Tempting Fate

156 Chapter 156: The Tension

Avery glances out the window at the storm and says, “I don’t feel comfortable about this.”

Reed watched Avery intently as he cradled the infant. The baby’s birth has brought joy to Reed’s life, but he also has a peculiar sense and knows that Avery shares this sentiment. Things are looking awful. Nobody can say for sure when this will happen. Alex, the infant, fussed and then went to sleep. As of right now, Emy is still asleep. The doctor said that she was exhausted after giving birth, which was to be expected.

“Let’s eat. We forgot to have breakfast. As a result of the incident, we are still hungry.” Jasmin said. She gave Reed a quick look.

Reed agreed. “OK, let’s go to the basement for some food.”

Reed got to his feet and held out a hand. His and Emy’s new baby’s basket lifted in the air. Jasmin quickly gathered clothing to throw in the basket after seeing this. Reed placed the infant inside when he had finished fixing it.

They went down the stairs together, and Devin came in via the front door. The medical staff has been summoned.

“Sir Devin, what have you done to the medical staff? They seemed to be angry when they got here.” Jasmin asked.

“Exactly what were you expecting I would do?” Devin asked.

“Baby Alex won’t be accommodated tomorrow when he has a check-up, but maybe afterward, they’ll remember you and the baby,” Jasmin said. “He still needs a newborn screening.”

.....

“Screening for newborns? Why? To prove that baby Alex is healthy?” Devin asked. “Baby Alex is not an ordinary creature. He is a prince....”

“Devin...” Devin paused in mid-sentence to look at Reed. “Would it be possible to have Eve drop by?” Reed asked.

“Eve? Princess Eve, you say? Do you mean “The succubus?” Devin asked in astonishment.

“Do you have any other friends, Eve, other than her?”

“Nothing,” Devin said. “I don’t know what I would respond if she asked me why.”

“What are you meant to say? Did I tell you to send her here?” Reed said.

Devin took a deep breath. “I can already tell you will be much more rigorous as a parent.”

Reed smiled wryly. “You will be a dad very soon.”

“Shit! Do not make such a statement.” Devin said.

They strolled into the dining room just as the meal was being served. Beck walked to the edge of the room to see them.

“Food is becoming cold, so I’m rewarming it,” Becky said. She approached Reed. “I can take care of the baby while you’re eating.”

Reed locked his eyes on Becky for a little while. “Then choose a comfortable seat and come sit near me.”

“My king...” Becky was astonished at what Reed had said. Even though she is a woman, she has no place at the king’s table as a soldier.

“Don’t question orders, soldier,” Devin said.

“C’mon Becky get your chair,” Reed said.

Once Reed gave the command, Becky did what she was told without hesitation. Dev chuckled. “It seems I made a blunder. Being so lenient means you will not enforce rules.”

“Devin, can’t you feel it?” Reed asked.

Devin scowled. “Feel what?”

Avery and Jasmin had just started eating, and Devin stole a glimpse at them. After Becky returned with the basket containing Alex, he looked at Reed again. Becky sat in the chair she’d brought and placed the basket on her lap.

“I won’t go into detail since you should already be aware of the subject matter,” Reed said.

As he scooped up the meal, Devin gave Reed a puzzled look.

—

Eve was shocked when Devin informed her that, besides having Emy, he also wanted her to come to the home. After finishing his meal, Devin wasted no time seeing Eve. Dynhir was also there, and while he refrained from commenting on the news, he seemed shocked.

“Are you even going to show up, Eve?” Devin asked.

The joy on Eve’s face as she said, “Yes, I’ll come with...” was palpable. Not even Devin knew the source of her enthusiasm. Maybe she’s excited to meet Reed or wants to see baby Alex.

“Don’t go, Eve,” Dynhir said.

“Why?” With a grimace on her face, Eve asked her cousin.

“You’re too excited to go there. You have no idea Reed’s motives for inviting you over.” Dynhir asked.

“Reed won’t make a decision that would be bad for me. Recently, we’ve been silent.”Eve said.

“You’re a square, and you won’t bend!” Dynhir said.

While Emy nursed Alex, Reed just watched. Upon Emy’s awakening, Jasmin got to work making breakfast. Avery has entered the bedroom shared by Emy, Reed, and themselves.

“You don’t need to do that thing, my queen,” Reed said.

“Sir Reed, baby Alex needs it. He has not lost his humanity. He had to do that for two years.” Avery said.

“Seriously?” Surprised, Reed asked. “For nursing, is your nipple’s only function?”

