Wait, this isn’t goodbye.’ Quinn said, Jaden and Caiden both nodding vigorously in agreement.
‘It won’t be the same without you here.’ The older man said looking to his sons. ‘But you must go away from here, where it is quiet and safe.’
‘But…’
‘And look after my grandson. And my Leader.’ Grayson said with a sniffle. The twins were instantly in front of their father and piling on top of him, the three men hugging each other in a gale of tears.
‘Let’s go get ready.’ Alex whispered to his husband as the two men rose from the sofa quietly and disappeared outside.
‘Well, we could always move into the apartment until the renovations are completed?’ Alex suggested as he hiked the bundle of baby up onto his shoulder walking into the kitchen looking for the bottle of formula his mother had just made.
‘But what about Georgie and Gabriel?’ Quinn asked from the sofa.
‘Ah caro. You move in with me till it’s done, sì?’ Aurelia said with a smile.
‘What about us?’ Mikhail asked with a grin as he pulled Fabrizio into his side.
‘You too bambino. All of you.’ Mrs. Braddock said with a big smile.
‘Are you sure Mamma?’ Alex asked his mother as he returned to the living room and sat down beside his husband, baby tucked into the crook of his arm, a bottle in the small mouth.
‘Sì. You bring Callum and his one as well.’ Mrs. Braddock said, her smile increasing in size.
‘That’s a lot of people to have in your house, Mamma.’ Alex said, peering at his mother, trying his hardest not to read her mind.
‘It will be nice having you all there. And my nipote.’ Aurelia said with a soft smile for Kian. Alex smiled to himself and stood up, careful not to jostle the baby and walked to his mother. He leaned over and safely plopped the child into his mother’s arms where the maternal instincts of Mrs. Braddock took over.
‘He has the same eyes.’ Aurelia said, peering helplessly into the ice blue eyes of the child which focused on the woman carefully. A smile formed around the teat of the bottle it was suckling on. ‘I swear he knows who I am.’
‘I’m sure he does.’ Alex said, sitting back with his husband and pulling the blond into his side. ‘I wish I could have spoken with him, or the spirit at least, a little more about what to do.’
‘You’ll know what to do caro.’ Aurelia responded, still peering down into the blue eyes.
‘I guess. Lachlan never knew that he was reincarnated, do you think we should keep it that way?’ Alex queried of no one in particular.
‘Perhaps. If Lachlan didn’t know, then maybe Kian shouldn’t either?’ Quinn said softly.
‘Worry about that later bambino. You have several years yet.’ Aurelia said without taking her eyes off the child.
‘Alright then.’ Alex sighed. ‘Well, the guy from Papà’s building company will be here tomorrow morning to go over what we want done and if all goes to plan, renovations will start early next week.’
‘You’re renovating?’ Callum asked as he and Nikolai came into the lounge, both heads of hair standing on end from their slumber, the smallest Russian rubbing his eyes.
‘Yeah. We’re gonna need a lot more room to fit everyone in.’ Alex said with a smile as he patted the seat next to him, indicating for Callum to sit next to him. The Brit sat down and Nikolai plopped himself beside Alex’s cousin, leaning on the Brit’s shoulder. Aurelia and Mikhail both glanced surreptitiously to the two men and smiled to each other.
‘It’s not because of me or Nicky, right?’ Callum asked with concern.
‘Not at all cousin. We need the room, what with a new baby. And Mickey and Fabz need their space, so we thought we may as well just get it all over and done with. Lots of room for everyone.’ Alex said, snaking an arm behind his cousin and hugging him tenderly. Nikolai looked to the Brit and his Italian cousin just as Alex reached out a finger and stroked the man’s cheek gently, including him in the affection.
‘So what sort of renovations are we talking here?’ Callum asked as he snuggled into the warmth of his cousin, Nikolai cuddled into his other side.
‘Well, we’re gonna take out the wall between the two rooms upstairs and make that one large bedroom. The other room across the hall is gonna be turned into a nursery from Kian. And we’re also gonna build a three bedroom guest house down the back of the property for Mickey and Fabz. So, you and Nikolai can have the soon to be large room upstairs or a room out in the guest house with those two.’ Alex said indicating the large Russian and his lover.
‘Would you mind?’ Nikolai asked of his large friend.
‘Nyet!’ Mikhail said with a broad smile. ‘The more the merrier!’ He finished with a laugh.
‘I’m also gonna have the pool moved and re-sized. It’s gonna be in hot demand soon, and it’s hardly big enough.’ The Italian said with a smile.
‘And how long will that all take?’ Callum asked curiously.
‘I don’t know. We’ll find out tomorrow.’ The Italian laughed softly as Aurelia plucked the now empty bottle from Kian’s mouth and hefted the bundled baby onto her shoulder, alternately patting and rubbing his back.
‘He’s gonna be a porker the way he’s eating.’ Alex chuckled, watching his mother and the babe.
‘Even if he is, you’ll still love him.’ Aurelia gently chided her son with a mocking smile.
‘Sì Mamma.’ Alex grinned mischievously.
‘Your aunts want you to visit them.’ She said as the child passed his wind loudly. ‘And Franny wants to see her boys too.’
‘Maybe we can stop over tomorrow after the construction guy has been.’ Alex mused.
‘Or perhaps we can have lunch here?’ Quinn suggested thoughtfully.
‘Do you think they’d mind?’ Alex asked of his mother who had the baby cradled in her arms, gently rocking him to sleep.
‘I don’t see why not. Give them a call.’ Aurelia responded with a smile. Before Alex could extricate himself from the bundle of bodies on the sofa, Fabrizio had already pulled out his mobile phone and had it to his ear.
‘Hello Mamma.’ The youngest Italian said into the phone. ‘Sì Mamma. Sì.’ He said several times rolling his eyes.
