A/N: I don't own Skulduggery, Valkyrie, Ghastly Geoffrey, Finbar, or (gag,) China.

The next morning I walked into the living room and saw an adorable sight. Skulduggery was playing with Joshua, pretending to hide behind his gloved hands then revealing himself. Our baby clapped and giggle. I couldn't help it, I giggled too and an amused Skulduggery turned to smile at me. "Good morning, Valkyrie. Since it is raining today, let's take it easy, yes? I'd love to see you with Joshua, you know." I smiled and nodded, joining him on the couch. Joshua promptly crawled over to me, cooing and giggling.

"Hey, little man." I said, picking him up to cover his sweet little face with kisses. "How's the best baby ever?" I asked and he giggled and burbled in delight. "You want your teddy bear, little guy, or you want your toys?" I asked then looked at Skulduggery. "Has he slept yet?"

"Just up now." Skulduggery motioned and a Joshua's teddy bear floated over. Our baby grabbed it, squealing with delight, then held it out to me, a proud smile on his sweet skeletal features. I smiled and took it very carefully then handed it back. He held it out again.

"He's giving you a present, Valkyrie. He adores you. Again I apologize for ripping the two of you apart." I accepted the teddy bear, kissed Joshua and handed him to Skulduggery.

"Skulduggery, he's your son. You did what any good father would do. Now as a rather wonderful father will you watch him while I get some breakfast?"

"If we can come with you." There was a hesitancy to Skulduggery's voice and I realized how much it hurt him to have lashed out at me in pain.

"Of course. Skulduggery, you're my best friend and partner. You're entitled to the occasional lapse in judgment. You were grieving, hurting, feeling like you'd be denied your son because you're a skeleton. Feeling people would deny you both. Well, I never will. I love you, both of you." Skulduggery smiled then it grew into a smug grin.

"I knew that." He lied and I smiled, happy he was happy again. He followed me into the kitchen and sat at the table with Joshua. I prepared some coffee and some eggs and toast and sat down with a grin.

"I shouldn't be laughing, but I'm proud of him for biting me, he's got spunk. And none the worse for wear after whatever those monsters did to him. He's a survivor." I said, and Joshua seemed to blink sleepily in response.

"That he is." Skulduggery said. He started to sing softly to Joshua as he rocked him and soon the wee skeleton slept peacefully in his father's sheltering arms. "He'll never grow up, you know." He said, turning to me gently.

"I know. We'll find parents we can trust for after we're gone. I love him, Skulduggery. I'm not leaving him alone in this world. But why fear him if he will never grow?"

"Maybe he doesn't have to, Valkyrie. As insane as it sounds I've heard of experiments on babies to open their magical powers, even in the womb. But it is felt if they could be that strong, that early-"

"Lord." I said softly. "He was an experiment then and clearly wouldn't listen. I'd ask why he didn't defend himself then, but he is just a baby and he was terrified." I blinked back hot tears. "I was too, Skulduggery. I saw him and it was like I recognized my own baby, it was that powerful. And they weren't taking him from me, not again."

Skulduggery stared at me for a while. "What?"

"Sorry, I have no idea where that came from. You know what the weird thing is? I keep wanting to call him Aidan for some reason." I shook my head and Skulduggery stood coming over to caress my face. I could see a look of recognition and reverence on his skeletal features.

"That's what I've recognized about you all these years, that temper, your Necromancy. The way he took to you. Of course. And his name was Aidan but only we knew that. We changed it, to protect him. Oh, it is you." Skulduggery whispered and he seemed near tears as he knelt beside me. "I have missed you so much, darling. I'm so sorry I failed you both."

I wrapped my arms around him, stunned. "This explains the dreams I've had ever since I met you. Of living in Ireland before, of being married. But it can't be, Skulduggery. Reincarnation isn't real." I said, helplessly.

He looked up. "It is and there are tests, my love. We're going to the Sanctuary then." He nodded and stood and pulled me to him. I went to him gladly, careful of Joshua. Soon enough we were there and I was tested by one of the sensitives. Geoffrey Scruntinous looked on as did Finbar Wrong and they confirmed the results.

Finbar looked ecstatic. "Wow, Skul-man, you got your lady love back. Good for you. I saw it all happen of course, but came in, because, you know, I owe you one. Both of you." He smiled and nodded and strolled out. Geoffery grinned and nodded.

"Living proof of reincarnation. Absolutely fantastic. But of course we have proof. From what I can sense anyone who knew Alanis knew she was a territorial mother, extremely protective of her baby."

"My name was Alanis? I chose that?" I asked dismayed.

"It means beautiful or bright." Skulduggery soothed. "Like Aidan means fiery. And you were beautiful, and you still are." He cooed and I looked at him. I was trying very hard not to laugh because I'd never seen my best friend and partner act so sweet. We were home soon enough and he hovered attentively.

"You know I love you, don't you? This explains why they couldn't raise you. Must explain why China hated you so much as well. I've always noticed the way people act around you is almost instinctual. Ghastly was the older brother you never had, by the way, and he deserves to know he has his sister back."

I nodded. "He will, in time. Right now I just want my son and husband with me. Hey, that means you get to stay tonight as well." I said with a grin and Skulduggery titled his head thoughtfully.

"Yes, it does. Unless of course I can sweep my beloved bride back home with me. I got that house with the ridiculous notion that my family would be returned to me some day and live with me. So shall we?" He stood up and held out his hand and I happily took it. Skulduggery only hesitated a moment then pulled me into a tender kiss.

Yeah a strange chapter ending but I'm getting there.