Page 234 of Librarian

So I don’t look away from Pierce as I reply, “It’s hardly a conventional place to raise a child, but he would be loved…if that’s what you wanted.”

Something in his brow relaxes, but he remains guarded as he looks across at the others. The only people who aren’t here are Lambert and Leo. The former is probably at magiball practice and would never say no. The latter is still asleep in bed.

North shrugs, then kicks the bag at his feet lightly. “I mean, I didn’t lug all of this shit—err, stuff—here for you to kick the kid out.”

Dakari nods. “We owe Anthea for what she did with Mathias. If Kyrith’s okay with it, I say yes.”

“Aye. Only a heartless prick would toss out a wee-yin.” Jasper is already lifting little Theodore up into his arms, making the child squeal excitedly. “And he’s cute, for a Carlton.”

That he is.

As the round-faced little boy is carried closer, I find myself studying his features. The newest member of our family has asnotty nose, and I summon a tissue to wipe the mess away before I can stop myself.

“I’m sure childrearing has changed in the centuries since I was young,” I mutter under my breath as Jasper offers him to me. “I haven’t prepared for this.”

The weight of him settles into my bones. In spite of my uncertain words, it feels right.

The Arcanaeum summons a stack of books onto the reading desk closest to me. I don’t have to look at the titles to know that it’s probably every book we have on the subject of parenting.

My shoulders relax slightly. There has never been a problem that the Library didn’t have an answer for. This is a new chapter, but one that we’re more than capable of facing together.

The End