‘Mamma, I called to ask if you and Papà wanted to come for lunch tomorrow.’ Fabrizio interrupted his mother. ‘Sì Mamma. You and Papa, Aunty G and Uncle Claudio.’
Everyone in the room was watching the youngest Italian with interest.
‘Grazie Mamma. See you at midday. Sì, I love you too.’ Fabrizio said disconnecting the call.
‘Might pay to text or call Giorgio and get them here tomorrow as well.’ Alex said to his youngest cousin, who began texting his older brother immediately.
‘Well, my darlings, I should be off.’ Aurelia said standing up carefully and walking toward her son. Bending over slightly she deposited the now sleeping baby into Alex’s arms and smiled. ‘Put him to bed caro.’
‘Sì Mamma.’ Alex nodded with a smile to his mother. ‘See you tomorrow at lunch?’ He asked.
‘I suppose.’ Aurelia said with a laugh as Quinn stood up and followed her to the front door.
‘See you tomorrow, Mamma.’ The blond said, embracing his mother in law tenderly.
‘Sì bambino.’ Mrs. Braddock said, releasing the young man and kissing him softly on the cheek. Opening the door, she stepped outside and off to her car as Quinn closed the front door quietly.
‘I’ll just put this one to bed.’ Alex said, standing up and heading to the stairs as Quinn went into the kitchen to make some lunch for everyone.
Having returned from the supermarket, Alex and Quinn were running over a small list of things they needed to do for lunch the following day. They had decided on making a roast meal; a leg of lamb, a piece of pork, two chickens and vegetables to accompany. Quinn had decided he was going to make a cheesecake for dessert and was apparently absent-mindedly staring through the kitchen window.
‘What you thinking about my love?’ Alex asked his husband from the kitchen island where he sat going over the list.
‘Hmm?’ Quinn mumbled after a few moments.
Alex flickered across the room and had his arms around the blond softly hugging him. ‘What are you looking at?’ He asked quietly as he followed the blond’s gaze through the window. He saw Mikhail, Fabrizio, Callum and Nikolai sitting in a lazy circle, Kian on his back in the middle, legs kicking happily in the air. ‘That’d make a gorgeous picture.’ The Italian said with a smile.
‘There’s something hovering above them.’ Quinn said tonelessly, his voice echoing slightly. Alex tightened his embrace and squinted at the group on the lawn.
‘Can I see?’ Alex asked. Quinn nodded affirmatively as the Italian connected telepathically with his husband and shared his unique spirit vision. Sure enough, hovering a few feet above the small group of people was a bright golden cloud, shimmering innocently in the late afternoon sun.
‘That’s not a normal spirit is it?’ Alex asked after a few moments.
‘It’s not a normal spirit. I… I think it might be…’ Quinn was unable to finish what he was going to say. In the blink of an eye, the golden cloud had condensed into a bright, shining golden sphere, about the size of an apple and shot toward the house, passing effortlessly through the pane of glass and hovering inches from the blond’s face. Gasping loudly, both men staggered backward in shock, Alex pulling his husband further away from the sphere and returning his arms around the blond protectively.
‘What the…?’ Alex was cut off with a telepathic shriek as the golden sphere exploded radiantly with flames of gold, yellow, white and red. Shielding their eyes from the light, Quinn and Alex peered cautiously at the magnificent Phoenix.
‘Custodians.’ The bird spoke in the unusual multi-toned voice that pressed in on the ears as well as pervaded the mind.
‘Er, hi.’ Quinn said after swallowing nervously, unsure how to address the Phoenix spirit.
‘Many names have I had. Many names have I been called.’ The Phoenix squawked softly to the two men in answer of Quinn’s unspoken question.
‘What do we call you?’ Alex asked curiously.
‘You know my name.’ The spirit said cryptically as it inclined its head and Quinn felt his soul being penetrated. Alex wasn’t aware of the interaction between the spirit and his husband until Quinn jolted slightly. Alex tightened his embrace as Quinn’s mouth opened slightly and a squawk sounded.
‘What?’ Alex said, squeezing Quinn slightly in a panic.
‘That’s its name.’ The blond said tonelessly, staring into the fiery eyes.
‘I didn’t hear anything. It squawked when you said it.’ The Italian said in mild frustration.
‘That was me, not him.’ Quinn said tonelessly, unable to break eye contact with the spirit.
‘What?’ Alex asked again. ‘You didn’t say anything.’
‘He spoke my name.’ The Phoenix said in its multi-faceted voice.
‘That squawk? If that’s your name, I can’t say it.’ The Italian said with a hint of pleading in his voice. Shaking his head as if waking up suddenly, Quinn smiled at the Phoenix.
‘Many names have I had, but I was most fond of Ra.’ The Phoenix said inclining his head politely to the two men.
‘Ra, the Sun God?’ Alex asked slightly baffled. The Firebird nodded briefly, turning its head to the side slightly, as if trying to listen carefully for something.
‘Wait. Wait, wait, wait!’ Alex said putting the pieces together. ‘Many names you’ve had and been called. Ra was your favourite.’ He opened and closed his mouth a few times comically, trying to form the words, whilst Quinn smiled serenely at the Firebird.
‘Yes.’ The Phoenix said.
‘You’re the Sun God? The Egyptian Sun God?’ Alex stammered breathlessly.
‘I am the Spirit that all have prayed to throughout man’s history. I am Lazondiil, Helios, Apollo, Hebat, Liza, Sol, Hepa, Sanrael, Lugh, Amaterasu, Zelando, Ra. I am the Sun.’ The Phoenix said, near drowning the Italian in confusion.
‘The… the… Sun?’ Alex stammered incoherently. Quinn chuckled in amusement at his husband’s confusion.
