Page 31 of Xander
Chapter Fourteen
Xander
Frost had fallen asleep as soon as he tucked her in bed.He had kissed her forehead, loving the smile that touched her lips, and listened for a long while as her breathing became deep and even.While she slept, Xander couldn’t tear his eyes away from his son who slept in his crib about a foot from the bed.His son’s hair was whiter than his own and so soft to the touch.Xander could see his eyes dart back and forth behind his thin eyelids and every so often, he would clench his little hands into a fist and scrunch his face as though he were about to cry, but then settled back into sleep.
Silas was perfect in every way, and yet Xander felt that this tiny being he and Frost were responsible for, who they loved more than life itself, was so small and fragile.So while Frost got much needed sleep, Xander’s emotions had swung between fear and awe as he stared at his sleeping son.
Being an immortal for as long as he had, Xander had forgotten the impressive talents and qualities that each immortal brought to the forefront when they transitioned.He should’ve thought about it when Silas had spoken to everyone through his mind link, and it should have surprised him, but he thought it was a normal part of everyday life.But as he looked at Silas, he realized that he was special.He was more powerful than they could understand, but Xander wanted him to have as normal a life as he possibly could.With family surrounding him and knowing that he was loved.
Being a parent hadn’t terrified him until he spotted Silas for the first time, but he knew he wouldn’t fail with Frost by his side.He loved his family and protectiveness surged through him.He would do everything in his power to protect them.
Sometime during the night, he had fallen asleep and cradled Frost to his chest.In the early morning hours, he had sensed more than he heard her breathing change, and he squeezed her closer.
“This is probably a dumb question, but how are you feeling?”
Frost smiled and kissed him.Xander savored the kiss and her taste.She moved onto her back and stretched her arms and legs before she sat up.“Good.There’s no pain or tenderness anymore.I think I’m well on my way to being completely healed.How’s Silas?”
“He’s good.He settled down to sleep rather quickly.I hear him stirring now.”
With one last kiss, Xander scrambled out of bed and helped Frost up before they glanced down at their son in his crib.Silas was on his back, staring up at the mobile above his bed with a mix of curiosity and confusion.As they moved closer, Silas turned his concentration on both of them.
Mommy!Daddy!
Frost scooped him up and cuddled him close, before placing him down on the changing table.The next few minutes had them learning how to change a diaper and struggling to put him in a onesie that would keep him warm.Xander, only admitting it to himself, thought the outfit looked cute on his son.Silas didn’t seem too affected by any of the changes he had been introduced to.
“You okay, little man?”
I’m fine, Daddy.
He couldn’t help but smile at how mature his newborn son sounded.Xander had him in his arms after they changed him and he glanced at Frost, who beamed at the both of them.
“Ready to head downstairs?”
“Yeah.Let’s go before they combust with excitement to meet our little man.”Frost shook her head at the energy she could feel, even all the way upstairs.
Silas tried to look everywhere, all at once, as they headed down the stairs.Soon, he started fussing and Xander glanced down to see Jade waiting anxiously at the bottom step.Silas could sense her.Or maybe they were already talking to each other.
Xander carefully maneuvered the stairs and when he reached the living room, Jade already moved to sit on the couch, waiting to hold Silas.Xander carefully lowered Silas on to her lap.His head was cradled on her closed knees and she stared at Silas with a look of awe on her face.He knew the feeling.Of course, they had started talking with no one else clued into their conversation.
Frost was pulled into hugs, first by Kai and then the others, all congratulating them on the son each of them had become enamored with as soon as they laid eyes on him.
Soon, the others became impatient, all wanting a turn holding and talking to Silas.And their son charmed the entire group, who had their turn holding him and cooing at him.Quite a sight—an entire group of assassins could become a puddle of goo when it came to his son, but Xander was in the same boat so he didn’t tease them, much.
Hungry.
Both he and Frost looked at each other.They hadn’t thought that far.They looked back at Silas, this time in Liv’s arms, before they looked back at each other.They had no idea what to do.A typical baby would breast feed or take a bottle, but at their son’s request, they were suddenly at a loss.
“Why don’t you just ask Silas what he wants to eat?”Liv provided helpfully.
Frost lifted Silas in her arms and walked toward the kitchen with him close behind.“Would you like breast milk?”
Xander could have sworn that he heard “eww” coming from Silas.Frost laughed and hugged Silas close to her.Xander loved her laugh.
He opened the cabinet they had stocked with baby food and formulas, unsure of what Silas would need, but prepared in case.Most books recommended complementing breast milk with baby food at four to six months old, but again, Silas wasn’t a typical baby.He was an immortal and only he could tell them what he would like and wouldn’t like.
Frost slid Silas to her hip and Xander pulled out the formula first and got another annoyed look for their efforts.He pulled out pureed carrots, peas, apples, until he reached the pears, which Silas nodded at.Xander took Silas and placed him in his high chair as Frost opened the jar and grabbed a baby spoon.She put a tiny amount at the end of the hard plastic spoon and held it close to Silas’s mouth.Without hesitation, their son opened and took the bite, humming at the taste.Frost kept feeding him little bites until the jar was empty and Silas’s eyes drooped.
“Is this normal?”Xander had known Liv hovered close.
