Chapter 17 #2
I carried Teddy to the bathroom, setting him down gently on the counter.
His face was streaked with dirt and tears, tracks cutting through the grime, his clothes dusty and torn.
As I ran a warm washcloth over his face, wiping away the evidence of the night's horrors, his bottom lip trembled.
My tail stroked gently along his back, offering comfort in the way of a Stranac, a soothing rhythm that seemed to calm his trembling.
"It's okay," I murmured, my voice low and soothing. "You're safe now. Everything is okay."
I helped him out of his dirty clothes and into his pajamas—soft blue ones with little spaceships on them, the fabric worn and familiar. His movements were mechanical, like he was somewhere far away in his head, processing things no child should have to witness.
When we came back to the living room, Mei had Ruby settled with a steaming cup of tea, the herbal scent filling the air, another blanket tucked around her shoulders.
The bruises on Ruby's throat were already darkening, spreading like ink beneath her skin, and I felt that familiar rage simmer in my chest. But Peanut was dead.
The moment he put his hands on my mate sealed his fate.
I'd snapped his neck without a second thought.
He couldn't hurt her anymore. He couldn't hurt anyone anymore.
Teddy immediately climbed onto the couch next to Ruby, curling into her side. She wrapped her arms around him, wincing slightly but not letting go.
Mei straightened, brushing her hands on her pants. "I should go and let you all rest."
"Mei," Ruby said, her voice hoarse but sincere. "Thank you. For everything."
Mei's eyes glistened, fresh tears threatening to spill. She moved to Ruby first, bending down to hug her carefully, mindful of her injuries. "You're my best friend. I'd do anything for you."
Then she turned to Teddy, pressing a kiss to the top of his head. "You're so brave, little man."
Finally, she looked at me, her expression complex—gratitude and relief and something deeper. For a moment, I thought she would just nod and leave, but then she stepped forward and wrapped her arms around me in a tight hug, surprising me with its intensity.
I stiffened, then slowly returned the embrace, feeling the tremor in her shoulders.
"Take care of them," she whispered against my chest, her voice fierce. "They need you."
"I will," I promised, the words a vow. "With my life."
She pulled back, wiping her eyes. "I know you will."
As she headed for the door, I followed. "Mei."
She turned back, her hand on the doorframe.
"Thank you," I said, meaning it with everything in me. "For being there for them."
She smiled, sad but genuine. "That's what family does."
And then she was gone, the door closing softly behind her.
I turned back to find Ruby and Teddy watching me from the couch. Ruby's eyes were red-rimmed and exhausted, dark circles already forming beneath them. Teddy looked small and lost, his face pale against the colorful cushions.
I crossed the room and sat down on Teddy's other side, completing the circle. My tail immediately wound around both of them, pulling them closer. For a long moment, none of us spoke. We just sat there, breathing, being together, letting the silence heal us.
Then Teddy's small voice broke the quiet, fragile as glass.
"Mama got hurt 'cause of me."
Ruby's head snapped toward him, her eyes wide with alarm. "What? No, baby—" Her voice was raspy, but firm.
"It is," Teddy insisted, his voice cracking, tears welling in his eyes. "It's all my fault."
I leaned forward, placing a finger under his chin, tipping his gaze to mine. "Why would you think that, Teddy?"
His bottom lip trembled, his whole body shaking. "Because I ran away."
"Why did you run away?" I asked, keeping my tone even.
Teddy's eyes filled with tears that spilled over, tracking down his cheeks. "That lady... she said... she said you're my father."
The words hung in the air, heavy and dangerous.
Ruby's breath caught, sharp and audible. I felt my chest tighten. We shared a glance, and there was no doubt we both believed the lady to be Charlene. Any ounce of pity I felt for killing her brother evaporated.
"She said you didn't tell me 'cause you didn't want me," Teddy continued, his voice small and broken, each word a knife to my heart.
"Oh, Teddy," Ruby whispered, pulling him closer, her own tears falling freely.
I reached out, placing my hand on Teddy's small shoulder. He looked up at me with those eyes—my eyes—filled with confusion and hurt and a desperate need for answers.
"Teddy," I said, my voice thick with everything I was feeling. "That lady was half right."
Ruby's eyes widened, but I pressed on, knowing this needed to be said.
"I am your father. But the lady was wrong about me not wanting you. And I'm sorry we didn't tell you sooner."
Teddy stared at me, his mouth opening slightly, his eyes going wide. "Why didn't you?" The question was so simple, so heartbreaking.
Ruby and I exchanged a look, a whole conversation passing between us in that glance. How did you explain something this complicated to a four-year-old?
Ruby took a shaky breath, gathering herself. "Baby, a long time ago, before you were born, Mama was in trouble. Bad people were after me, and I was very scared."
"What kind of trouble?" Teddy asked, his brow furrowing.