‘Alex, my love. He is The Sun. The Spirit of the Sun. The Spirit that all the Ancient cultures prayed to as their Sun God. Every single one of them. He is The Sun God.’ Quinn finished with a smile, finally coming out of his reverie and looking into the clouded blue eyes of his husband. Alex’s eyes pleaded silently of his husband, a silent cry for reason. Quinn’s smile hit full force, dazzling the Italian in its brilliance, momentarily clearing Alex’s mind of confusion.
‘Ra.’ Alex managed to croak eventually, turning to look at the Firebird, which nodded in acknowledgement.
‘Your hearts are pure. Good. You are the Custodians, the Guardians, and the rightful Parents of us. Follow your heart, follow your instincts and you will not fall.’ The Sun God said generating equal parts comfort and confusion in Alex, Quinn nodding with some odd sense of understanding.
‘Are you leaving?’ Alex asked nervously, unsure what was happening now.
‘I now join with the host. I join, comfort, protect, that which is He. We are, and will be until time ends, one.’ The Phoenix said softly, Quinn feeling and hearing the sense of completeness the Firebird felt when thinking of joining with Kian.
‘Will we see you again?’ Alex asked unsure of himself. The two men felt the laughter before they heard it.
‘Always. I am him.’ It responded in light amusement.
‘That’s not what…’ Alex began but was cut off.
‘I know. If the need should arise, I will address you in this form. But I foresee no reason to. You are both capable, powerful Guardians. You need no such communion with me.’ The Firebird said warmly. Alex was about to ask a question when the Phoenix’s mouth opened and Quinn clapped a hand around the Italian’s wrist softly.
‘Trust in the faith I bestow upon you. You will know what to do. Trust your instincts, trust your souls, and trust your love.’ The Phoenix said confidently and as if as an afterthought added, ‘Keep the companion close. Preston he has been christened. Keep them close together.’
‘We will.’ Quinn said softly looking into his husband’s eyes, the bright green eyes locking onto the bright blue eyes.
With a swirl of bright flames the Firebird squawked quietly and in the blink of an eye vanished through the kitchen window. Quinn, being in close proximity to the Spirit was still telepathically connected, in a sense, with the Firebird and could see the spirit light through the wall, as it came to an abrupt stop in the middle of the lawn, spinning on itself and becoming one with the spirit of his son, their son, Kian. A squeal of discomfort sounded from the lawn, along with the gasps of the four men outside. Alex and Quinn were outside and kneeling beside their son instantly, Quinn scooping Kian up into his arms swiftly, holding him to his chest and cuddling him softly.
‘Recognise me do ya?’ Alex asked softly as he reached in and carefully lifted the bundle into his arms. The child squealed softly with delight at the sensation of being held and Alex, still naked, walked out of the bedroom, checking his husband over before leaving him to sleep longer, and walked into the living room.
‘I think we might need to visit a supermarket today bambino.’ Alex said, jiggling the baby softly in his arms as he wandered around the living room. ‘We’re going to need diapers, and food, and clothes, oh, some toys as well.’ Alex was about to step out onto the deck when he heard a woman clear her throat from the front door. Alex turned quickly and spotted his mother with a curious look on her face.
‘Tell me bambino, why I had to hear from Caiden that I am a grandmother, and not from my son?’ Mrs. Braddock said with hand on hip, tapping her foot softly.
‘Mamma!’ Alex said happily. ‘It’s been a long night, and I’ve only just woken up.’ The Italian began with a pleading tone.
‘Gah!’ Mrs. Braddock said, flapping her hand at her son, dismissing his excuses. ‘Bring me my nipote.’ Alex grinned happily and walked swiftly to his mother. Without waiting, Mrs. Braddock reached over and scooped the newborn from her son’s arms and with the skill of a veteran mother, cradled the child in one arm as she bustled through to the living room, slipping a bag from her shoulder and sitting on the sofa.
‘Put some clothes on bambino.’ Mrs. Braddock instructed of her son with a raised eyebrow. ‘With a baby around, I’ll see his pene enough, you can put yours away. Where’s my raggio di luce?’
‘Still sleeping Mamma.’ Alex said walking swiftly down the hallway and returning moments later in only a pair of black sweat pants, by which point Mrs. Braddock had the newborn child thoroughly cleaned with a soft, warm cloth.
‘Put the kettle on caro.’ Aurelia asked of her son as she deftly slid the baby into a comfortable diaper and wrapped in the soft yellow blanket which she stopped for a second to observe closely. ‘This is the same colour as the fire he controlled.’ Mrs. Braddock said softly, her voice coloured slightly with emotion, as she tucked the corner into the swaddled blanket and cocooning the newborn securely.
‘I hadn’t noticed.’ Alex said quietly as he sat in the sofa opposite his mother. Tears began to brim his eyes as he watched his mother caring for the re-born Leader.
‘Dry your eyes bambino. We have not lost a great man. He is born anew to protect us all, again.’ Aurelia said, hefting the child up and onto her shoulder. She rose from the sofa with dignity and swept into the kitchen where she prepared a bottle of formula with one hand. As she placed the swaddled baby in the lap of her son, Quinn shuffled out of the bedroom quietly, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.
‘Raggio di luce!’ Mrs. Braddock called spotting her son in law dressed only in a pair of sweat pants like his husband.
‘Hello Mamma!’ Quinn said surprised, racing to her side and embracing her. ‘Where’s…?’
‘No offence caro, but I dread to imagine what would happen to my nipote if I weren’t here.’ Aurelia said with a soft giggle.
‘None taken Mamma. We’re so not ready for this.’ Quinn admitted ashamedly. Aurelia observed the blond man as she sat down on the sofa across from her son, beside whom Quinn sat.
