Summary: Edward goes to take Jeremy instead of Malcolm. Ensuring that Jeremy has a different life and two women keep their lives.
Pairings: none really. Implied Malcolm/Jeremy's mother but nothing romantic
She was prepared to attack whoever it was in the kitchen.
She knew that the father of her new great-grandchild had been hovering round their territory for months. Been watching them. Preparing to take the boy. When her great-grandson had been born though he had vanished whether it was because he was scared or just making last minute arrangements. She didn't know but she did know he would be back eventually.
However the man in the kitchen was not the father. He was too old, too crippled and had a more gentle aura around him despite his wolfish nature. If he had been younger she would have allowed this man in the bedroom with her granddaughter. He has the right qualifications for their latest clan member but was too old to perform. They had to use the son instead.
"My apologies for breaking and entering" the man said politely. "I wish to speak to your granddaughter about my grandson. I know my son is foolish and reckless but I wouldn't want such a fine young lady having the burden of raising an illegitimate son. Especially with the economic struggles she must be having. I am willing to take him in and raise him without ever having to bother either of you again. If you are both in need of financial help, I am willing to pay for this"
"No" she said coolly. "We plan to keep this child and nothing you say will convince us otherwise. Your big werewolf Pack does not need another child, our very diminished tribe however does"
"Madam. You must understand that it is werewolf policy to take the son away. If the Pack were to find this child after his change then they won't hesitate to kill him"
"Because he is not with his father?"
"Because he will be classed as a Mutt. A second class citizen not worth any status, to be hunted by the Pack and killed"
She stared at him with her sternest look and he glared back. Neither were going to back down from this and she didn't dare to leave her granddaughter and great-grandson unattended for long.
"You will use violence to get him?" she asked.
"If I have to. I prefer not to, Madam, I am more willing to negotiate some sort of deal"
She bit back the urge to insult him with several curses in her own language as she considered what he said. He was stubborn and dangerous, very determined to take her great-grandson away and it didn't seem to matter if he had a limp and old age to worry about. No doubt if she pushed him far enough he would kill her.
"Grandmother? Grandmother, are you there?"
"Would you like to have a cup of tea?" she asked through gritted teeth.
He smiled politely at her. "No thank you"
Her granddaughter appeared at the doorway and gasped loudly at the sight of Edward Danvers. She clutched her baby closer to her chest and made a few steps backwards.
"It's all right child. He won't harm us, he wishes to discuss a deal about looking after the baby"
"My son!" she snapped. "I look after him!"
"Do you wish to have all of the werewolf pack to hunt you down?" he asked quietly. "If you want to stay alive and see your son grow up then I urge you to give me the child"
"I want to see him! It's my right to see my son grow big and strong"
"I'll send photos and arrange meetings"
"We move a lot" her granddaughter argued.
"Then keep me updated on your address. I stay in the same house most of the year"
"You will keep no secrets from me. If he is ill, you tell me, hurt, tell me, dead, tell me"
"I will keep you informed"
"Send him to me when he is an adult. He must know about the Kitsune, they will hunt him down as if he is prey"
"So you agree to let the Pack look after him?"
"Your scent will cover him more" her granddaughter said. She wanted to argue with that but unfortunately the girl was right and if they wanted to save the last of their race then it would be better if the werewolves did take the boy in. "I worry...the father...he is not a kind man"
"I am very aware of my son's shortcomings and I have plans already to protect the boy from him" the man said calmly as if the girl didn't insult his son. "Have you named him yet?"
"No?"
"May I suggest something English? A Japanese name will be a big give away to this...Kitsune and the Pack"
"You will have to teach him Japanese and Kanji then" she interrupted the negotiation. "Our culture as well. You must...imprint? Our culture in him. He must be aware of his family both mother and father"
"I'll find tutors immediately. Perhaps after he learns to speak he'll start such lessons"
"What will you name him?" her granddaughter asked pleadingly. She understood her granddaughter's need to know a name. Names are important. They carry power and of course, what kind of mother would she be if she did not know her own son's name? "I need to know"
"Jeremy" the man decided. "Jeremy Malcolm Edward Danvers"
"What do they mean?"
"I don't know. But it sounds like a good solid name" the man chuckled. "May I?" Her granddaughter reluctantly handed Jeremy over to the man who immediately softened the moment the boy was in his arms. "Hello lad, I'm your grandfather and I will take very good care of you" he murmured. He looked up at the pair of them. "Don't worry; I will not go back on my word"
"You better not" she sniffed. "We do not take kindly to dishonourable men"