The Forbidden Trilogy(280)

"Dude, relax. You're going to sweat through your tux." Brad held Ana and cooed her, then placed her back in her crib. "She's changed and fed. She should last the service."

"Thanks. I owe you."

His best friend smiled. "Yeah, you do. She had a seriously stinky diaper. What are you feeding that girl?"

Drake laughed, amazed that he had so many people around him who cared for him and his little family.

Toby plopped on an overstuffed couch in the sitting room, and started to pull his feet up, but before Drake could chastise him, he corrected himself and dropped them to the ground. Drake smiled at him and Toby gave a lopsided grin, then turned away.

Drake messed with his tie again, and Brad sighed and walked over to help him. "You know, I'm no longer pissed at you."

Brad had been busy with interviews with paranormals, exposing more secrets in the Rent-A-Kid organization. They'd had to keep quiet about IPI's involvement, but they were able to tell everything else. Hunter's promotion had helped grease the wheels on all of that. Now, Brad was back for awhile, and Drake was happy to have his best friend again.

Drake smiled at him. "Really, why is that?"

"Because you made me your best man. Only a very intelligent sort of fellow would do that." Brad finished with the tie and patted his chest. "Now don't touch it, and if you need to wipe your sweaty hands, use a towel. You're staining your pants."

Drake chuckled, and in a private guy moment, reached out and hugged Brad. He felt like a beer commercial. "I love you, man."

Toby jumped up. "Yo, it's almost time."

Drake looked in the mirror again. "Right, just give me a sec, guys, okay?"

Brad and Toby looked at each other, shrugged, and left the room.

Drake sat down on the floor in the lotus position and took deep breaths. Lucy had been teaching him some of her techniques, and he found that he quite liked meditation. He also found that he and Lucy actually got along well, and had developed a routine of meditating early in the morning before anyone else got up. It helped him center himself, and gave him a peace that nothing else could, especially in the absence of surfing.

When he'd first told Sam he didn't want his powers back, he didn't know what that would feel like for him, long-term. He only knew he wanted Ana to have everything he could give, and he didn't want to take any chances in taking them away. Now he realized that the empty feeling he'd had without them hadn't been because of his powers at all, but because he wasn't dipping into the right source for his strength. With Lucy's help, he found that there were many kinds of strength, and he could now feel the energy of everything around him running through him when he focused.

A knock at the door interrupted him, but he'd settled enough for now. He rose. "Come in."

Father Patrick entered. "How are you, Son? I just wanted to see if you needed anything."

Drake hugged the old priest. "Thank you. I'm okay, I think. Is she still here? Does she still want to marry me?"

Father Patrick chuckled. "Of course, she does. You will make a beautiful family together. I'm very proud of you, Drake. So very proud."

The large window behind him opened and a draft blew in, along with Beleth.

Drake froze, ready to take the offensive if needed.

Father Patrick put a hand on him. "It's all right, boy. He means us no harm."

Beleth nodded to the priest and stepped forward. "I knew your mother. When she had you, I thought you were the most precious thing in the world. I begged her to keep you, but she decided, for your protection, to give you away and tell no one."

In that moment, everything clicked for Drake. "You're my father?"

He nodded. "Yes. I just recently found out. I'm so sorry you had the life you did, but I'm happy to know that you had people who loved you, and who looked after you."

Drake didn't know what to think or feel. "Why are you here?"

"I've done many things I regret, but now I have the chance to make them right." He walked toward Drake. "I have a gift for you, if you'll accept it."

Drake hesitated, but Father Patrick winked and nudged him forward.

"I accept."

"Then kneel," said Beleth.

Seriously? Drake would have felt sillier, if the moment hadn't felt so solemn. He knelt.

"Drake, son of Beleth, you have a history and lineage you cannot imagine. Someday you will know the truth of your past, but for now I give you a small gift that is rightfully yours as my heir." He touched Drake on the head, then pulled off a ring from his finger and handed it to him. "Take this, son, as a piece of your history."

The gold ring shone with intricate winged patterns on the sides and a striking blood stone in the center. He slipped it on the ring finger of his right hand, saving his left for his wedding ring.