‘Don’t fear my darlings. You will do well.’ Aurelia said with a smile for her two sons. ‘And I’m not about to let you both down.’ She looked to the bundle in the Italian’s arms. ‘He may not be your blood, but he is still my nipote, and I am his… his…’ Aurelia choked slightly. Alex looked up, his blue eyes round with excited discovery as he stared at his mother. His eyes narrowed slightly as he stared with barely restrained excitement.
‘You’re his nonna!’ Alex said gleefully as he watched the hardened face of his mother crack ever so slightly with love.
‘Si bambino. I am his… nonna.’ She admitted finally, still struggling to say the word. ‘Oh merda, I’m a nonna! And from you, my beautiful baby. I owe your father twenty dollars.’
‘Why?’ Quinn asked, looking over to his mother in law.
‘He said that Alex would be the first to get a girl pregnant. That he would make us grandparents first.’ Aurelia said with a smile.
‘Well, I didn’t get a girl pregnant. But, I guess you are a nonna now.’ Alex said stressing the word excessively.
‘Caro!’ Mrs. Braddock said flapping a hand at her son. ‘I told the bastardo it would be Franco. Oh dio!’ Alex and Quinn laughed to themselves as they looked over to Aurelia.
‘Thank you Mamma.’ Alex said with a warm smile as the child turned away from the bottle and fussed slightly.
‘You need to burp him.’ Aurelia said pointing to the child. Alex, with a little patience, had the baby on his shoulder as he alternatively patted and rubbed the small back.
‘So he told you, the spirit that is, to raise him like your own?’ Aurelia asked of her son.
‘Pretty much.’ Alex said still softly patting the child’s back.
‘Okay.’ Mrs. Braddock said more to herself than anyone else.
‘What?’ Alex asked of his mother, already seeing the wheels in motion.
‘I think we should…’ Aurelia was interrupted by three solid knocks at the door.
‘I’ll get it.’ Quinn said standing up quickly and heading for the door.
‘Good morning Sgàile de a’Gealach.’ A deep Scottish voice boomed.
‘Hello Fergus. Come in.’ The blond said uncertainly as the High Priest of Calanais came into the cabin.
‘Before you continue that sentence, I must intercede ever so slightly in one respect.’ The Scots said, somehow looking contrite and commanding simultaneously.
‘How so?’ Alex asked as the baby expelled a healthy belch. Alex flipped the child around and had him sitting in the crook of his arm facing the Scots priest. Fergus looked to the child and felt a tear escape his eye.
‘For as long as I can recall, and that’s quite some time, we, the High Priests of Calanais have named the re-born, and I come with his name.’ Fergus said watching the baby intently.
‘Why?’ Quinn asked, subconsciously shuffling closer to his husband and the child. Fergus’s attention broke and he looked to the blond curiously for a moment before answering.
‘Mac de Grian asked the very first High Priest to do as such. And so we have.’ The priest said with a soft wink. ‘Aurelia was about to say that you should have him baptised, as you were Alex… however, I think it best that he be blessed by myself, rather than the church, considering who did this to him.’ Aurelia nodded in understanding even though her eyes burned brightly.
‘So how do we do that then?’ Quinn asked curiously.
‘High noon, I will bless the child, and name him.’ Fergus said with a smile.
‘And what will you name him?’ Alex asked inquisitively.
‘He shall have three names, one of which you already know. He will forever have that name. Mac de Grian. The second name, only the High Priest of Calanais will ever know, for names have power, a power no one will ever hold over him. But his third, the one everyone will address him as, is Kian.’
‘Ky-arn?’ Alex attempted the unfamiliar name.
‘Caro!’ Aurelia laughed at her son’s swollen tongue. ‘Key-in.’
‘Kian.’ Quinn said confidently. ‘I like it.’
‘Kian Beauchamp-Braddock.’ Alex said cautiously.
‘Kian Caradoc Beauchamp-Braddock.’ Fergus announced with a smile.
‘Wait, what?’ Alex asked marginally stunned. ‘What was that second one?’
‘Caradoc.’ The High Priest said with a crooked smile.
‘Okay, where the hell did these names come from?’ Alex asked slightly flustered.
‘Actually, Lachlan and I decided on them some time back.’ Fergus said still smiling crookedly.
‘Oh of course he did.’ Quinn said with a laugh. ‘Of course he’d be prepared for this.’
‘You should know that Lachlan didn’t know he was immortal, in that sense. We were not naming himself. We were naming the child he wanted.’
‘He wanted a child?’ Alex asked sadly.
‘Very much so. Kian was one of the names he had mentioned, but never chose. But for him, it is suitable.’
‘What does it mean?’ Quinn asked of the Scots.
‘It is Irish and means ancient or enduring.’ Fergus said as his crooked smile grew bigger. Alex, Quinn and Aurelia all smiled in understanding.
‘And Caradoc?’ Quinn prompted after a moment.
‘It is Welsh and means dearly loved.’ Fergus said with a warm smile to the Italian and Canadian.
‘Perfect.’ Alex whispered as he hunkered down and snuggled his rough, unshaven face against the soft cheek of the baby. ‘Kian Caradoc Beauchamp-Braddock.’ Aurelia’s face split into a motherly smile of love and tenderness as she stood up and appeared in front of her son.
‘Give me the child and go ready yourself caro.’ She said as Kian was placed in her arms. ‘You too my darling.’ Aurelia said reaching over and stroking Quinn’s cheek as he too stood up and went to clean up. Aurelia shuffled into the kitchen again and turned the kettle on as Fergus followed her, making silly faces to Kian, who was hiked up on the woman’s shoulder. The child cackled and cooed with adoration at the giant Scotsman.
‘Is it wise placing them in charge of someone important?’ Aurelia asked under her breath, the noise of the kettle disguising their conversation.
