12

As they returned home, Chantal was still clinging to the infant in her arms and started issuing orders. They’d need a nursery, and she called Rosa, her Lady in Waiting, to get right on it. Rosa was surprised by the presence of the infant but didn’t ask any questions. Chantal told her to set up the nursery in the bedroom next to theirs, so she’d be close. Rosa nodded, and answered, “Yes, my lady,” as she scurried off.

Antonio appeared when he heard the commotion and tried not to look surprised to see his queen holding an infant. Lorenzo beamed back at him, as he gave him instructions. “The infant will remain in our room until the nursery is ready. Please fetch my father's old cradle from storage, Antonio."

The butler nodded and rushed to retrieve the old hand carved cradle. Lorenzo could already hear the buzz, as the news traveled through the castle that the master and his mate had returned with an infant. Lorenzo knew the news would travel fast, and he didn’t want his parents to hear this through the grapevine.

"Do you need help, cherie? I can send someone to help you. I think I need to call my father before news gets out."

Chantal didn’t want to relinquish the infant to anyone yet. "No, do what you need to do. I will send the staff into the city to buy some basics until I can shop for her properly. For now, I will take her upstairs and get her settled.” She turned to go upstairs but stopped and returned to him. "You have made me so happy, Lorenzo. I love her already."

Lorenzo loved the look on her face. Unlike Cory, this half-breed wouldn’t have to struggle on the streets. This infant would be raised as if she were born to them, and never know the shame of being a half-breed. He couldn’t be more proud of her, than he was right now.

“I can see that cherie, and I have never loved you more. Go, take care of your daughter, and I will handle this."

She looked up at him. "Our daughter, Lorenzo, she is ours. We will love her together." She smiled and kissed him before heading up the stairs to set things into motion.

"Si, our daughter, cherie." Lorenzo checked the time as he headed for his office. It was getting close to sunset in the States and his father would be waking soon anyway. He touched the wide computer screen, and the automated voice inquired what he needed. “Call my father." The computer dialed up his father, and as he answered, he could see the image of his father, pulled from his slumber, and his mother sleeping next to him.

***

Shade heard the soft trill of the call coming through and knew that only his children would call at this hour. His death slumber was light, as it was getting near sunset, and he pulled himself awake to see Lorenzo’s image on the screen. He always felt a sense of foreboding when the children called during his death slumber. He felt Kate stir next to him. "Son, everything okay? Something happen?"

Lorenzo held up his hand. "I think it’s safe to say something has happened, but it’s nothing I wish to discuss on the phone. I know this is short notice, but if you could both come to Castello as soon as possible, I’d be most grateful."

Shade sat straight up in bed, as Kate tumbled from his chest, and shook the sleep from her eyes. "I do not like the sounds of this, Lorenzo. Is Chantal in any danger? Cazzo. We will be there as soon as the sun sets here. Just tell me everyone is safe?"

Lorenzo smiled at him. "Everyone is safe, I promise you. There’s no danger, so please don’t worry. This is just not something I want to discuss on the phone. Please come as soon as you can."

Shade sighed with relief but was still not comforted. "Fine, we will be there." The computer screen went blank, and he turned to look at Kate who was sitting up, staring at him with a worried look on her face. He reached over and turned on the light beside the bed. "You okay, bel? What the hell could this be about?"

Kate bit at her lip. "Do you think this has anything to do with his recent visit? Lover, you don't think he’d release Chantal, do you?"

Shade felt a wave of sadness wash over him. That would be disastrous for them all if Lorenzo had released her. He couldn’t fathom his son’s desperation. "When he left here, he seemed fine. He understood without a doubt what he needed to do. He didn’t sound like it was something he couldn’t turn around. Cazzo. Do you think Sophia knows anything?"

"They’re close, and I know she holds his confidences, but if something like that happened, she wouldn't keep it from us. Better to just go and find out what's going on than to try to guess. We'll just drive ourselves crazy."

The sound of the soft whir of the blinds opening filled the quiet room. "Well, isn’t that perfect timing? Let’s get dressed and teleport to Florence." As they both scurried to get ready, Shade sent a telepathic message to Luca, letting him know they were leaving. Kate was still pulling on her boots when he grabbed her hand and they teleported, uncertain of what they’d find at Castello.

Kate gripped his hand as they traveled at a rate of speed that was faster than usual and landed in the grand foyer at Castello. She finished zipping up her boot, hopping on one foot as the staff was running about helter-skelter in a flurry of activity. They were in such a rush they appeared not to notice the sudden appearance of Shade and Kate. What’s going on? Kate called out to her son, “Lorenzo?"

Lorenzo appeared on the stairs with a smile on his face. “Come upstairs. I have something to show you."

Kate looked at him questioningly. He seemed genuinely happy, but she couldn’t for the life of her figure out what would be so urgent that he’d summon them here. She tugged at Shade's arm, as they headed for the stairs and followed their son back to the suite he now shared with his mate. As they approached the closed door, Lorenzo looked over his shoulder and flashed a sly grin. Kate was getting annoyed.

