two ounces, was not a whelp, but he was perfect. From the swirl of dark hair on his head to his
ten tiny toes, there was not a thing about him Hugh would change. According to Finch—who
was far smarter than Hugh would ever be—babies only started to resemble their parents at
around the three-week mark, when they became less wrinkly and red and more adorably
round. It didn’t stop Hugh from seeing echoes of Finch in his tiny button nose and in the shape
of his lips.
“He’s just like you,” Hugh told Finch proudly when all non-resident Drakes had been shown
from the room. “Do you see it, Finch? Do you see the resemblance? I know you said it’s too
early, but I swear, it’s there. He’ll grow up to be every bit as gorgeous as you, I can already
tell.”
Theodore, who was cradled in Finch’s arms, opened and closed his mouth soundlessly. Hugh,
smitten with every little thing he did, cuddled closer to Finch’s side and stroked his son’s dark
hair. His earlier buzz had, thankfully, started to wear off. All that remained was a dopey kind of
cheerfulness that amplified his current mood.
“Do you think so?” Finch smiled down at Theodore. “If that’s the case, I hope he inherits your
charm.”
“But with your sharp wit and intellect,” Hugh was quick to add. “Oh, the things he’ll accomplish
in life. I can hardly wait to see. We should set up a college fund—no, two of them. Three?
Finch, how often does a young man go to college? I’m afraid education was never a top priority
of mine, and even had it been, so much has changed since I was of schooling age that I doubt
my experience would be much of a help at all.”
“Sir, you are in possession of a hoard. A college fund won’t be necessary.”
“Are you saying college costs a hoard’s weight in gold?” Hugh’s eyes bulged. “Good lord, how
does Rey sleep at night?”
“No, sir.” Finch chuckled. “College is expensive, but even if we had eleven children enrolled in
the finest institutions in the world, it wouldn’t put a dent in your net worth.”
“Ah. Good. And we will send Theodore to the finest institutions, won’t we?”
“If it’s what he wants.”
“Yes. Yes, of course. As long as it’s what he wants.” Hugh introduced his pinkie finger to
Theodore’s hand and was delighted when he grasped it. The boy was small, but his grip was