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Sarah directed Matthew to hold Rebecca up so that her face was turned to the sky

"Rebecca Arielle Eh the clearing, "elcome you into the world and into our hearts Go forth with the knowledge that all here will recognize you by this honorable name and hold your life sacred"

Rebecca Arielle Emily Marthe, the trees and the hispered back I was not the only one to hear it Aaret Wilson cooed and waved her arms in joy

Mattheered Rebecca, his expression full of love as he looked down on the daughter who resembled him so much Rebecca reached up and touched his nose with her delicate finger in return, a gesture of connection that filled

When it was oddess and the elements of fire, air, earth, and water

"Philip Michael Addison Sorley," Sarah said, "we also welco that all present will recognize you by this honorable nalances when they heard Philip’s last given nalass We had chosen Addison because it was ed to the absent Gael I wished he had been able to hear it echo through the trees

"May Rebecca and Philip bear their narow into their promise in the fullness of time, and trust that they will be cherished and protected by all those who have borne witness to the love their parents have for the with unshed tears

It was i or to knoas the hter ed by the occasion and sucked pensively on her lower lip

Fro we deca everybody down the hill The rest of us used a combination of ATVs and cars with four-wheel drive, which led to ratulation on Matthew’s part as to the wisdom of his automotive preferences

At the church the crowd of witnesses swelled to include people froe, the priest aiting for us at the door

"Does every Catholic religious cere Philip’s blanket more firmly around him

"A fair few of them," Fernando replied "It never made any sense to me, but I a the priest with concern "Père Antoine is adhtly over the usual exorcisms, but let’s not push him Now, does anyone know the words of the ceremony?"

"I do," Jack said

"Me, too," Miriam said

"Good Jack will take Philip, and Miria The rest of us will look attentive and nod when it seeave the priest a thurave;re Antoine!"

Matthew tookto be okay?" I whispered The godparents included only one lonely Catholic, accolican, three witches, a daeious persuasion

"This is a house of prayer, and I beseeched God to watch over them," Matthew murmured as we took our places near the altar "Hopefully, He is listening"

But neither we--nor God--needed to worry Jack and Miriam answered all the priest’s questions about their faith and the state of the children’s souls in perfect Latin Philip chortled when the priest blew on his face to expel any evil spirits and objected strenuously when salt was put in his tinycurls, one of which was clenched in her fist

As for the rest of the godparents, they were a forroup Fernando, Marcus, Chris, Marthe, and Sarah (in place of Vivian Harrison, who could not be there) served with Miria with Hamish, Phoebe, Sophie, Arandson Gallowglass) prouide and care for Philip Even for a nonbeliever such as myself, the ancient words spoken by the priestto be looked after and cared for, no ht happen

The cererave;re Antoine asked Matthew and odparents When we faced the congregation for the first time, there was one spontaneous cheer, then another

"And there’s an end to the covenant!" a unfamiliar vampire said in a loud voice "About bloody time, too"

"Hear, hear, Russell," severalout overhead My sht up in the happiness of the o wrong

The south door opened, letting in a gust of cold air Ato hout the church, va the new arrival fro any further inside

I drew closer to Matthew, holding Rebecca tight The bells fell silent, though the air still reverberated with their final echoes

"Congratulations, sister" Baldwin’s deep voice filled the space "I’ve come to welcome your children into the de Clerht Without a backward look, he handed Philip to Jack and marched down the aisle to his brother

"Our children are not de Clermonts," Matthew said coldly He reached into his jacket and thrust a folded docuathered for the christening let out a collective gasp Ysabeau signaled to Père Antoine, who quickly shepherded the villagers from the church Then she and Fernando took up watchful positions on either side of Jack and e a corrupt, diseased branch of this fa and respect?" Baldwin crumpled the document in his fist

Jack’s eyes blackened at the insult

"Matthew entrusted Philip to you You are responsible for your godson," Ysabeau renore your sire’s wishes"

Jack drew a deep, shaky breath and nodded Philip cooed for Jack’s attention, and when he received it, he rewarded his godfather with a frown of concern When Jack looked up again, his eyes were green and brown once again