Have Hope

Chapter 24

"Life's under no obligation to give us what we expect." Margaret Mitchell

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Long A/N but please read for future story info x  

Chapter Twenty – Four

Kit was relieved at the feeling of joy that filled him when he learned he had a brother. It was such a pleasant change from the despair that had taken up residence in his heart these last weeks.

"He came February seventh," Cassian informed him, "as an early birthday gift for Lucy."

"And all is well?" Kit asked his mother, concern in his tone.

Faith nodded. "All is well," she assured him. "He is healthy. I am healthy. I did not want to inform you in a letter," she added tentatively. "I wanted for us all to be together."

"I understand," Kit replied. "In fact, I am glad I can be here to meet him. Please, introduce me," he urged.

Cassian proudly led the family out of the library. Faith walked beside Kit and the girls followed behind.

"He is very excited to have an infant son," Faith whispered to Kit. "But I do not want you to worry. You will always be his eldest."

Kit had not been worrying. In fact, he was in suddenly realisation of something. This boy was Cassian's blood son. His heir. Legally, this boy would be in receipt of everything. He would be responsible for Lucy and Emma, if they were not married, upon his inheritance. It was an odd feeling knowing that an infant, twenty-two years his junior, was to be responsible for his sisters.

As it had been with Emma, the baby was not kept in a nursery, but in a bassinet in his parent's bedroom. The bassinet was a gorgeous white, wicker bed draped with gossamer fabric.

Lucy and Emma trotted over to the bed, peeking inside. Kit followed carefully being led by his parents. In seeing the four of them surrounding the bassinet, Kit felt such a sense of home. No matter what happened in the future, he could not make the same mistake by walking out on his family again. These people, his people, were far too precious to him.

And there was now one more to love.

Kit peered inside the bassinet. The baby, his brother, was sleeping. He looked so peaceful, unaffected by how cruel the world could be sometimes. Kit got down on his knees so we was looking in at the same height as Lucy. He reached in carefully and stroked his brother's cheeks. It had been a long time since he had felt the softness of a baby's skin. In fact, Emma had been the last baby he had held. It would never cease to amaze him how smooth they were.

He was wrapped in white bedclothes, and a small cap was keeping his head warm, but Kit could see little tufts of dark hair poking out from underneath it. His eyelashes were dark as well. He had definitely inherited Cassian's dark features.

This dear child was so innocent. Heir or not, this boy was another one of Kit's younger siblings. He would always be responsible for him, and he would be glad to guide him.

"What is he called?" asked Kit softly.

"Tom," said Cassian proudly. "Thomas Sky Kensington is what he will be christened."

The significance of his second name did not escape Kit. It honoured his mother's first born son, the child she had lost.

"A good, strong name," Kit decided. "Welcome to the world, young Tom."

"I am so happy you are home, Kit," Faith said quietly.

Kit met his mother's eyes and saw that they were glassy. "Mother, don't cry."