Simone had named plenty of children over her life and this time she had wanted Lewis to be able to have his choice. She felt him tap her and just smiled. Perhaps she had expected too much and should have offered to help him. She kissed his cheek and looked down at the tiny child.

“I think that’s a perfect name. Everett.” Angela was pleased with the answer and wrote it down once she confirmed the spelling with Simone. “I’ll have Lucian finish all the paperwork. Though he hates me and says I should be the one to do it. He even threatened my grandchildren much to my displeasure. Now I should have some news~”

“What kind of news? Is he unhealthy?” Simone was instantly worried over her new son as she wrapped her arms around Lewis to help hold Everett.

“No, Leilah is nuts.” Angela held up her hand and shook it. “She thinks it’s perfect that you have a boy and she has two girls. Do not let her bully you. She does want to do a lot of playdates but I sense a lot of mischief out of those girls. You know Raile and his tongue… I think those girls will inherit it but Leilah won’t listen to a thing I say as she spoils him. That being said she did send you a whole package for Everett.”

Angela summoned some baby clothes and a new blanket. “She knitted this once she knew you two were adopting but she wanted to hold onto it until you found a baby.” Simone blushed a bit as she picked the blanket up and smiled at Angela.

“It’s perfect thank you.”

“Thank her not me,” Angela chuckled a bit as Simone gently took Everett and dressed him into some of the clothes that Leilah sent. It was better than him just being in the blanket almost naked. Now little Everett was flailing his arms and his legs as he let out noises. He was still looking between Simone and Lewis who quite obviously loved him.

“He is very cute,” Simone smiled at Lewis. “He looks like he could actually belong to us~ Not that he doesn’t but well…” Her face flushed as she brought Everett up and snuggled her face to his. "Here, smell him. He has a new baby smell… The smell makes people happy."

Again, most of the rest of the conversation went past Lewis as he once more lost focus on everything except Everett. Is this what it’s like? He copied Simone, nuzzling the boy with his own nose, and sniffed. It was a unique smell, but not unpleasant. Is this what it’s like to be a father? There was another surge of emotions. Elation. Happiness. Joy. These were things he had rarely felt before Simone, but even with her, they were never at these kinds of levels.

How could anyone… He once more thought to all of the orphans and abandoned children on the streets. Even for me…that’s just cruel… But that was why they had decided to do this in the first place. It wasn’t just to make Simone happy. It was because he wanted to make a change in the world that didn’t involve taking lives, but instead giving them. A delicate balance between the two…

“I’m…happy,” Lewis said, almost unsure of his own words. “Thank you, Lady Angela…”

Simone could feel the happiness coming off of Lewis and it was making her feel even happier. Lewis struggled with his own feelings and she knew that so this was good. Both of them had wanted this and now they had a small family. The feeling was surreal and it was just like she remembered it when she had asked to hold her children after they were born.

Her eyes welled up with tears as she put her face into Lewis’s shoulder. Angela smiled and stood up with Raine, “We’ll be on our way. I just need your signatures and everything will be good.” Simone didn’t even need to look as Angela guided her hand with a quill. After getting both of the signatures the goddess left.

The phoenix sat quietly as the butler brought over a handkerchief and left the room. She tried not to cry but once Everett had taken Lewis’s finger with his little hand Simone quickly began to cry. “I’m not ever going to let anyone ever hurt him. I’m not. I’d kill the person first.” She shook her head. “I can’t lose another child. I just can’t do it.” She buried her face in Lewis’s shoulder. “I love him so much already.”

It was an odd little thing that Everett did, a small motion to grab his finger. The boy had a surprising grip strength for only a day old. That one, tiny little action cemented Everett’s place in Lewis’ heart. He didn’t understand what the emotion was, or how it even worked, but he knew that he would do anything to protect him.

Anything.

Simone felt the same way, and their mutual feelings did something unique with their resonance. It was in full effect, like when they became one, but it was different…it was more. Their bond was so powerful that they remained their separate selves, if only in bodies, to be able to be with Everett.

“You’re going to have a safe place here…” The baby made gurgling noises, evidently happy at Lewis’ words. “Yeah…” he responded, almost as if answering a question. “We’ll love you with all of our hearts…”