Playing with Shadows (8 page)

Biting her bottom lip to
keep from laughing, Nicola glanced over to the midwife who was
checking the status of the baby. The older woman shook her head yet
said nothing. She was an old friend of Vlad's and because this
child was special, she had been called in for this task. A cool
breeze alerted the group to Christian's arrival.

“
It's almost time for me
to leave.” Christian said, though she knew this. The boy was almost
born.

Nicola was afraid that
this would be the last moment she'd see him, but she trusted his
judgment. If he wasn't worried, then she knew she had no reason to
be either. With a gentle smile, Nikki said, “Until we meet
again?”

“
I will find you and we
will be together.” Christian promised with a smile of his
own.

“
One last big push,
Carolyn.” The midwife stated, preparing for the birth.

Eyes flashing towards
Christian, Nikki watched as he lifted his hand in farewell. Tears
sprung up into her eyes without warning. She didn't want him to go,
but he didn't have a choice. As the cries of Carolyn's son filled
the air, the image of Christian vanished. Wiping her tears away,
Nicola turned to witness a new life being born. The first thing she
noticed was the curly blond hair and clear blue eyes of the child.
They were so easily recognizable as Christian's features that she
felt her anxiety drift away with the cries of the boy.

As she gazed upon the
child while he took his first look at the world around him, Nicola
felt a tiny tug at her heart. She knew, without a doubt, that she
would protect this little boy with her life. Even if he never
became the Christian she'd known, she would protect this child and
make sure he lived the life he deserved.

For Christian, it was the
least she could do.