‘Why isn’t it?’ Fergus asked with a small gesture to the Italian woman. ‘You have assumed the remaining responsibility, as only a proud nonna could.’ Aurelia eyed the man suspiciously and then as quick as lightning slapped his huge upper arm with a loud thwack.
‘You cheeky bastardo!’ She laughed as she prepared six cups of coffee with Kian perched on her shoulder still chuckling delightedly at the large priest.
‘I can’t believe this many people came.’ Quinn whispered discretely to his husband as a large number of strangers found places to sit in the Gathering Field.
‘I guess they’re all people Lachlan and Rama knew.’ Alex said, watching the strangers all settling down and talking with each other. Alex watched a particularly fascinating man sitting down cross legged several feet from himself. He was roughly Alex’s height, with light caramel skin that resembled marble somehow. He had dark hair and equally dark eyes. The man sitting next to him, roughly Quinn’s height had light hair and the same curiously dark eyes. Where the taller man sat in absolute stillness, the smaller man almost looked uncomfortable and agitated. The taller, dark haired man leaned into the fair haired man and whispered something no one could hear, but the smaller man began to relax and smiled. The tall man looked directly at Alex and winked surreptitiously.
‘We choose not to mourn the loss of Lachlan and Rama, but instead celebrate the re-birth of them both. Family, Preston Amel Williams and Kian Caradoc Beauchamp-Braddock.’ The High Priest of Calanais said proudly as he gestured to Jaden and Caiden, the latter holding the re-born Rama and Alex and Quinn holding the re-born Lachlan. ‘Let us hope they do not hyphenate their names when they wed.’ The Priest joked to a laughing crowd.
As everyone began eating and relaxing, a young man approached the Italian and Canadian shyly.
‘Hello.’ Quinn said, smiling to the young man who smiled shyly.
‘Did you know him well?’ Quinn asked of the man who nodded sadly.
‘I… I knew him a long time ago.’ The young man said softly staring at the bundle of sleeping baby. ‘He taught me everything I know.’
‘Did you stay here with him?’ Quinn asked curiously.
‘No, not here.’ The young man said sadly. ‘A long, long time ago, at another Sanctuary. He taught me the way of my people. I… it’s hard to explain.’
‘What is your name?’ Quinn asked, looking into the face of the man, who finally looked back to Quinn, their eyes connecting for a moment.
‘Arryn.’ The young man said. ‘I met him over 500 years ago.’ Quinn’s eyes unfocused slightly at this statement. ‘As I said, it’s hard to explain.’ Arryn said quietly.
‘Are you an immortal?’ Quinn asked curiously.
‘No.’ The man smiled. ‘An accidental time traveller, I guess you could say.’ Quinn’s jaw hit the floor at this point. ‘As I said, hard to explain. I met him,’ he said pointing to the baby, ‘in a previous lifetime.
‘I however am an immortal.’ A deep voice, rather similar to Alex’s, said from behind the young man. Quinn looked up and saw a smooth, Mediterranean man smiling down at them. The tall, marble like man sat deftly before Alex and Quinn, the Italian watching the stranger carefully as Quinn glanced between the two strangers.
‘Alexandros Demetrius.’ The tall marble statue said offering his hand to Alex. ‘I met Lachlan nearly 2000 years ago, in a previous incarnation.’ Alex attempted to scan the mind of the stranger but was rebuffed almost as forcefully as he would have trying to penetrate the perfectly smooth, yet strong skin.
‘I…’ Alex began but was silenced by the stranger.
‘I may not be a Child of the Light, but I have my own defenses.’ He spoke in that deep, exotic timbre.
‘What are you?’ Quinn asked almost bluntly. The tall stranger laughed, a booming sound that shook through the chests of the two men.
‘A thing of fairy tales and horror stories.’ The man said with a smile that chilled the blond’s blood. ‘Mac de Grian is a friend.’ He concluded with a wink. ‘I wanted to make sure he was safe.’
‘Ah, thanks?’ Quinn said uncertainly, very much aware of the stranger’s peculiarly sharp teeth.
‘I must be leaving now. My mate is new to this life and is rather agitated.’ Alexandros said with great emphasis on the word “mate”. ‘I would very much like to come again.’
‘Please do.’ Alex said subconsciously closing the distance between himself and Quinn protectively. The stranger smiled to the two men, watching the power-play of the Italian’s subconscious protection of his mate and child. The stranger nodded, more to himself, and smiled.
‘The Spirit chose well.’ He said nodding to Alex and Quinn and disappearing instantly. Alex glanced over and noticed that the five companions he was sitting with had all vanished as well.
‘Was he a…?’
‘Vampire.’ Alex concluded for his husband.
‘He is a stone skin.’ The young stranger said softly as he leaned closer to Quinn. ‘I met him when I travelled back. He was friends with him.’ He said, again gesturing to the baby.
‘Did he say much?’ Quinn asked curiously of the young man, who stood up and bowed abruptly.
‘I must go.’ He said quickly, and at human speed, walked toward the veil.
‘Dear lord, he met some odd people.’ Quinn said, watching the young man walking quickly across the grass.
‘I hope they don’t just invite themselves to our house.’ Alex said scanning over the gathered crowd looking for any more people who might be dangerous.
‘We’re protected remember babe? By your protections and mine.’ Quinn said softly as he turned to fuss over the baby who had just awoken with a squall.
‘Is he alright?’ Alex asked, leaning over and tickling the cheek of the baby who chuckled with delight at the large Italian man.
‘Hungry I think.’ Quinn said, trying to shuffle the baby into a position he had seen Aurelia employ but not quite getting it. Alex took the bundle from his husband and laughed.
‘There we go.’ He said, sitting the babe in the crook of his elbow as Quinn found the bottle of formula and handed it to his husband.
