A/N: I don't own Skulduggery, Valkyrie, Darquesse, Lord Vile, China (Boo! Hiss!) or Erskine.

I looked at Skulduggery for the longest time. "I love you too, both of you." I said at last. Skulduggery smiled shakily, then dropped his skull, and kept his eye sockets riveted to the floor. He took off his hat and fiddled with it before speaking.

"You'd have both of us? A ready made family? It won't bother you, will it? Raising another woman's child?" He shoulders tensed and I knew he expected to be rejected.

"No, it won't, Skulduggery. If the situation were reversed I'd want you to be happy, and for this little guy to have a mom. What's his name?" I asked and the baby shifted into me in his sleep. I caressed his tiny skull and felt my heart overflowing with the need to love and nurture him.

"Joshua. I couldn't get him to sleep, Valkyrie. He just wouldn't sleep for me." Skulduggery said sadly as he put a tentative arm around me and I settled into him.

"He's a little boy, Skulduggery, and buried in my chest. He's living the dream." I said and Skulduggery laughed.

"You mean he's a baby and living the dream, but about the same thing, I guess. But he's bonded to you, Valkyrie. I apologize for hanging up on you like I did. But he'd just started to crawl when-" He shivered and buried his skull in my shoulder and wept openly and I held him.

"I'm here now, Skulduggery. Nobody is going to take him from us, OK? I already saw three people killed who tried to hurt him, so you know he's got a homicidal Grand Mage for an uncle." I teased and Skulduggery chuckled wryly.

"Just what he needs. I think Erskine knew the truth instantly, somehow. That he was my son. Or Vile's son." He said with regret.

"Hush. They're our friends and they care about us both, you know that. Besides, Lord Vile and Darquesse are the best protectors any baby could ask for. Speaking of which, I want my partner, best friend and as far as I'm concerned husband staying tonight. You're in no shape to drive."

"You trust me that much, do you?" He teased.

"Yes, I do. Besides I need you here. I don't know that I did that great a job with him. I kept freaking out over everything and it wasn't like I could call you for parenting advice."

"So I noticed. You do realize there's no reason to diaper him, right?" Skulduggery asked, amused.

"With Necromancers having raised him I wasn't sure. I thought he might be able to eat as well, remember? He takes after his dad, though. Same rotten expression on his face when he bit me that you get when you're mad."

"I do not!" Skulduggery huffed in mock indignation. "Besides, skeletons don't change expression. Everyone knows that." He said slyly, looking at me with a rather smug expression. I laughed and handed him Joshua.

"Here, you two bond. I haven't fed myself in I don't know how long." I said getting up to head into the kitchen and Skulduggery looked stricken. I leaned down and kissed his cheek softly. "Skulduggery, it's OK. I love you, and being a skeleton is a point in your favour. I understand you being afraid, I really do. I could have said something too, you know."

Skulduggery nodded then gave me a coy look. "Order in? You could spend more time with us. Please?" I smiled and nodded, watched him fuss over Joshua. He was tender with his son. Our son, I realized as I placed my order. When I hung up I bit my lip. Logically I'd wondered if they had tried to raise his wife as well but I didn't want to hurt his feelings by asking. If the day ever came and it happened I could face loosing him then.

Now it was time to enjoy him and our son. "So, how's Ghastly been as a partner?" I asked as I settled back on the couch and he shrugged, more interested in his son than work. "Skulduggery, odd question, but why fear a baby?" He looked at me puzzled and I told him what the head of the temple had said. Skulduggery titled his head thoughtfully.

"Maybe being my son,

Vile's son, they thought they could groom him to be the Death Bringer. But he must have disappointed them somehow. Erskine told me you saved his life, thank you."

"Not a problem. I saw a helpless baby about to be killed by a lunatic, so wasn't happening. Besides, Erskine helped. I still wonder why he trusted me with your son, if he knew."

"He said he saw your heart melt the moment you saw Joshua. You weren't afraid or revulsed you loved him and hugged him to you. You had the decency to cover him and the loving instinct to comfort him. That, and you shot death glares at anyone who got too close in the Sanctuary. Instant motherhood." Skulduggery said fondly.

"Yeah, I guess so." I said, reaching down to tickle Joshua who giggled and squirmed. "He's a lot more content with his dad here. He missed you, you know." I said and I was kicking myself mentally for saying it but Skulduggery just smiled gently at me.

"I hardly got to know him before I went off to war. My sweet son, and killed for nothing. To trap me? He could have used an illusion. I've often wondered if it was personal. If he wanted my wife for himself."

"Well, we know China wanted you. She was willing to kill you as well. Too bad she's dead because I'd love to see her try for this baby and for Darquesse to kick he as-"

"Language! There's a baby present." Skulduggery said mildly.

"I was going to say assets. You're the one who curses all the time. The poor child. He'll swear like a pirate by the time he's five."

"Mmm, he's less than a year old now so I've plenty of time to clean up my act. And thank you again, Valkyrie, for taking a grouchy old skeleton and a crying baby in out of the rain." I hugged him tightly, Joshua crawling up on my lap.

"Anytime, Skulduggery, anytime."

Yeah not my best effort but I'm in serious pain, back from the dentist and on antibiotics. Ow!