Both Emy and Avery let out a little chuckle. Reed’s question to her seemed to be very sincere.

“No more showing such frailty, my king,” Emy said. “I know exactly what you’re thinking.”

Reed continued to grimace as Emy held baby Alex. Every time infant Alex sucked on Emy’s nipples, he sputtered.

‘I feel like Alex as a newborn every time I....’

When Devin and Eve arrived, Reed’s train of thought abruptly stopped. When Avery saw Emy breastfeeding Alex, she grabbed a cloth and slung it over her shoulder.

“Yes, you have just given birth!” As Eve walked up to Emy, she made the following statement. When she saw what Emy was up to, she grimaced. “What are you doing?”

“That is called breastfeeding,” Avery said. “A very normal one for a human.”

“Why?” Eve was explicitly astonished. “He doesn’t need it. He’s a demon.”

“Remember that he is a demon who is also human?” Avery said.

As Eve turned to Avery, she grimaced. Reed caught Eve’s gaze. “So, why did you call me here?” Eve purposely loud her voice to Avery and hears it, “Maybe you won’t ask me to take care of your kid since it appears like you already have someone to take care of.”

“She’s my son’s protector and a mother.”

“Godmother, Sir Reed. I don’t want people to believe I’m a mistress. Therefore it’s not nice to hear what you stated.” Avery said.

“So tell me, why do you want me here?” Eve asked.

“I’d want you to meet Alex, my newborn son.”

After Emy finished breastfeeding, Avery grabbed Alex and brought baby Alex to Reed. Reed gets the baby from Avery’s arms. Eve was momentarily speechless after first laying eyes on infant Alex. A while later, Eve approached Reed to check on the newborn.

Eve said, “He’s adorable.”

“I am sure of it because he is my son,” Reed said. “As soon as you and Devin have a family, Alex will have a new playmate.”

“Haist, what are you talking about, Reed?” An irritated Devin said. “Stop talking nonsense!”

Reed smiled. “Hello, Alex, the adorable baby,” Eve said. “I didn’t expect him to be this cute. Can I carry him?”

Reed gave Eve his newborn son, Alex to Eve. As she picked it up gingerly, Eve’s grin remained intact. Avery spoke to Reed directly.

“She doesn’t seem to be sensing it either,” Avery whispered.

“That’s strange, yet up to this point, I’ve felt the stress everywhere,” Reed said.

“I’m getting antsy too. Couldn’t this have something to do with little Alex or Emy?”

“If there is, then what might it be?” That’s what Reed wanted to know. He inhaled deeply and wondered whether it had anything to do with the angel’s message. Fortunately, Emy survived, and the baby was unharmed.

“Hello, Miss Emy, your food has arrived,” Jasmin commented as she approached Emy with a tray and served food. Everyone looked at Jasmin. While Jasmin was tending to Emy, she smiled.

“It’s humiliating on your part, Jasmin. You don’t have to do this.” Emy said.

“It’s alright, Miss Emy. Because you’re just hanging out with dudes, nobody will bother to look after you. It’s OK, don’t worry about me. What I’m doing now fulfills me. Therefore that’s good enough for you and me.” Jasmin said.

“Where is my handsome grandchild.”

Everyone then saw that Emy’s dad and her other siblings had arrived at the door. Eddie walked over to Emy and gave her a quick forehead kiss the moment he laid eyes on her. Reed got Alex from Eve and handed it to Eddie.

“Baby Alex, tay!” Reed said.

When Eddie saw the baby, Reed was holding. He turned to him with a broad grin.

—

A room was empty, with only Emy and her family. There was a mass exodus from the house, with everyone converging in the living room. When Eve saw Avery by alone, she decided to approach her.

“You appear to have become stronger, shaman,” Eve said.

“It’s good you noticed,” Avery said.

Eve laughed mockingly. Reed went up to Eve, and Avery departed at Eve’s side.

“Are you going to tell me why you want me here?” Eve asked.

“If you remember, tell me how you felt when you first laid eyes on baby Alex,” Reed asked.

.....

“What do you mean?”

“Please, just respond to my question.”

“Well, it’s clear from my initial response that he’s adorable. I was surprised that he seemed humanlike. There’s no evidence to prove he’s a demon. I don’t know when he’ll reach puberty.”

“That’s it?”

“Why? Is there a need for more?

“Is he a danger in both realms, in your opinion?”

“You can’t take him seriously because he’s too adorable and too little,” Eve said. “What’s bugging you, if anything, Reed?”

Reed inhaled deeply but remained silent.