‘Guess it’s gonna take some time getting used to this.’ Quinn said embarrassed at his lack of dexterity.
‘We’ve been parents for less than twelve hours my love. Give yourself some credit.’ The Italian said popping the bottle into the infant’s mouth and smiling to his husband. ‘You are going to be a brilliant father.’
‘Fuck he knew a lot of people.’ Jaden said in the quiet of his private cabin. Caiden had just put Preston down for a nap as Alex and Quinn entered the living room.
‘There were quite a few of them weren’t there?’ Quinn said as he slumped into a sofa with exhaustion.
‘Where’s Lach… I mean Kian?’ Caiden asked as he sat next to his brother looking as tired as Quinn.
‘Asleep with Mamma.’ Alex responded as he snaked an arm behind Quinn and drew the blond closer to him.
‘You guys alright?’ The redhead asked of the married couple as he gauged their fragile emotional state.
‘Tired more than anything. It’s been a long day.’ The Italian said closing his eyes momentarily.
‘Yeah, and all those bloody freaks.’ Jaden said with a laugh.
‘Did you guys see the vampire?’ Alex asked of the twins.
‘Big solid bastard? Looked like a statue?’ Jaden enquired.
‘With the dark eyes.’ Quinn said suppressing a shudder.
‘Yeah, we saw him.’ Caiden said uncomfortably. ‘I didn’t realise Lachlan knew vampires. I didn’t realise there were actual vampires out there.’
‘Neither did we.’ Alex said with a soft giggle. ‘Scary fucker he was.’
‘Mmm.’ The twins chimed together, both lost in thought. The four men sat quietly for a few moments before Alex interrupted.
‘So, we’re gonna head home this afternoon.’ The Italian said nervously. Jaden looked at the two men with suspicious eyes whilst his brother looked at Quinn with a soft understanding.
‘Don’t feel guilty.’ Caiden said softly. ‘It’s only right that you would want to go home. And he does belong with you.’
‘Are you guys going to stay here?’ The Canadian asked curiously. Jaden looked to his brother and smiled.
‘Actually, we were looking at finding a house nearby to you guys, if that’s alright?’ Caiden answered for them both.
‘That sounds like a great idea.’ Alex said with a smile. ‘We’ll help you find a house.’
‘You don’t think we’re abandoning our responsibility here, do you?’ Jaden asked of the group looking slightly ashamed.
‘Not really. We’re all a blink away, and the three of us are able to teleport inside now.’ Alex replied.
‘And dad will be here in our stead.’ Caiden affirmed.
‘I just… it kinda feels like we’re just up and leaving.’ Jaden said softly, more to himself than anyone else.
‘Don’t feel like that.’ Grayson said from the door. He stepped into the room and sat in a single seat sofa between the twins and the couple. ‘You all have a greater responsibility now, and I’m sad to say that it’s a responsibility that cannot be fulfilled in the Sanctuary.’
‘But…’
‘No. You all need to take your charges and raise them as best you can, away from here. And when they’re both old enough to understand, you bring them back.’ Grayson smiled to the four men.
‘I want to visit frequently.’ Alex said confidently.
‘Of course. And we will always welcome you home.’ Grayson replied with a nod. ‘But you all need to go somewhere quiet and safe to raise these boys.’
‘Wait, this isn’t goodbye.’ Quinn said, Jaden and Caiden both nodding vigorously in agreement.
‘It won’t be the same without you here.’ The older man said looking to his sons. ‘But you must go away from here, where it is quiet and safe.’
‘But…’
‘And look after my grandson. And my Leader.’ Grayson said with a sniffle. The twins were instantly in front of their father and piling on top of him, the three men hugging each other in a gale of tears.
‘Let’s go get ready.’ Alex whispered to his husband as the two men rose from the sofa quietly and disappeared outside.
‘Well, we could always move into the apartment until the renovations are completed?’ Alex suggested as he hiked the bundle of baby up onto his shoulder walking into the kitchen looking for the bottle of formula his mother had just made.
‘But what about Georgie and Gabriel?’ Quinn asked from the sofa.
‘Ah caro. You move in with me till it’s done, sì?’ Aurelia said with a smile.
‘What about us?’ Mikhail asked with a grin as he pulled Fabrizio into his side.
‘You too bambino. All of you.’ Mrs. Braddock said with a big smile.
‘Are you sure Mamma?’ Alex asked his mother as he returned to the living room and sat down beside his husband, baby tucked into the crook of his arm, a bottle in the small mouth.
‘Sì. You bring Callum and his one as well.’ Mrs. Braddock said, her smile increasing in size.
‘That’s a lot of people to have in your house, Mamma.’ Alex said, peering at his mother, trying his hardest not to read her mind.
‘It will be nice having you all there. And my nipote.’ Aurelia said with a soft smile for Kian. Alex smiled to himself and stood up, careful not to jostle the baby and walked to his mother. He leaned over and safely plopped the child into his mother’s arms where the maternal instincts of Mrs. Braddock took over.
‘He has the same eyes.’ Aurelia said, peering helplessly into the ice blue eyes of the child which focused on the woman carefully. A smile formed around the teat of the bottle it was suckling on. ‘I swear he knows who I am.’
‘I’m sure he does.’ Alex said, sitting back with his husband and pulling the blond into his side. ‘I wish I could have spoken with him, or the spirit at least, a little more about what to do.’
‘You’ll know what to do caro.’ Aurelia responded, still peering down into the blue eyes.
‘I guess. Lachlan never knew that he was reincarnated, do you think we should keep it that way?’ Alex queried of no one in particular.
‘Perhaps. If Lachlan didn’t know, then maybe Kian shouldn’t either?’ Quinn said softly.
‘Worry about that later bambino. You have several years yet.’ Aurelia said without taking her eyes off the child.
