Page 55 of Wolf's Redemption

Chapter 19 Cathy

My heart wouldn't stop pounding, and even though Eric told me everything was fine, I didn't get the idea that what I had prevented from happening at all costs happened.

"Come on, you can be certain that everything’s going to be ok," Eric said, caressing my cheeks. "You have nothing to be afraid of."

I thought about my son and dreaded the thought of having to be separated from him or that they would want to take him away from me. Eric didn't look like that kind of man, but having spent so many years under my father's yoke made me wary, especially of those who claim to care about me or show a little affection.

"I'll be fine. It just came as a surprise," I replied, straightening up again. "But I'm glad you reacted that well."

Eric pressed himself closer to me and wrapped his huge arms around me. His body gave off a gentle warmth that embraced my soul, and his scent made the tension in my body slowly fade away.

"I can't judge you for what you did," he said, running his hand across my forehead to remove the strands of hair. "You had your reasons. The important thing is that you're not alone now. You have my whole family and me."

I nodded, licking my lower lip and still breathing a little labored.

"Do you think your parents will take the news well?"

He gave me a slight smile but with the particularity of conveying peace to me. "They will be overjoyed. My mother has always wanted grandchildren, and being the only son puts all that responsibility on my shoulders."

"Elliot is a very sweet and smart boy," I said, "Would you like to see some more pictures?"

Eric's face lit up, and he nodded frenetically. "Of course, I would."

I grabbed my cell phone, and Eric settled down on the bed. I settled between his legs and leaned back against his chest. I could feel his pulse on my back and his breath on the back of my neck.

"I love feeling you close," he mentioned kissing me on my neck, which made my skin crawl.

Sitting there, I felt loved, like I was in a box of romance that I didn't want to leave for anything. After sighing and sinking deeper into his chest, I searched among my albums for one I had created just with pictures of Elliot and moments we had lived.

"Look, this was the day he was born. He was so tiny and fragile," I shared, showing him the first picture a nurse had taken of us together. Elliot was covered with a yellow blanket and had a red nose tip.

Eric held my hand before I passed it over to him to look at some more. His breathing had calmed, and his eyes were fixed on the screen, admiring every detail of the photo.

"I'm so sorry you had to do all that by yourself. I would have loved to be there with you and the baby," he said, his voice low and wistful.

I snuggled closer to him and sighed. "It's not your fault. It was the decision I made. I was young and afraid for my future and my baby's."

"I know, but I still kept thinking that something bad could have happened to you."

He stroked my cheek, and I showed him the video of his first steps. I recorded every accomplishment and every event to treasure forever, and there beside Eric, showing him everything he had missed, I knew it was the best decision of my life.

"Our son is precious. He has your eyes," he said.

"Only that. Otherwise, he looks just like you. Every day he was a living picture of you, and it made it harder for me to forget you."

Eric chuckled quietly. "Another reason to love our son more."

"I've got one you're going to love," I said, scrolling the screen and looking for a specific video. "I found it!" I shouted unintentionally.

I opened the video, and it showed our son sitting in his feeding chair with his face smeared with mush. The video looked a little bad because my hand was shaking as I recorded it. It was a video of Elliot shaking his favorite little plastic spoon, and after a few attempts, he managed to say the word ‘dad.’

Eric took the cell phone from me and put the speaker to his ear to listen to it again. His eyes turned red, and tears welled up in his eyes.

I melted with love to see him like that. I was touched in every way and felt like the luckiest woman in the world.

"He said ‘dad,’" Eric said, shaking his body from side to side.

I suddenly remembered that I would be leaving the next day and this was my last night at the mansion, but I didn't have the courage to say it, not at that moment. My mind ignored everything around me and wandered through my thoughts.