At the door of the room Elena had prepared for her, Dimitri held it open while Sera settled Takoda against the pillows. She pulled the blanket up, smoothed it once, and pressed a kiss to the child's forehead with the naturalness of someone who had already decided this was simply what one did. Takoda did not stir.
They stood together in the doorway for a moment, looking at her.
"Goodnight, little one," Dimitri said quietly.
He drew the door gently closed, and they stood in the corridor in the soft light without speaking for a long moment.
"Kade is going to have his hands full," Sera said finally.
Dimitri agreed. Then, very quietly, with something in his voice that sounded like relief and wonder and gratitude all at once, he said, "Good."
They moved to their designated bedroom and took their rest.
---