"This better be good, Lorenzo."

Shade was more confused than ever. The entire house was like a zoo. What could be going on that had the whole household in an uproar. He scowled at his son. "Oh, this better be more than good!”

As Lorenzo opened the door, what Shade saw was even more confusing. Chantal was seated in a chair, cradling an infant in her arms. The newborn wore a long gown of the palest blush pink, with white satin rosettes sewn along the hem. There were tiny pink satin slippers, adorned with the same satin rosettes, on her feet, and a tiny pink ribbon attached to her wispy fine hair.

Kate saw Chantal holding a small infant in her arms and entered the room quietly, so as not to disturb the sleeping baby. She peered over the soft pink blanket lying loosely around the infant and looked at her angelic face. She touched the baby's chubby cheek with her fingertips. "What a beautiful baby." She was still confused and wondering why their son called them here, but figured he’d reveal his secret in good time. At least there didn’t appear to be any problems between him and his mate. “Are you looking after the baby for someone?"

Chantal watched Kate softly touch Grace and she knew her response to this adoption would be a positive one. "No. May I present to you, your granddaughter, Grace Medici."

Just then, Grace opened her eyes and blinked, her small hands waving about in the air. "Mon petite, meet your grand-mere, this is Queen Bee, or as your brothers call her, Bebe." Chantal raised her eyes to Kate and waited for her response.

Kate looked startled. "My...grandchild? I don't understand. You were pregnant?"

Shade had no idea what the hell was going on, but he knew one thing for certain, this infant was a half-breed. He took a few steps closer, and then stopped. He looked at Lorenzo who had this stupid wicked grin on his face.

"Mi amore, the child is a half-breed. And son, you better explain immediately what this is all about."

Grace began to cry, startled by Shade's loud voice. Lorenzo chuckled. "Lower your voice, please. You're scaring your granddaughter. We were summoned to Council by Malachi. It seems the infant was left on their doorstep a few days ago. No vampire stepped forward to claim her, so they were prepared to destroy her."

Kate gasped and placed her hand at her throat. "Destroy her? I don't understand. Cory wasn't destroyed."

Lorenzo shook his head. “Cory was raised by his mortal mother, or at least, she tried to raise him. He wasn’t abandoned to Council. I doubt Rachael even knew anything about the Council back then. We didn’t have a U.S. Council, and she’d have had no way to get to Italy. But half-breeds who aren’t claimed by either the mortal mother or vampire father are sometimes left at the gate of Council. It’s considered the humane thing to do."

Kate couldn’t believe what she was hearing. She’d been turned for more than a hundred years, and she’d never heard of this. “That’s not humane. That’s barbaric! Who would harm an infant?"

Lorenzo nodded. "And it’s why you have a new granddaughter. Chantal wouldn’t allow the infant to be destroyed either. She’s been adopted. Her name is Grace Medici." Lorenzo looked at his father, waiting for his response.

Shade answered in a soft voice, "May I hold my granddaughter?"

Chantal hesitated for a moment before relinquishing the infant. She placed Grace into his muscled arms. It was always such a sight to see a large warrior hold such a small bundle in his arms. Shade looked down at the wiggling infant and saw the most beautiful face. She was tiny and frail, as was common with half-breeds. He wondered if she knew her life had been spared today.

"Well, are you not beautiful, si? I am Papa Bear, or as my other grandchildren call me, P-bear. You are my little angel."

Grace stopped wiggling and cooed up at him.

"I haven’t heard that beautiful sound in a very long time. Welcome to Medici."

He turned to his son. "They would have destroyed her, without another thought. I am proud of you both for taking on this responsibility. She will be loved, si?" Walking to Kate, he kissed her softly. "I think you should hold your new granddaughter, Bebe."

As Shade slid the baby into Kate's arms, Lorenzo cleared his throat. “Well, uh, there's more to the story. We told Malachi we’d accept any half-breed abandoned to Council, so I hope you have love enough for those that may follow."

Shade spun around to look at Chantal and Lorenzo. "I would love them all, but I hope you know what you got yourselves into. You both agreed to this?"

It was Chantal who answered. "Oui. They did not ask to be born, and they cannot control what happens around them. No child should have to suffer because of our ridiculous rules. Castello is large, and we can certainly care for them, no matter how many. I hope Natalia can perhaps change how the Council sees these children. It is something I wish to see changed."

Shade smiled at her. "I am very proud to call you my daughter-in-law. Spoken like a true Medici Queen. I know Natalia is working on changing the minds and policies in the States, as it relates to our females having equal power. I see no reason why she would not advocate for this change as well. Cory is a perfect example of what the half-breeds can accomplish when loved and given the proper home.”

Shade stood next to Kate, peering down at the small infant in her arms, as Lorenzo slid his arm around Chantal’s waist, pulling her close. Lorenzo kissed the top of her head. “You made the right decision, cherie.”