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Magnus put his hand onme and Aleks alone As I entered the rooave her a bottle and burped her I hope that’s okay”

I nodded “Of course, thank you”

Aleks shifted nervously “She’s a really good baby,” he offered

“She is,” I agreed I couldn’t help but think he alive her up I couldn’t say I blamed him

“You didn’t want to go to the birthday party?” I asked,else

“Crowds aren’t really ,” he murmured “I know I need to push myself a bit more, but a party for twelve seven-year-olds?” He smiled and shook his head

I wasn’t sure what he’dhimselfhe’d gone through what Maggie had, but for even longer, broke my heart But I knew he probably didn’t want my pity

“I didn’t like those parties when I was seven,” I said “So I hear ya”

Aleks relaxed a bit more, then stepped forward and handed Willa to h he had short hair while Dante’s was long like Jace’s I knew both brothers were of Brazilian descent, but that was all I really knew I guessed Aleks to be a little older than me

Willa gurgled and sent htness I’d been feeling in my chest eased

“It’s incredible, isn’t it?” I whispered “Those eyes…”

I shifted o away for a bit”

“Yeah,” I said “That’s it exactly”

A look of sadness passed over Aleks’s features, but hehis eyes “Well, I’ll leave you two alone”

“Or you could stay,” I suggested “I don’t know the first thing about kids and everyone’s always talking about how you have a ith them”

Aleks see in his eyes that looked a lot like longing He finally nodded “If you’re sure,” he said

I nodded There was a ot settled on the floor I held Willa while Aleks pretended to attack her with the panda, which had Willanoises Our conversation was stilted at first, but by ot easier and easier, and as she fell asleep in s