Page 31 of Chosen (The Registry #2)

JAMIE

Noah carefully transfers her newborn son into my arms, and he looks so fragile I’m afraid he’ll break.

As if sensing my unease, Noah chuckles. “There’s no need to be afraid, he’s sturdier than he looks.”

My nephew’s face is so round and perfect. He has a head full of curly copper colored hair. “Have you and Magnus decided what you want to name him?”

“Hmm, we have a few names in mind. But the frontrunners are Kian and Myka. Those are my favorite so far.”

“They sound pretty solid.” I can’t tear my eyes off the little bundle in my arms from his little fingers and toes. His tiny nose. He’s sleeping peacefully now but earlier he had been crying heartily until Noah had given him her breast.

He was only 24 hours old but already he was so loved. Noah had gone into labor the night before and Magnus had kept everyone but himself and the medical professionals off their floor.

The birth had been announced over manor’s intercom.

“Let’s offer a hearty congratulations to our Sector Leader and the Lady of the Manor, for the birth of their child. A healthy baby boy weighing in at 8 pounds and 6 ounces.”

When I’d heard the announcement I was so happy for them. Understandably, Magnus had wanted to spend that first night alone with his wife and child before inviting others to come see the baby.

My mother and father were especially pleased when we went to see their grandchild and they had spent the better portion of the morning, getting acquainted with their grandson.

I gave them the opportunity to spend time with the baby before I visited. Now my parents had left to go have lunch and Magnus had been called away for an emergency meeting leaving me alone with Noah and the baby.

In the last few weeks since I’ve been back at the manor, Magnus and I had reached an understanding. I recognized that he wasn’t a perfect man, but he was perfect for Noah.

It was clear that he would move mountains for her and saw to my sister’s every need. I can also tell he’s a good Sector Leader. He addresses his staff with courtesy, and he’s implemented laws and programs to help homo sapiens in Sector 2 improve their lives.

I’d come to respect him and understood that not all superious are evil and the ones who did bad things, had the capacity to change.

The best part about being back at the manor was reuniting with my family. When I saw my parents again, I’d collapsed in their arms and cried the tears I’d been holding in since I’d been assigned as a companion. I explained what happened to me and thoroughly apologized.

To their credit, they were understanding about what I’d suffered and forgave me.

“You know, I never properly apologized to you like I did with Mom and Dad,” I say to Noah even though my eyes are still glued to my nephew’s cute face.

“It’s fine. I know how you must have suffered.

And I kind of had an idea of what happened to you.

I won’t lie and say I wasn’t hurt by the way you’d shut us all out, but I understand.

Plus, after you left for Sector 10, Magnus told me about what was in your file.

I’m so sorry that happened to you. And I’m sorry you didn’t feel like you could talk to me about it. ”

I look at her to see tears running down her face.

If I wasn’t holding the baby, I would get up and give her a hug. Tears welled in my eyes. “Please don’t apologize. There’s nothing you could have done differently. Besides, I’m the one who’s sorry. I love you and I’m so happy for you. You’re going to be a wonderful mother.”

“As will you. Once everything is resolved in your file, you can return to Sector 10 and back to Draken.”

At the mention of Draken, my heart clenches in my chest. I miss him terribly, but I know how he’s busy putting his sector back in order. He still takes the time to contact me, check in on me and make sure I’m eating properly and getting enough rest.

I assure him that I’m fine. And though I’m not that far along, I’m being pampered by my family and the staff.

I spend most of my days sitting with Jamie, watching old television programs from the old Earth media.

I particularly like the comedy shows. I don’t get a lot of the jokes because things were different then, but they’re still entertaining and they lift my spirits.

Though the calls from Draken make me happy, when the communications end, I feel bereft and filled with longing.

“I hope it’s soon. It’s nearly been a month, and I don’t know how much progress is being made. When we talk, he looks very tired. And yesterday he didn’t call. I’m really worried about him.”

“I’m sure you’ll hear from him soon.”