"The kind where I needed help," Ruby said, carefully choosing her words. "And Cristox... your dad... he saved me. He rescued me and kept me safe."
I picked up the thread, my voice soft. "Your mama and I only had one night together, Teddy. Just one night. But it was enough."
"Enough for what?" Teddy's brow furrowed deeper as he tried to comprehend.
"Enough to fall in love," Ruby said softly, her eyes meeting mine, the truth of it shining there like starlight. "And enough to put you in my tummy."
My heart stuttered at her words, at the open honesty in her gaze. She loved me. She'd loved me from that very first night.
Teddy's eyes went wide, processing the revelation. "Really?"
"Really," I confirmed, my gaze never leaving Ruby's.
"But why didn't you stay?" Teddy asked me, his voice breaking, the question he'd been holding inside for so long finally emerging. "Why did you leave?"
This was the hard part. I pulled him onto my lap, his small body fitting perfectly against mine. My tail wrapped protectively around his waist, holding him securely.
"I thought your mama had gone back to Earth," I said, my voice thick with regret. "I didn't know she was here. I didn't know you existed. And Teddy, I need you to understand something very important."
He looked at me with those trusting eyes, so open, so vulnerable. My eyes.
"If I had known—if I had known your mama was here, if I had known about you—nothing in this entire universe could have kept me away. Nothing. Do you understand?"
Teddy's chin wobbled, his eyes searching my face. "You didn't know about me?"
"I didn't know," I said, the words heavy with all the lost time, all the moments I'd missed. "But I know now. And I'm here. And I'm not going anywhere. Ever."
"Promise?" The word was so small, so hopeful.
"I promise," I said firmly, pouring every ounce of conviction into those two words. “I’m sorry we didn’t tell you before, but I wanted to give you time… time to make sure you liked me.”
My cub’s eyes met mine with hesitation. “I love you.”
"I love you too, Teddy,” I said, my heart squeezing. “I love your mama. We're together now. A family. And that's how we're staying."
Teddy was quiet for a moment, processing, his small mind working through everything we'd told him. Then he looked between Ruby and me, his expression serious.
"You're not gonna leave again?" he asked, his voice barely a whisper.
"No," I said without hesitation. "Never. You're stuck with me now, buddy."
"Forever?"
"Forever."
Teddy bit his lip, then said with all the seriousness only a four-year-old could muster, "You need to marry my mama."
Ruby let out a surprised laugh that turned into a sob, her hand flying to her mouth. I felt my own eyes burning.
"You know what, Teddy?" I said, my voice rough. "Nothing would make me happier."
"Really?" Teddy's face lit up, hope blooming there like a flower after rain.
"Really," I confirmed, looking at Ruby. Her eyes were sparkling with tears, but she was smiling, radiant despite everything.
"Is that okay with you, Mama?" Teddy asked, looking between us.
Ruby cupped his face in her hands, her touch gentle and loving. "That's more than okay, baby. That's perfect."
Teddy yawned suddenly, his body shuddering with it, the adrenaline finally dissipating. "I'm tired."
"Let's get you to bed," I said, starting to stand, preparing to carry him.
"No," Teddy said, grabbing both of us with surprising strength, his small hands clutching at our clothes. "All of us. Together."
I looked at Ruby, a question in my eyes. She nodded, understanding passing between us, something warm and profound settling in the space between our gazes.
I scooped Teddy up, and Ruby leaned on me as we made our way to the small bedroom. The bed was barely big enough for one adult, let alone two adults and a child, but we made it work.
Ruby lay down first, and Teddy curled into her side, fitting perfectly into the curve of her body.
I stretched out on Teddy's other side, my arm reaching over both of them, encompassing them, protecting them.
My tail wound around them both, the tip resting gently against Ruby's hip, a physical connection that satisfied something primal deep inside me.
"Love you, Mama," Teddy mumbled, already half asleep, his words slurring together.
"Love you too, baby," Ruby whispered, pressing a kiss to his forehead.
"Love you, Daddy," Teddy said, the word so natural, so right, like he'd been waiting his whole life to say it.
My throat closed up, emotion overwhelming me. "Love you too, son."
Within minutes, Teddy was asleep, his breathing deep and even. Ruby's eyes met mine over his head, shining in the darkness.
"We're really doing this?" she whispered, her voice full of wonder and disbelief, like she was afraid this moment might shatter if she spoke too loudly.
"We're really doing this," I confirmed, my voice steady and sure, filled with a certainty I'd never felt about anything else in my life.
She smiled, her eyes drifting closed, peace settling over her features. "Together."
"Together," I echoed, the word a vow.
I lay there in the darkness, listening to them breathe, feeling the weight and warmth of my family pressed against me. My cub. My mate. Mine to protect, mine to love, mine to keep safe.
And as sleep finally claimed me, pulling me under into dreams, I knew with absolute certainty that I was exactly where I was meant to be. Home.