‘Alright then.’ Alex sighed. ‘Well, the guy from Papà’s building company will be here tomorrow morning to go over what we want done and if all goes to plan, renovations will start early next week.’
‘You’re renovating?’ Callum asked as he and Nikolai came into the lounge, both heads of hair standing on end from their slumber, the smallest Russian rubbing his eyes.
‘Yeah. We’re gonna need a lot more room to fit everyone in.’ Alex said with a smile as he patted the seat next to him, indicating for Callum to sit next to him. The Brit sat down and Nikolai plopped himself beside Alex’s cousin, leaning on the Brit’s shoulder. Aurelia and Mikhail both glanced surreptitiously to the two men and smiled to each other.
‘It’s not because of me or Nicky, right?’ Callum asked with concern.
‘Not at all cousin. We need the room, what with a new baby. And Mickey and Fabz need their space, so we thought we may as well just get it all over and done with. Lots of room for everyone.’ Alex said, snaking an arm behind his cousin and hugging him tenderly. Nikolai looked to the Brit and his Italian cousin just as Alex reached out a finger and stroked the man’s cheek gently, including him in the affection.
‘So what sort of renovations are we talking here?’ Callum asked as he snuggled into the warmth of his cousin, Nikolai cuddled into his other side.
‘Well, we’re gonna take out the wall between the two rooms upstairs and make that one large bedroom. The other room across the hall is gonna be turned into a nursery from Kian. And we’re also gonna build a three bedroom guest house down the back of the property for Mickey and Fabz. So, you and Nikolai can have the soon to be large room upstairs or a room out in the guest house with those two.’ Alex said indicating the large Russian and his lover.
‘Would you mind?’ Nikolai asked of his large friend.
‘Nyet!’ Mikhail said with a broad smile. ‘The more the merrier!’ He finished with a laugh.
‘I’m also gonna have the pool moved and re-sized. It’s gonna be in hot demand soon, and it’s hardly big enough.’ The Italian said with a smile.
‘And how long will that all take?’ Callum asked curiously.
‘I don’t know. We’ll find out tomorrow.’ The Italian laughed softly as Aurelia plucked the now empty bottle from Kian’s mouth and hefted the bundled baby onto her shoulder, alternately patting and rubbing his back.
‘He’s gonna be a porker the way he’s eating.’ Alex chuckled, watching his mother and the babe.
‘Even if he is, you’ll still love him.’ Aurelia gently chided her son with a mocking smile.
‘Sì Mamma.’ Alex grinned mischievously.
‘Your aunts want you to visit them.’ She said as the child passed his wind loudly. ‘And Franny wants to see her boys too.’
‘Maybe we can stop over tomorrow after the construction guy has been.’ Alex mused.
‘Or perhaps we can have lunch here?’ Quinn suggested thoughtfully.
‘Do you think they’d mind?’ Alex asked of his mother who had the baby cradled in her arms, gently rocking him to sleep.
‘I don’t see why not. Give them a call.’ Aurelia responded with a smile. Before Alex could extricate himself from the bundle of bodies on the sofa, Fabrizio had already pulled out his mobile phone and had it to his ear.
‘Hello Mamma.’ The youngest Italian said into the phone. ‘Sì Mamma. Sì.’ He said several times rolling his eyes.
‘Mamma, I called to ask if you and Papà wanted to come for lunch tomorrow.’ Fabrizio interrupted his mother. ‘Sì Mamma. You and Papa, Aunty G and Uncle Claudio.’
Everyone in the room was watching the youngest Italian with interest.
‘Grazie Mamma. See you at midday. Sì, I love you too.’ Fabrizio said disconnecting the call.
‘Might pay to text or call Giorgio and get them here tomorrow as well.’ Alex said to his youngest cousin, who began texting his older brother immediately.
‘Well, my darlings, I should be off.’ Aurelia said standing up carefully and walking toward her son. Bending over slightly she deposited the now sleeping baby into Alex’s arms and smiled. ‘Put him to bed caro.’
‘Sì Mamma.’ Alex nodded with a smile to his mother. ‘See you tomorrow at lunch?’ He asked.
‘I suppose.’ Aurelia said with a laugh as Quinn stood up and followed her to the front door.
‘See you tomorrow, Mamma.’ The blond said, embracing his mother in law tenderly.
‘Sì bambino.’ Mrs. Braddock said, releasing the young man and kissing him softly on the cheek. Opening the door, she stepped outside and off to her car as Quinn closed the front door quietly.
‘I’ll just put this one to bed.’ Alex said, standing up and heading to the stairs as Quinn went into the kitchen to make some lunch for everyone.
Having returned from the supermarket, Alex and Quinn were running over a small list of things they needed to do for lunch the following day. They had decided on making a roast meal; a leg of lamb, a piece of pork, two chickens and vegetables to accompany. Quinn had decided he was going to make a cheesecake for dessert and was apparently absent-mindedly staring through the kitchen window.
‘What you thinking about my love?’ Alex asked his husband from the kitchen island where he sat going over the list.
‘Hmm?’ Quinn mumbled after a few moments.
Alex flickered across the room and had his arms around the blond softly hugging him. ‘What are you looking at?’ He asked quietly as he followed the blond’s gaze through the window. He saw Mikhail, Fabrizio, Callum and Nikolai sitting in a lazy circle, Kian on his back in the middle, legs kicking happily in the air. ‘That’d make a gorgeous picture.’ The Italian said with a smile.
‘There’s something hovering above them.’ Quinn said tonelessly, his voice echoing slightly. Alex tightened his embrace and squinted at the group on the lawn.
‘Can I see?’ Alex asked. Quinn nodded affirmatively as the Italian connected telepathically with his husband and shared his unique spirit vision. Sure enough, hovering a few feet above the small group of people was a bright golden cloud, shimmering innocently in the late afternoon sun.
