“Never imagined?—”
“I know that too.”
He looked at her, green eyes glowing with wonder and gratitude and bone-deep happiness.
“Thank you,” he whispered. “For this. For her. For everything.”
She squeezed his hand. “You gave me everything too.”
“I gave you a broken doctor and an unstable monster.”
“You gave me love and safety. A home.” She touched his face. “A family.”
The purr deepened as Hyde responded. He was so close to the surface now, not because Victor was losing control, but because he didn’t need it anymore.
Angel stirred, murmuring in her sleep, and he froze. “She’s waking up.”
“She’s just dreaming.”
“Are you sure?”
“I’m sure.”
But he didn’t move, still watching Angel with those glowing green eyes, ready to respond to her slightest need. He was the best kind of father—present, attentive, and loving. Everything his own father hadn’t been. Everything he’d convinced himself he could never be.
Angel settled back into sleep, the tiny crease between her eyebrows smoothing out.
“See?” she said. “She’s fine.”
“This time.”
“Every time.”
He looked at her. “You’re very patient with me. Flora said I was being ridiculous.”
“Flora thinks everyone is ridiculous.”
“She said Hyde needs to calm down.”
She grinned at him. “Flora can mind her own business.”
He returned the smile. “You realize that you’re defending Hyde’s parenting.”
“Hyde’s parenting is excellent. Overzealous, maybe, but excellent.”
The purr turned satisfied, almost smug, but she understood that combination of new parent anxiety mixed with magic and monster instinct. It was a potent combination.
“All right,” he said finally. “I’ll put her down.”
“You don’t have to if you’re not ready.”
“I’m not, but she needs to sleep in her crib.”
He rose carefully, Angel still cradled against his chest. She watched him cross to the crib and settle their daughter onto the soft mattress and arrange her blanket just so. And then pause, his hand still hovering over Angel.
“Victor,” she said gently.
“I’m coming.”