Just then the door to Noah’s room opens and Magnus steps in. His eyes immediately lock in on Noah. He walks over to his wife and gives her a long deep kiss. “You should rest while the baby is resting. I can have the caretakers get him while you take a nap.”

Noah shakes her head. “Absolutely not. I told you I don’t want a nanny. I can take care of my own child. At least not yet anyway while he’s still so little. He needs some bonding time with his mom.

As if on cue, baby boy wiggles in my arms and lets out a loud cry. I chuckle. “He’s got a nice set of lungs on him.”

“He’s probably hungry again. My breasts are heavy and leaking, so I think another feeding will settle him down.”

Magnus chuckles. “My son enjoys your breasts as much as I do.”

Noah rolls her eyes. “So inappropriate.”

A slight wave of envy washes through me, seeing how naturally playful they are with one another. I want that with Draken so badly.

“Well, I’ll gladly hand him over to his mother.” I carefully transfer the crying baby back to his mother.

Noah unbuttons the top of her gown and offers a nipple to her son who greedily latches on.

The sight of mother and child makes my heart happy.

Magnus sighed. “I could watch this all day, but I actually came here to collect Jamie.”

I place my hand against my chest. “Me?”

“Yes. Theres’s something I need to show you in my office. It’s regarding your file.”

“Oh. Okay.”

“Will you be okay by yourself? I can send Maggie or your mother in,” he directs his question to Noah.

“I’m fine for now.” She smiles down at her son as she strokes his curls.

I follow Magnus out of the room, and he leads me to his private elevator.

“You seemed very comfortable holding my son,” he says.

“Well, I need the practice for my own.”

“I think you’ll do just fine. Anyway, I was going to wait until we got to my office, but I don’t want to leave you in suspense. After a thorough investigation into the incident. Your file has been updated, and the flag has been removed.”

“Really? Oh my gosh! How?”

“It turns out that Fredresk has been running an illegal underground business and hasn’t been paying his share of credits to the sector’s upkeep fund.

He was using his companions to secure these unsavory deals.

It should have been investigated when he was going through so many companions.

But he’s been stripped of his lands, and all his credit accounts have been frozen.

He’s currently in prison awaiting a trial.

No more companions will suffer at his hand anymore. You’ve been exonerated.

Tears of joy sprung to my eyes. I was happy that my file was updated but happier still knowing that no other companion will experience what I did under him. But better yet, this meant I was closer to being reunited to Draken.

And then it occurred to me that Fredresk wasn’t the only one out there who treated their companions roughly.

“And what about all the people who used to attend his parties. Or people who people abuse their companions?”

“I’m working to change the law, so it doesn’t happen again.”

The first time I came to the manor, I didn’t trust Magnus, but now I do, and I trust he will fix things.

When we finally reach his office, he says, “You can go in without me.”

“What? Why?”

He smiles. “You’ll see.” He presses his hand on the heat sensory pad, and the door opens. “Go ahead.”

I shoot him a curious look before going in. I freeze when I see my heart standing in the middle of the office.

“I’ve come to take you home,” Draken declares. He holds his arms out to me, and I run to him, and he spins me around before crushing my lips beneath his.

I’ve missed him so much. For the first time in a long time, I feel whole.

I pull away from him. “You didn’t tell me you were coming!” I playfully pop him on the chest.

I stare into his pale blue eyes. I’m so happy to see his handsome face again. “I’ve missed you so much.”

“And I missed you too. I’m sorry it’s taken me so long, but I’ve spent day and night trying to fix the mess Braeden made.

I was able to flush out all the staff who worked with him.

Some of them have been sent to the labor camps, others are in holding cells and some have been executed.

Their punishments were given based on the severity of their crimes.

Unfortunately, Willa was one of those who has been set to be executed.

She was responsible for poisoning my food and yours. ”

It was disappointing to learn that one of the people I thought was nice at the fortress was a big fat traitor.

“Well, at least Ayla will be there when I return. She was new but she protected me.”

Draken’s gaze darts away.

“What? What aren’t you telling me?”

“Ayla has gone missing.”

Read Ayla’s story in Taken. Coming Soon.