Chapter 138 Glowing

Chapter 138 Glowing
Bailey 

Jericho’s fussing starts softly, just enough to pull me out of sleep. I open my eyes immediately, already listening for whether it’s building into a full-on cry or is just a moment of discomfort. It builds, so I jump up and move quickly into his room.
The black and silver nursery is still dim with early morning light streaming through the curtains. Jericho is awake now, his little face scrunched as he lets out a sharper cry. I cross to the crib right away and lift him into my arms.
“Hey, hey,” I murmur. “I’ve got you. You’re okay.”
His cry eases the moment I hold him, though he’s still clearly hungry, puckering his little lips. I sit in the chair by the window and begin nursing him, rubbing his back gently until he calms down. 
A door creaks down the hall.
Rian’s voice follows a second later. “Bailey?”
“In here,” I answer.
He appears in the doorway a moment later, his hair messy from sleep, taking in the scene. “Is he all right?”
“Yes,” I say. “He didn’t even have time to get worked up before I got him.”
“Good. I thought something was wrong.”
“He’s fine,” I say, glancing down at Jericho. “Just hungry.”
“So am I,” Rian says. “You were right. That pizza last night was delicious, but I’m hungry again. What are we doing today?”
“I figured we’d go have breakfast in the city with my mom,” I say, glancing down at Jericho.
“Perfect. I’ll go get dressed.” 
A few minutes later, he comes back fully dressed in clothes that looked dapper in Silverhide, but might catch a few sideways glances in the city. “We’ll need to get you some new clothes today too,” I say. 
Once Jericho is finished, I hand him to Rian. He takes him while I go get dressed and ready. I pull on my jeans and hoodie and fix my hair, excited about finally getting to introduce Rian and Jericho to my mom. 
When we’re both ready, I grab my phone.
“Uber,” I say.
“Uber?” 
“It’s a car, which is like a carriage but faster,” I explain. 
Rian watches as I tap the screen. “Still wild that’s how this works.”
“The ride is on the way,” I say, smiling. 
When the car arrives, we step out of the cabin with Jericho bundled in Rian’s arms. The morning air is cool as we settle into the car.
Inside the Uber, we drive through the countryside and then the city starts to come alive around us through the windows—traffic building, people moving, everything faster and louder than the quiet of the woods.
Rian glances out, then back at me. “So this is your world.”
“Part of it,” I say.
I unlock my phone and scroll to my mom’s contact.
“I’m calling my mom,” I say. “I’ll ask her if she wants to meet us at a cafe near her place.” 
Rian nods once. “Perfect.”
I tap the call button.
She answers almost instantly. “Bailey?”
“Hey,” I say, smiling as I look across at Rian holding Jericho. 
“Bailey, are you all right?” she asks. 
“I’m fine… more than fine,” I tell her. “I had the baby a couple of months ago. We’re in New York, heading into the city. Would you like to meet us at the café near your house?”
There’s a sharp inhale on the other end. “I’m already on my way. I can’t believe this is finally happening.”
“It’s happening,” I say.
“I’ll be there,” she says quickly, like she’s already moving.
I hang up and lean back in the seat.
Rian looks at me. “She’s excited.”
“She’s about to be even more excited when she sees how cute this baby is,” I say.
He laughs. “Good to know.”
The Uber slows as we arrive at the café, and my mom’s already standing outside. The second she sees us, she moves fast.
“Bailey!”
I step out, and she barely acknowledges me before her eyes lock on Jericho. “Oh, my God….”
Rian hands me the baby and steps out after me. “Hi. I’m Rian.”
She shakes his hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Rian.” 
“You as well,” he replies. 
Then she reaches for Jericho, and I place him in her arms. “Oh,” she breathes. “He’s so perfect.”
We walk into the café together, the morning noise and warmth, along with the sweet scent of pancakes, wrapping around us as we step inside. My mom holds the baby carefully as she leads the way and Rian walks beside me. We spot a table near the back and head over, sliding into our seats.
“He’s so tiny,” my mom murmurs, adjusting him in her arms. “And he looks just like your grandpa.”
Jericho coos, and she smiles down at him. “I can’t believe you’re  really here, little one. What did you name him?”
“His name is Jericho, and our last name is Gray,” I reply. 
“Jericho Gray,” she says softly. “That’s the name of a strong leader.”
Rian glances at Jericho, then at my mom. “He will be leader some day.”
“I have no doubt,” she replies, looking up at me briefly before returning her attention to the baby.
The server comes, and we place our orders. Conversation flows naturally—my mom asking about Jericho, daily life, how I’m feeling physically and how we’re all doing emotionally. Then Jericho hiccups, and everyone laughs.
“He’s so adorable,” Mom says. 
“Yes, he sure is,” I agree. 
“I’m so glad to finally meet you, little one,” my mom whispers, leaning down to kiss his forehead. Jericho coos again, and her smile widens.
“You’re going to spoil him,” I tease.
“I truly am,” she laughs. “And I don’t even care.”
By the time we finish eating, the sun is higher, spilling light across the café. My mom still holds Jericho, and I watch them both, feeling completely content. 

Rian

We make it back to the cabin just after midday, my arms full of bags from the city. Bailey’s mom insisted on buying all of what we needed—clothes for Bailey, a few things for Jericho, even groceries. I almost insisted she let me buy it before I realized I have no currency from this realm. 
I follow Bailey into the cabin, Jericho snug in her arms while I carry in all the bags from the city. 
“I’m so glad my mom wanted to help with this stuff. It’ll really come in handy while we’re here,” Bailey says. 
“She was very generous,” I say, putting things in the cupboard. 
“She was excited,” Bailey says, smiling as she starts unpacking. “I invited her to dinner here tomorrow night.”
I raise an eyebrow. “Will you cook?”
“Sure,” she replies, laughing.
“Good.” I say. “I don’t want her to have to choke down my cooking.”
Bailey chuckles and glances at her phone. “Beverly from the publishing company called while we were out. I missed it earlier. I should call her back. Can you hold Jericho for a minute?”
I nod. “Of course.”
I take the baby, and Bailey disappears into the other room, phone in hand. I hold Jericho close against my chest, his tiny head resting just below my chin. 
A few minutes later, she comes back, her face glowing like starlight. “You’re not going to believe this! They want to publish more copies of the first book,” she says quickly, almost bouncing as she speaks. “The one Claire wrote. And then”—she pauses, her smile widening—“they want to publish my book as a sequel!”
“Bailey, that’s incredible! You wrote it all down, and now everyone in your world will get to read our story!”
“Our love story,” she says, beaming. “They’re going to publish it. All of it.”
I watch her, seeing how alive she is, how every word is like a spark flying from her, and I can’t help thinking about how hard it might be for me to pull her back to Silverhide when the time comes. 
“You look like you’re going to explode,” I say, giving her a teasing grin.
“I kind of am,” she admits, laughing. “I can’t believe this is happening. All of it. Jericho, you’re going to be famous too, you know.” She wiggles her finger at our sleeping baby, who twitches his tiny hands.
“Looks like we’re all in the spotlight now,” I say. 
Bailey sits on the couch beside me, still grinning. I know she wishes we could stay here forever, but I think about my responsibilities back in Silverhide. I’m the Alpha, and it wouldn’t be safe or fair to leave my pack for too long. 
Right now, though, she’s enthusiastic about her mom and the publishing news, and I just let her have this moment, happy to be with her when she’s this excited.