Canes of Divergence Read Online Free Page B

people would think you’re crazy for even talking about babies. If I went back there now, with him…” She shook her head. Truthfully, she couldn’t even imagine it. Her life in Bristlecone seemed like a million years ago now. In some ways it was as if she’d never lived there at all. “What’s your rush?”
    Thomas shrugged and pulled the baby closer, cradling him against his chest. “If I’d lived as long in your world as I’ve lived here, I’d be somewhere around a hundred and sixty years old. You’d be a hundred and seventy. Somewhere in there, I think wanting a family is pretty normal.”
    “Maybe.” Quinn still wasn’t sure.
    “Do you regret marrying Will?”
    William’s hand tightened on her knee, and she looked up at him. “No. Of course I don’t.”
    “It just doesn’t stop you from imagining other possibilities, does it?” William asked quietly.
    She shook her head. “It’s just…nothing prepared me for this, you know? It’s probably still the same school year in Bristlecone.”
    “Yes,” William said, nodding. “It’s been less than two months there since the last time we came through the gate.”
    “I will never wrap my head around that.”
    “Showing up there now with a husband and a baby would present more problems than just your age.” Thomas chuckled.
    “Uh, yeah, no kidding. Maybe it’s best I can’t actually go back right now.” But even just saying those words set off the ache in her chest again. Although outwardly she was still smiling, William’s hand moved from her knee to around her waist, pulling her closer to him, and she leaned against his side.
    No, she didn’t regret her decision to marry him even a little bit.
    “Can we come in?” a voice called from the doorway.
    “Of course,” Quinn said, smiling at Charlotte and Stephen.
    She pushed back the covers to stand up and go to them, but Charlotte held her hand up.
    “You stay right there. It’s our job to wait on you for a few days.”
    She sighed, but sank back against the pillows as William stood instead to go and hug his parents. “Will the waiting on me stop after a few days?”
    Charlotte chuckled , and gave a wry shake of her head. “No.”
    “You’re a queen now, Quinn,” Thomas said. “At some point, you’re just going to have to get used to it.”
    “No promises,” she grumbled.
    “If I can get used to it, so can you,” Charlotte said, though her attention was almost fully on the baby now, as she lifted him from Thomas’ arms. Sitting down on the edge of the bed with him, she held him up so she could rest his soft little cheek against hers, and then she cradled him again, kissing him gently on the nose.
    “I never thought anything would be as wonderful as snuggling my own babies,” she said softly. “But, oh, grandbabies might be even better.”
    “Gee, thanks,” Thomas said, though he was still watching the baby with such wonder that it was obvious he wasn’t actually offended.
    “Now that,” Stephen said, coming to stand beside Quinn, “is a beautiful baby. From an equally beautiful couple.”
    “Thank you,” Quinn said.
    “He’ll make a wonderful king someday.”
    Though she smiled, the thought made her breath catch in her throat a little. He was so tiny – she wasn’t ready to imagine him as the heir to the throne.
    “Hush, Stephen,” Charlotte said, handing the baby back to Quinn. “You should know better than that by now.” She nudged him gently wi th her elbow, rolling her eyes. “When Simon was born, I had to tell him that, outside of the Naming Ceremony, he wasn’t allowed to mention anything about my baby running a kingdom until he was at least walking. He’s been pretty good about holding back with Evelyn, but maybe he thinks you’re different because you’re the ruler.”
    With the baby safely back in her arms, it was easier for Quinn to smile about that.
    Charlotte rested her hand on Quinn’s shoulder. “Queen or not, you need time to just enjoy