Micah took a rag and went over the car inside and out, wiping away their fingerprints.
And then, ignoring her protests, he swung her into his arms and carried her and the baby home.
She was asleep by the time they reached the house.
Micah sat beside Lainey's bed, his son cradled in his arms. His son. He couldn't get over it - the miracle of life, the wonder of holding a child,his child.
He glanced at Lainey. She was sleeping peacefully, one hand pillowing her cheek. He thought of the physical pain she had gone through to bring his son into the world, the fear she'd experienced when Red abducted her, her courage in simply accepting him for who and what he was, for being willing to love him in spite of everything. She was a brave woman, with the heart of a warrior and the soul of an angel.
He gazed down at his son, lightly stroking the boy's downy cheek, fingering the thatch of curly black hair. Never in his life had he known such a sense of awe, such a feeling of protectiveness, as he felt now. He tried to imagine what the child's life would be like, but he couldn't imagine how it would be to grow up in a house instead of in a controlled environment, couldn't begin to fathom experiencing a mother's love and tenderness, a father's concern. How would his son feel when he learned that he was different from other children, that his father came from a faraway star?
Would his son be able to accept the fact that he was different, or would he resent it? And what of his physical differences? The size of his ears, the webbing on his hands, the slight slant of his eyes?
Micah stared out the window. And what of the power? Had his son inherited the inner power that Xanthians were blessed with? If he had, would Micah be able to teach him to use it with restraint? Would his son consider his innate power a curse, or a blessing?
So many questions, so many unknown factors to consider.
Glancing down, Micah saw the baby looking up at him, his expression strangely wise for one so young.
All in good time, his son seemed to be saying, and Micah smiled.
"All in good time," he repeated, determined to enjoy every moment he was allowed to spend with Lainey and their son, afraid, deep inside, that the day would come when he'd have to tell them both good-bye.
Lainey called her parents first thing the next morning. Dolores and Ralph were at the house less than thirty minutes later.
Dolores blinked back tears of joy and relief as she hugged her daughter. "Lainey, thank God, we were so worried. We called the police, but we had no idea where to tell them to look for you."
"It's all right Mom, I'm fine, honest. I'm just so glad it's all over."
Dolores nodded. "Oh! Ralph, did you remember to call the police and tell them she was home?"
Ralph nodded. "They thought I was nuts when I said she'd spent a couple nights at a friend's and we'd forgotten about it."
"Oh, Daddy," Lainey said, laughing. "Was that the best you could think of?"
"Shoot, I was lucky to think at all, what with being a new grandfather and all. Where's that grandson of mine?"
Micah went to make coffee while the new grandparents took turns holding their new grandson, counting his tiny fingers and toes, marveling over how perfect he was.
"He doesn't look much different from other new babies," Dolores remarked. "I don't think anyone will be able to tell he's..."
She glanced toward the kitchen, glad that Micah was out of the room. "It's still so hard to believe that he's an alien. I mean..." She made a dismissive gesture with her hand. "The baby looks perfectly normal except for that bit of webbing on his hands. His ears are only a tiny bit smaller than ordinary. And lots of people have eyes that slant a little."
"I can't help but worry, though," Ralph said. "What happens when he gets sick?''
Ralph looked up as Micah entered the room carrying a tray with four cups and the coffee pot. "We don't know how he'll react to normal childhood diseases like measles and chicken pox. I mean, they might be fatal."
"We'll just have to wait and see," Lainey said.
"My people have done numerous studies on such things," Micah remarked as he poured the coffee. "Our scientists have determined that a child born of an earthling and