Page 24 of Silent Knight: Alexander

“And I have never had a child come back from the dead.”

Alex sat on the edge of the bed and fell into his mother’s arms. Both of them wept tears of joy. Alex had never cried before, and now he made up for holding in his emotions for the last twenty-two years.

“It is a miracle,” said Summer, holding him and kissing him, not wanting to let him go. “You are alive. I prayed every day since the day I lost you, hoping your little soul went to Heaven. I am furious with Crandell for doing what he did, but I am ever so thankful he told you the truth before he died.”

“And so am I,” said Alex, pulling back to look at his mother’s beautiful face. He reached out and used his hand to wipe the tears from her cheeks.

“How does it feel for you, Son?”

“I am still overwhelmed and not sure I believe this.”

“It’s true, Peter. You are alive. I didn’t lose you after all. I couldn’t be happier.”

“Peter,” he said, dropping his hand to the bed in thought.

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have called you Peter. Your name is Alex.”

“Aye, it is what I’m used to. However, it is also a lie. I am not sure what to call myself.”

“Well, whatever name you decide on is fine with me,” she told him with a smile. “All that matters, is that you are alive again.”

“I think, if you don’t mind, I’d like to be called Alexander Peter Mowbray.”

“I love it,” she said, reaching over and taking his face in her hands and kissing him again. “I can’t wait to tell my sisters, Spring, Autumn, and Winter.”

“I have aunts named after the seasons?” he asked with a chuckle.

“Not only that, but you have uncles that are the Legendary Bastards of the Crown.”

“I know of them,” said Alex. “And I am honored to be related to everyone you just mentioned.”

The door opened a crack. Claire stuck her head into the room. “Mother? Are you going to make the rest of your children stand out in the corridor all day or can we come in, too?”

“Come in, my family,” said Summer, holding out her arms. “I want all my children with me.”

Everyone piled into the room and sat on the bed with Summer. Little Robert crawled over and sat on her lap.

“I still can’t believe I have another brother,” said Claire. “One was more than enough.”

“Good thing I know you are jesting,” said Dominick.

“Can I come in, too?” asked Charlotte’s mother, Lady Ann.

“Please do,” said Summer.

“I’ve heardyou are Peter Mowbray,” said Lady Ann.

“He is going to be called Alex,” Summer interjected.

“Alexander Peter Mowbray,” he said, liking the way it sounded. “So, if I can ask, just to get this correct – Regina, Dominick, and myself have the same father, the late baron Norbert Mowbray. But Claire’s father is Warren.”

“That’s right,” said Claire proudly. “I am the only child from the union of Lady Summer and Lord Warren.”

Warren cleared his throat and looked over at Summer. “Well, Claire, I don’t want to disappoint you, but that might be changing soon.”

“What do you mean?” she asked.

“It’s another miracle,” said Summer. “I didn’t believe it was true, but the healer said one of the reasons I fainted was because . . . because I am pregnant again.”