Gabriel hopped down from Creator's lap after another soft pat for the hand, joining us with a beaming smile on his face.

I hugged him, kissed the top of his head, breathing in his little boy scent and wrapping him in my power, heart hammering in my chest. So much love for him in that moment poured through me I could barely stand it.

"Very well done, Gabriel," Max said, wiping at his face with both hands, completely unselfconscious ...