Page 51 of Claimed By the Guardian

Cecilia noticed, too, and she gestured for Abby to come to the girl’s side. Meanwhile, Hank pulled the curtains closed. This was a moment for privacy. And as they watched, both parents gripped their daughter’s clawed hands, but Abby was the one who spoke as she stroked her hand over her daughter’s eyes. She kept them closed as she murmured into the girl’s ear.

“Hey, honey, I’m back. It’s Mom.”

Brittany took a deep breath and started to move, but Abby kept her from opening her eyes. “Don’t wake up, honey. Not just yet. Just listen to my voice, okay?”

She didn’t really wait for an answer, but Brittany must have heard because she stayed quiet except for how she tried to snuggle tighter toward her mother.

“I’m just going to talk to you for a bit,” Abby said.

Hank whispered. “Climb into the bed with her. She needs to smell you.”

Mr. Randolph frowned at that, but didn’t argue. He helped his wife climb in and settle beside their child. Pretty soon she had Brittany snuggled against her chest as she stroked across the girl’s forehead.

“Do you know what I’ve been thinking about?” Abby asked. “I’ve been remembering that day you won the mathlete regionals. Do you remember? The trophy was so heavy you almost dropped it. What was that boy’s name who caught it? The captain of the team? The one who asked you out to the movies to celebrate? George? Jeremy? John?”

“Jordan.” The name was mumbled but it came out clear enough.

“That’s it. My God, you must have gone through half my makeup that night.”

“Did not. I have my own.” The girl’s voice was stronger now, still slurred from the drugs, but definitely conscious.

“And then you came in and got mine. I tried to help you, but you said I had the stroke wrong. Like you’re supposed to circle blush on or something.”

“Mmm-hmm.”

“A circle, honey? Come on. It’s blush.” She held up her daughter’s clawed hand. “Can you show me it again?”

“Mommmm,” the girl grumbled. It sounded just like every teenager who wanted an extra hour of sleep.

“Just like you did that day, remember? You’d just won regionals. That was exciting. My God, you’re so smart.”

Her father spoke up. “We’re so proud of you honey.” His voice broke on that as he gripped the furred hand.

“We are. And that night you went out to the movie with Jordan, but only after you showed me how to put on blush in a circle.” Abby opened her daughter’s fingers like you might spread the pads on a pet’s paw. “Show me how to put on my blush, Brit. Please?”

The girl huffed back, her eyes still closed. “Can I open my eyes, Mom?”

“Not yet. I’ve got a surprise for you, and I just need you keep them closed. Come on, honey, how do you?—”

“Like this, Mom.” Her hand flicked in a very specific motion that Hank didn’t even try to understand. But it was a hand. Somewhere between the beginning of the motion and the end, Brittany’s hand went from a thick bear claw to a normal girl’s hand. It even sported soft pink polish on her nails.

Her father gasped suddenly pulling Britt’s other hand to his mouth. “Oh Brit,” he murmured. “Oh thank God.”

Abby was smiling, too, as she pressed her kisses to her daughter’s face, surreptitiously wiping away the tears that fell. “That’s great, honey. That’s really great. Thank you.”

“Can I open my eyes now?”

“Yes, honey. Go ahead.”

And here was the really tense time. Because sure, they’d gotten Brittany to revert to full human in the twilight before fully waking up, but that didn’t mean she’d keep the form. Not when she remembered where she was and why. From what he’d seen of other hybrids, any kind of fright could bring on the shift. And sometimes all it took was the memory of what they’d been not five minutes before.

Which meant they had to somehow keep Brittany calm while they explained to her exactly what she’d become.

CHAPTER 16

Score one for the good guys! Cecilia grinned as both parents hugged their normal-looking child. It was a beautiful moment made even more striking because Cecilia couldn’t help but imagine holding her own child someday. One who had Hank’s quiet strength and Cecilia’s smart mouth. The kid didn’t even have to be magical. She just wanted the whole idea of it.

Up until now, kids had been a someday kind of thing. Sure she wanted a family that shared makeup tips and teased about mathlete boyfriends but it hadn’t been high on her priority list. Not until Hank had started talking about babies. Suddenly she was thinking about children in a very real, very present way. And with a man she hadn’t even known yesterday morning. Was it possible? Did she want it?