It felt like my sister had been gone with my baby for hours, but in reality, it had been, at best, half an hour. Still, while the rest of us milled around in the dark forest, drinking champagne and waiting, I couldn't help but glance anxiously into the darkness.

What was keeping them? Why weren't they coming back?

"Patience, trouble," Sinclair said behind me, and I sighed. Without looking at him, I leaned against his chest, raised my champagne flute to my lips, and took a sip.

"Those two words don't go together, and you know it," I muttered, frustrated.

His warm chuckle resonated against my back as he wrapped an arm around me. "Only you would try to rush a goddess."

"She's my mom!" I huffed, looking up at him and crossing my arms. "I'll rush her all I want."

Sinclair laughed again and shook his head. "Let Cora and Roger have this time with Rafe. It's special for them, too."

"I'm dying to know if they'll see anything about his future," I said, looking back at my mate with a wide smile. "Do you think they will?"

"If I had to bet?" Sinclair said contemplatively. "Considering who Rafe's grandmother is? Then… yeah, I think they'll get a glimpse. But don't push them too hard, Ella," he advised. "It's their experience as much as his. If they choose to keep it to themselves, that's their right."

"Oh, yeah, whatever," I said, rolling my eyes. Fat chance I was letting Cora keep secrets about my son's future from me. As my mind raced with possibilities, I saw something flicker in the darkness. I stood up straight, eager, peering into the shadows. I felt Sinclair do the same behind me.

Then I burst into joyous laughter as I saw my sister, Rafe nestled happily in her arms, emerging from the trees, Roger's arm around her shoulder. Sinclair put two fingers in his mouth and whistled sharply as I shouted, "Cora!" and dashed into the woods, happy to see them.

My sister gave me a broad smile as we met beneath the trees, happily handing my baby into my waiting arms. I cooed a greeting to him, checking the bond to ensure he was fine. When I was satisfied that he was happy and relaxed, I looked up at Roger and Cora eagerly. "So?" I asked, breathless. "How'd it go?"

"It went well," Roger said reassuringly. "No problems; he did beautifully."

"Of course he did!" I laughed, smiling down at my baby, who fussed a little in his blankets. He was tired, I'm sure, even though he was always up at this time of night. "He didn't have to do much, after all, just lay basking in the moonlight."

Cora laughed and stepped away from Roger, putting an arm around me. "Come on, sis," she said. "Let's get a glass of champagne, and I'll tell you everything."

When we returned to the group of family and friends, everyone cheered and raised their glasses to us, a gesture that filled me with warmth. It was wonderful to see this milestone in my child's life celebrated. I leaned down and kissed my baby on the head as Sinclair handed Cora and Roger champagne and then came to my side.

"How is he?" Sinclair murmured, leaning down to check on the baby.

"Perfect, angelic, magnificent, as usual," I murmured.

"As usual?" Sinclair asked, raising an amused eyebrow. "Usually he's screaming like a banshee."

I blinked innocently at my mate. "That doesn't detract from his perfection. He's just… expressive."

Sinclair laughed and shook his head before turning to Cora and Roger, who approached us.

"Soooooo?" I asked, excitedly. "Did you… see anything?"

"Ella," Roger said, smirking and putting his hands in his pockets. "Don't you know that what happens between a child, his godparents, and the goddess on the night of his baptism is a private affair?"

"I swear, Roger," I warned, narrowing my eyes, "if you keep this from me, I will torture you for the rest of your life—"

My brother-in-law playfully bared his teeth, leaning forward. "Ah, Ella, but don't you see? Now I have the power to torture you, as I have information you want, and I'm going to make you pay through the nose for it."

"You're dead to me," I declared impassively, turning to my sister. "Well?" I asked, my question directed only at her as Roger laughed.

"Oh, you know," she said casually, unable to keep her lips from twitching. "We just saw the normal sorts of things for a little boy. His life is going to be rather boring, actually. Uneventful, dull."

"What?!" I asked, my face falling, glancing between her and the baby.

"Yeah," she said with a shrug. "We saw a lot of crossword puzzles in his future. He's going to get really, really into rock collecting, but not in an interesting way that leads to a career in geology. Just… hoarding rocks. In his bedroom. Through his forties."

I glared at her, taking in the small smile on her lips. "Liar," I said, starting to laugh, my sister joining in. She glanced at Roger, who wrinkled his nose at her and raised his champagne glass. I watched this exchange, curious. Did something else happen in the woods?

But I didn't let myself be distracted. "Come on, Cora," I urged, taking her arm and pulling her away from Sinclair and Roger. "Tell me, please, for real. Did you see anything?"

"We did," she said warmly. "He has… a big future, Ella. But it will be a happy one, with love and courage to balance the trials. I know more, but… do you want to know?"

And suddenly I realized that I didn't. I looked my sister in the eyes and realized that I wanted to be surprised. That I wanted to watch my son's life unfold organically, to experience it with him. I tilted my head, considering, and realized this was perhaps why godparents took the child to this ceremony—because the goddess's gift was too much for those who loved him most. That perhaps the best gift was the mystery.

"No, Cora," I said, putting out an arm and hugging her. "Thank you. That's perfect. That's all I need."

She nodded, understanding, and turned to rejoin the group. But I didn't let her go just yet.

"Cora," I whispered, pulling her close again, biting my lip eagerly. "When you went into the woods with Roger, you were… different than when you came out. Did… did something…"

She gave me a smirk and a shrug. "That, sister," she said quietly, pulling me forward, "is a secret I'm keeping to myself. You're too nosy. Some things are private."

"So there is a thing!" I exclaimed, digging in my heels, desperately wanting to know this mystery, if not my son's. "If you're keeping something private, something happened!"

"Come on, Ella," Cora said, laughing. "Come celebrate with us. I'm not telling you a thing."

"She's selfish, Rafe," I sighed, shaking my head at my son, who was falling asleep. "Cruel Auntie doesn't tell us anything. But you know, and I'll get you to tell me as soon as you're big enough to talk."

He just made a face and squirmed away. I narrowed my eyes at him, wondering if my baby was taking Cora's side.

"Come on, little mate," Sinclair said, wrapping an arm around me and ushering me forward into the group. "Let everyone see the baby, and then let's go home. It's time for breakfast."