‘That’s not a normal spirit is it?’ Alex asked after a few moments.
‘It’s not a normal spirit. I… I think it might be…’ Quinn was unable to finish what he was going to say. In the blink of an eye, the golden cloud had condensed into a bright, shining golden sphere, about the size of an apple and shot toward the house, passing effortlessly through the pane of glass and hovering inches from the blond’s face. Gasping loudly, both men staggered backward in shock, Alex pulling his husband further away from the sphere and returning his arms around the blond protectively.
‘What the…?’ Alex was cut off with a telepathic shriek as the golden sphere exploded radiantly with flames of gold, yellow, white and red. Shielding their eyes from the light, Quinn and Alex peered cautiously at the magnificent Phoenix.
‘Custodians.’ The bird spoke in the unusual multi-toned voice that pressed in on the ears as well as pervaded the mind.
‘Er, hi.’ Quinn said after swallowing nervously, unsure how to address the Phoenix spirit.
‘Many names have I had. Many names have I been called.’ The Phoenix squawked softly to the two men in answer of Quinn’s unspoken question.
‘What do we call you?’ Alex asked curiously.
‘You know my name.’ The spirit said cryptically as it inclined its head and Quinn felt his soul being penetrated. Alex wasn’t aware of the interaction between the spirit and his husband until Quinn jolted slightly. Alex tightened his embrace as Quinn’s mouth opened slightly and a squawk sounded.
‘What?’ Alex said, squeezing Quinn slightly in a panic.
‘That’s its name.’ The blond said tonelessly, staring into the fiery eyes.
‘I didn’t hear anything. It squawked when you said it.’ The Italian said in mild frustration.
‘That was me, not him.’ Quinn said tonelessly, unable to break eye contact with the spirit.
‘What?’ Alex asked again. ‘You didn’t say anything.’
‘He spoke my name.’ The Phoenix said in its multi-faceted voice.
‘That squawk? If that’s your name, I can’t say it.’ The Italian said with a hint of pleading in his voice. Shaking his head as if waking up suddenly, Quinn smiled at the Phoenix.
‘Many names have I had, but I was most fond of Ra.’ The Phoenix said inclining his head politely to the two men.
‘Ra, the Sun God?’ Alex asked slightly baffled. The Firebird nodded briefly, turning its head to the side slightly, as if trying to listen carefully for something.
‘Wait. Wait, wait, wait!’ Alex said putting the pieces together. ‘Many names you’ve had and been called. Ra was your favourite.’ He opened and closed his mouth a few times comically, trying to form the words, whilst Quinn smiled serenely at the Firebird.
‘Yes.’ The Phoenix said.
‘You’re the Sun God? The Egyptian Sun God?’ Alex stammered breathlessly.
‘I am the Spirit that all have prayed to throughout man’s history. I am Lazondiil, Helios, Apollo, Hebat, Liza, Sol, Hepa, Sanrael, Lugh, Amaterasu, Zelando, Ra. I am the Sun.’ The Phoenix said, near drowning the Italian in confusion.
‘The… the… Sun?’ Alex stammered incoherently. Quinn chuckled in amusement at his husband’s confusion.
‘Alex, my love. He is The Sun. The Spirit of the Sun. The Spirit that all the Ancient cultures prayed to as their Sun God. Every single one of them. He is The Sun God.’ Quinn finished with a smile, finally coming out of his reverie and looking into the clouded blue eyes of his husband. Alex’s eyes pleaded silently of his husband, a silent cry for reason. Quinn’s smile hit full force, dazzling the Italian in its brilliance, momentarily clearing Alex’s mind of confusion.
‘Ra.’ Alex managed to croak eventually, turning to look at the Firebird, which nodded in acknowledgement.
‘Your hearts are pure. Good. You are the Custodians, the Guardians, and the rightful Parents of us. Follow your heart, follow your instincts and you will not fall.’ The Sun God said generating equal parts comfort and confusion in Alex, Quinn nodding with some odd sense of understanding.
‘Are you leaving?’ Alex asked nervously, unsure what was happening now.
‘I now join with the host. I join, comfort, protect, that which is He. We are, and will be until time ends, one.’ The Phoenix said softly, Quinn feeling and hearing the sense of completeness the Firebird felt when thinking of joining with Kian.
‘Will we see you again?’ Alex asked unsure of himself. The two men felt the laughter before they heard it.
‘Always. I am him.’ It responded in light amusement.
‘That’s not what…’ Alex began but was cut off.
‘I know. If the need should arise, I will address you in this form. But I foresee no reason to. You are both capable, powerful Guardians. You need no such communion with me.’ The Firebird said warmly. Alex was about to ask a question when the Phoenix’s mouth opened and Quinn clapped a hand around the Italian’s wrist softly.
‘Trust in the faith I bestow upon you. You will know what to do. Trust your instincts, trust your souls, and trust your love.’ The Phoenix said confidently and as if as an afterthought added, ‘Keep the companion close. Preston he has been christened. Keep them close together.’
‘We will.’ Quinn said softly looking into his husband’s eyes, the bright green eyes locking onto the bright blue eyes.
With a swirl of bright flames the Firebird squawked quietly and in the blink of an eye vanished through the kitchen window. Quinn, being in close proximity to the Spirit was still telepathically connected, in a sense, with the Firebird and could see the spirit light through the wall, as it came to an abrupt stop in the middle of the lawn, spinning on itself and becoming one with the spirit of his son, their son, Kian. A squeal of discomfort sounded from the lawn, along with the gasps of the four men outside. Alex and Quinn were outside and kneeling beside their son instantly, Quinn scooping Kian up into his arms swiftly, holding him to his chest and cuddling him softly.