Page 114 of Broken Souls

Axe's eyes go wide and he seems to lose his breath. His lips keep parting like he wants to say something but he's stupefied.

“What?” He manages to get a word out.

“She sent me back to you,” I tell him, his eyes watering. He grabs me in his arms and doesn't let go. His breathing is heavy on my neck. I wrap my fragile self around him as tight as I can. “She's at peace, Axe.”

I somehow know she went to her light once I came back. She might have said I was Axe's angel but she was mine.

“Where's my son?” I pull away from him.

“He's in the next room. My family is with him. I'll mind link Carson to bring him in.”

Within a minute, Carson comes in carrying my boy. Dash, Mandy and Manson walk in behind her and Lizzy follows. Lizzy's eyes meet mine and I can see the relief flood through her.

“Elora, we were so scared.” Carson's eyes are cloudy. She's been crying too.

She gently places my son in my arms and I cradle him tightly to my body. I look down at the little boy in my arms. He's got brown eyes like Axe yet it's like he has a glowing amber shine like my eyes. His eyes connect with mine and I'm crashed with a wave of emotions. I let out a sob as I stare at the beautiful creation I made, with Axe, in my arms. He's my son. Throughout my life, I would never have thought I could be here and feel this. Through all my pain, I made something innocent, something beautiful, something I can be proud of. The love that fills my heart is more than I can bear.

“I'm sorry you've gone through so much pain in your life, but I promise from this moment forward, I'll protect you.” Axe leans against the bed and stares at our boy and then looks at me.

“Axe, I know you'd do anything for me. You can't control nature. What happened was something no one could have protected me from,” I tell him.

“I don't care what nature does. I would figure out a way to move mountains if that's what I needed to do to protect you,” Axe says with so much truth in his voice.

“Elora.” I turn my attention to Manson, stunned that he's talking to me. “You're taking care of my son and you're taking care of my grandson. I apologise for my asperity but my ways have been infused in my DNA. They most likely won't change but I'm grateful you saved my son.”

“Thank you,” I whisper.

Mandy smiles proudly and kisses Manson's cheek. Axe smiles too, looking surprised but relaxed. Manson will always be a formal man but at least I know he doesn't hate me now.

“What do you say all of you get together and I'll take a family photo?” Dash suggests, pulling out his phone.

Axe stands beside me leaning close to the baby, Lizzy sits on the bed with me, Carson and Mandy and Manson squeeze in next to Axe. Dash takes a photo.

“Elora, I know he's cute but you have to look up into the camera,” Dash teases.

As hard as it is I peel my gaze away from my boy and look up and smile at the camera. Dash takes a few photos. Mandy and Manson say they'll visit when we've settled back at home. Carson kisses my cheek, hugs Axe and follows after her parents. Dash congratulates us and goes.

“Do you want some alone time?” Lizzy asks.

“I'm tired,” I say.

“Lizzy, you can stay the night at our house. Use one of the guest rooms in the left hallway upstairs,” Axe says, clearly not wanting her to go into Alina's room.

“Thank you, Axe.” She turns to me. “I love you so much Elora, and I'm so proud of you.” She tears up and presses her lips to my forehead. “I'm happy you let me be a part of your life and your baby's.”

“I love you, Mum.”

Chapter Seventy-Two

Isleep after everyone leaves. Axe takes our baby and sits in the chair. When I wake up, the baby is in the little glass crib beside my bed and Axe is sleeping awkwardly in the chair. Instead of waking him, I mind link Dash to come see me. He's here straight away.

“How are you feeling?” Dash asks, his eyes swirling with concern.

“I feel better after sleeping.”

“You've survived the most painful experiences. You're an amazing person.” Dash smiles and places his hand on mine.

“I couldn't have done it without Axe by my side.” I glance at Axe.