As soon as she saw the nursery that Eleanor had put together, Lexi actually felt a little choked up as she watched her move excitedly around the space, pointing out the little details that she had thought to add and proudly explaining that the beautifully hand-carved, oak crib had been in her family for over a century.
"All of the children in the Kaiser family for the last century have slept in this crib," she explained in hushed tones as she held her grandson gently, "It was something of a tradition until Brad's father decided on a more modern aesthetic for his son…" she trailed off sadly.
"It really is beautiful," Lexi answered quietly, sensing the shift in Eleanor's emotions.
"It was commissioned as a one-off from one of the most prestigious craftsmen back then," Eleanor explained with a wistful smile, "All of the children that have been protected by its enchantments as they slept have gone on to see great success in their lives…Brad was the first of the line in almost one hundred and fifty years not to sleep in its protective wards…"
"Eleanor…" Lexi said in a pained whisper.
She could practically feel the guilt rolling off her as they spoke and it pained her to see her this way. Even though they had only known each other a short time, Lexi had already decided that she wasn't a bad person and honestly thought that if circumstances had been different between Brad and Ann, then she and Eleanor would have perhaps become quite close as time went on.
Eleanor genuinely cared about her people and her family, and the fact that she was blaming herself for Brad's actions as an adult, because of a family tradition that she and her husband chose to deviate from when he was a baby, told her just how seriously Eleanor took her role as a mother and as a Luna.
"It's okay Lexi, I know some people think it's stupid and it's nothing more than superstition but I can't help but think…" she said, her voice dropping to an almost pained whisper as her voice broke and she faltered at the end.
"Eleanor, I get it. I really do. I think recent events have proved that these things are more than just wild superstition, but at the same time, you cannot blame yourself for something that you had no control over. This was all Narcissa and Ada's doing…Brad and Ann…they were nothing more than collateral damage, and as much as that sucks, blaming yourself changes nothing." Lexi reassured her as Eleanor offered a small smile towards her gratefully.
"I appreciate the sentiment, Lexi, I really do, but I don't want to take any chances with my Grandson…he's too precious…" she whispered as she kissed his head gently and laid him down into the crib, "He's going to need all the help that he can get with a half-witch as a mother in our world."
Eleanor smiled sadly down at the little boy in the crib and Lexi's mouth pursed in determination.
"It won't always be this way, Eleanor. Ann is working incredibly hard to change attitudes among the packs. I'm positive that by the time your grandson is in school, there won't be nearly as much prejudice to those with the ancient magick running in their veins."
Eleanor couldn't help but snort disbelievingly as she turned her sad eyes to look at her shrewdly.
"There's no amount of reassurance that you can give me, that will help ease the worry in my heart about how he will be treated when people find out that his father cheated on the Alpha Queen and his mother was complicit in a plot to assasinate the royals and enslave the packs."
For once Lexi was lost for words, and as she struggled awkwardly for a way out of this conversation, she was struck by the memory of how Ann had always comforted her when she felt that things were hopeless.
Without another word she stepped forward and wrapped her arms around Eleanor, pulling her into a hug and squeezing her tightly.
"It might seem hopeless now, but give it time. The child is innocent in all of this and if I can make it through to adulthood as the daughter of a witch and a Daemon Lord, you better believe that your grandson can make a success of his life with the support of his family, and the crown behind him." Lexi said softly as they pulled away from each other.
A slight strangled noise escaped Eleanor's throat as she quickly turned and wiped her eyes, making her way over to the chest of drawers that sat at the side of the room and handing Lexi one of the two monitors that sat on them.
"This way we can both hear that he's taken care of and see if he's ok," she said indicating the screen that displayed the room clearly, "I'll make sure I try to get to him first but it might take me a little longer the first few times…I'm a little out of practice with night feeds" she shrugged.
"No problem, I'll wait a little while before I head down here then…give you a fair chance." Lexi chuckled.
"Not interrupting are we?" Brad's voice came from the doorway.
"Not at all. Come!" Eleanor answered in an excited whisper as she beckoned him into the room with a wide grin.
"I'll leave you two to fawn over the sleeping baby," Lexi said with a wave as she made her way out of the door, but she paused as Brad called her name quietly.
"In case I haven't said it enough…thank you." Brad said with a quirk of his mouth, "I know we haven't always seen eye to eye, but you've done far more than I deserve in bringing my child back home."
"Don't you go getting all sentimental on me now fuckface," Lexi winked, "Just make the right choices this time. That's all I ask."
"I will, don't worry." He nodded seriously, "There isn't a person alive that will ever come between me and my family again."
Lexi smirked and turned away as Brad shouted after her.
"I left your mates on the landing. I assume they were heading to your room to eagerly await your arrival."
Lexi snorted and threw her middle finger up over her shoulder at him as she continued on her way, smirking as she heard the smack and muffled yelp of surprise from Brad as Eleanor admonished him.
Lexi's stomach fluttered in anticipation as she drew nearer to her room. Both of them had made their way to her room? Had they really put their differences aside so easily?
She had to admit that having them both in her bed just holding her had soothed her souls like nothing else…it was as close to inner peace as she had ever come and if they had the ability to affect her emotions in that way, she could only imagine what having them both paying attention to her would do.
Her pace quickened as she hurried down the last stretch of the corridor and stopped outside of her room, taking a deep breath to calm her racing heart as she pushed down on the handle, and into the room.