In that moment, I knew I would never be same. I was in Gatlin County Care, much to my Uncle's distaste. He wanted to fly me out to New York, to a "decent hospital" but I refused; Gatlin was my home and now it was my daughter's too.
Ethan?
Look at her, L.
She's beautiful.
She was, truly. I am not the sort of person to kid myself and live a lie. She had huge green eyes, wisps of thick, black hair framing her perfect face.
Ethan?
Yes?
What shall we call her?
I think you should choose, L.
No. I'd like you to.
"Eve. Eve Josephine."
Oh, Ethan. I love it. There's just one thing.
"Yes?"
"Uh. I don't quite know how to say this, but I'd like her to be a Duchannes."
"Of course she's a Duchannes, L! She's half me, half you."
"No, uh, what I mean is I'd liked to call her Eve Duchannes."
Oh. OK. If that's what you would really likeā¦
Oh, Ethan! Thank you! It's just that it's a tradition in our family and I can't imagine Gramma being particularly happy if I break it.
Ethan laughs. "Anything for you, Lena Beana." He stares down at me, nothing but pride beaming from his face as I pass him his daughter.
When I told Macon I was going to have a child he was really worried at first, he said he didn't know what would happen to the child of a mortal and a Caster, or how powerful it would be. I told him it didn't matter, that I would love my child no matter how much of a mortal or a Caster he or she was.
There is a knock at the door and I command it open. Ethan doesn't even look up, he is used to my powers by now. I am expecting it to be Macon or Mitchell - Ethan's Dad - they said they would both pop over (in Macon's case, literally!) but it is the last person I was expecting.
Ridley.
"Hey, Cuz."
"Rid! What are you doing here?" I knew I should be angry with her (what with her being a dark caster and all) but I just couldn't be.
'"I know I haven't been around lately-"
"A year, Rid. You were gone a year."
"I know, and I'm sorry, but I'm back now. Anyways, what I was saying was, when Shrinky Dink told me you were having a baby and all, I just knew I had to come and see it."
"It's not an it. It's a she." Ethan piped up.
"Oh, hey, Boyfriend, didn't see you over there." Ridley noticed Ethan for the first time. An odd expression passed Ethan's face when Ridley said 'Boyfriend' but it was gone too quickly for me to see what it was.
"Can I hold her, Lena?" Ridley asked, gently. It was only then that I really looked at her and what I saw shocked me. Rid was wearing a skirt that sat just above the knee and a long-sleeved sequin top that wasn't suggestive in any manner at all. She was wearing green converse and practically no makeup. I didn't think I had ever seen her like this.
"Rid? Are you okay?" I asked, a bit more than slightly concerned.
"What? Oh, yes, I'm fine. Why d'ya ask?"
"Your clothes?"
"Oh, well, I am starting a new me. Turning over a new leaf, you might call it. I decided I am going to fight the darkness, with John's help. He agreed to it. I decided the first three things I am going to do are to dress sensibly, be a good aunt to your child and to tell Link that I..."
"That you what, Rid?"
Are you gonna make me say it?
You know I am, Ridley, get it over with.
"That I love him."
Wow. She actually said it, L.
I know, what is the world coming too? And she looks as though she really means what she says about turning over a new leaf. I just hope it lasts, I wouldn't want Del to lose her child again for what, the third time?
"Uh, Lena? Can I hold her?" I know I shouldn't trust her, after everything she's done, but I can't help myself.
Is that okay with you, Ethan?
If it's alright with you, it's alright with me.
"Sure. Her name's Eve." I passed her over, her little body wrapped up in blankets so just her face is peeking out. The second Ridley starts to cradle her, as gently as if she were afraid she would fall, I see something in my cousin's eyes that I have never seen before. Hope and warmth. The wanting to change, to make a difference. I can't wait to see Link's reaction.
