Wrapped securely in a soft baby blanket, Noah rested comfortably in Alie’s arms. As she finally stepped down from the private jet onto the tarmac, she found Gabriel waiting for them in the cold night air.
"Gabriel!" A bright smile instantly lit up her face as she walked quickly toward him. The gap between them closed, and Gabriel pulled her into a warm embrace, carefully ensuring he didn’t disturb Noah’s deep sleep.
"Let hold Noah," he whispered against her hair. Alie carefully shifted Noah’s sleeping body into Gabriel’s waiting arms. Gabriel instantly adjusted the blanket, securing it snugly around the baby before they moved toward the car.
Karn sat in the front passenger seat after efficiently placing their bags into the trunk.
"There were no difficulties during the flight, were there?" Gabriel inquired softly, glancing back at Alie.
"No, the flight was perfectly smooth," Alie answered. "Gabriel, I have never seen you look this anxious."
"I’m not anxious," Gabriel denied instantly, perhaps too quickly. "I am only worried for Carlos. But," he added, his voice gaining a forced strength, "I also believe he will find a way to move on."
"Hmm," Alie murmured, choosing not to press the issue of his anxiety. Instead, she leaned her head against Gabriel’s shoulder, seeking the comfort of his presence and silently wishing for the long journey to end soon.
Two hours later, the car finally pulled up in front of the sweeping, grand house. Carlos was waiting for them on the porch. As they all exited the car, Alie hurried over to him and hugged him tightly, instantly wrapping him in a fierce embrace. Carlos held her in return, bringing his hands up to steady her back.
"I’ve finally co to your place, Carlos," Alie stated, pulling back just enough to look into his weary eyes.
"Yes," Alie confird, her smile warm. Gabriel stopped by her side, carefully holding the sleeping baby, and Carlos gazed down at Noah’s peaceful, small form.
"You said it would be a boy," Gabriel noted, his smile soft and proud as he looked at Carlos.
"Well, the vision worked this ti," Carlos answered quietly, then shifted his attention to Karn. Shaking hands with him, he said, "Let’s go inside then, it’s freezing out here."
Everyone nodded and moved into the house. They stopped in the spacious, silent living room when Alie imdiately turned to Carlos and asked, her voice hushed with concern, "Carlos, how is your grandmother doing?"
"Grandma isn’t well, Alie," Carlos said, his voice flat with weariness. "She’s currently resting in her room."
"I would like to see her," Alie stated gently but firmly. "If she’s awake, that is."
"Of course! Follow ," he said, turning imdiately to lead the way. Gabriel and Karn remained behind in the living room with the sleeping Noah, respecting the need for quiet, while Alie followed Carlos into a dimly lit hallway.
As they both entered the room, Alie was deeply shocked by the old lady’s fragile form. Ravenna looked incredibly weak and sickly. Her eyes were currently closed, but the steady rise and fall of her chest confird her heart was still beating.
"Grandma, look who has co to see you," Carlos said softly, bending low over the bed.
Ravenna slowly opened her eyes. After a mont of adjustnt, she saw Alie. A genuine, gentle smile ford on her lips, and she weakly extended her hands to hold Alie’s. Alie was quick to sit on the edge of the bed before the old lady, imdiately holding Ravenna’s rough, warm hands in her own.
"Your hands are cold, dear," Ravenna observed, her voice barely a whisper.
"That must be because I just arrived from a long flight," Alie replied, trying to sound cheerful. "I couldn’t bring anything proper for you."
"You’ve co, and that’s enough for ," Ravenna stated simply. Her weary, rough hands gently caressed Alie’s. "How is Noah doing? Did you not bring the boy with you?"
"He has also co, Grandma. Right now, he’s with Gabriel," Alie replied, tilting her head as she sensed Gabriel’s protective presence nearing the room.
Just then, a soft knock occurred on the door. Both Gabriel and Karn walked in, with the peacefully sleeping pup held securely in Gabriel’s arms. Gabriel stopped by Alie’s side and gently lowered Noah into her embrace. She held him protectively as Carlos helped adjust his grandmother to sit up higher against the pillows.
"Noah is sleeping at the mont," Alie replied, already beginning to carefully offer him closer toward Ravenna so she could see him up close.
The old lady gently caressed the boy’s forehead before placing her hand over his tiny head. "Blessed with the Moon Goddess. I can see he’s your greatest protector, Alie. He is the very reason, despite the curse, you could finally find your mate," she whispered, her weary eyes glancing montarily at Gabriel.
Alie smiled warmly, deeply touched to hear that. "Thank you for giving your blessings to Noah," she said, preparing to return the baby to Gabriel.
"Wait a minute," Ravenna interjected softly. Carlos swiftly moved to a nearby cupboard and took out a small box made of aged brass. He brought it quickly to his grandmother and opened it for her. Inside, resting on velvet, was a protective charm: a simple black thread with a single pearl hanging from it.
"This is to protect him from any danger," Ravenna explained, her fingers working carefully as she fastened the charm around Noah’s tiny wrist. "When he grows up, shift the pearl onto another black thread, but ensure it stays on him until he reaches the age of sixteen."
"I understand, Grandma. I will," Alie replied seriously, appreciating the depth of the gift.
Noah’s eyelids fluttered slightly, but thankfully, his deep sleep remained undisturbed.
"I’ll take the boy to a room now. You two need ti to talk," Gabriel opined, stepping forward and taking Noah gently from Alie’s embrace. He and Karn then quietly left the room, leaving Alie and Carlos alone with Ravenna.
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