35. Quietus

Babies were one of Lux’s favourite things in the world and both Teddy and Zhenya knew this; why they had invited her over to visit when Uncle Archer and his wife arrived at Burton cottage with their newest baby. This one was named Liana and she was just as beautiful as their other daughter, Valeria... who was also still a baby.

“She’s absolutely beautiful,” Lux said, cooing at the little one as Archer held her. Liana had curly dark brown hair, just like her sister. She wondered if she could hold the little girl and was very happy when he gave her permission to. Not like she didn’t know how to handle babies; she was an aunt after all. “Don’t you just love your little cousin?” she told Teddy happily as she gently rocked Liana in her arms. One day she would be a mother but for now she was content with doting on other people’s babies.

At that moment, Gabby walked back into the room. “I just put Valeria down for a nap” Right. Lux didn’t want to wake Valeria, so she would act as if someone had cast Quietus on her.