Title: Worthy
Fandom: 9-1-1
Genre: Contemporary, Drama, Inexplicable Babies
Pairing: Gen (series be Evan Buckley/Eddie Diaz)
Rating: PG-13
Challenge: Big Moxie, Q1-2023 Inexplicable Babies, To Every Season Original Winter, Q1-2023
Warnings: No beta
Author Note: I envision this as the first installment in a bigger series, but I haven’t named the series yet. I’ve mucked about with mythology like whoa; I accept no judgment. Thank you to Polaris for making the banner!
Timeline: Pre-series
Word Count: ~5,930
Summary: Evan and Cyrus meet by chance while helping a family in a broken down vehicle in a remote part of Peru. Evan’s life will never be the same after Cyrus finds him worthy of a special gift.

Worthy

Cyrus didn’t exactly regret seeking out the family in distress, but he certainly hadn’t known it would create such a time obligation.

He’d been doing a wish baby evaluation of a couple in a remote town in Peru when he’d felt the distinct magical tremors of people in distress—which he could easily ignore—but there were children present, which wasn’t something he’d been prepared to leave to chance.

It was a mother and her two children, stuck in a car that was more duct tape and prayer than actual serviceable parts. Maria had recently lost her husband and was trying to get her children back to her mother’s family home, who had promised to take them in and help in the aftermath of their loss. The family of three had been stuck for hours and were running low on water and food.

He’d met Maria and offered the name of Cyrus—the name he used on the mortal realm. Names had power amongst his kind, and offering your true name was something done with care. As a result, even offering the pseudonym of Cyrus was an odd thing.

Cyrus himself didn’t have a vehicle to help the stranded trio since he traveled via magical means, but he was able to provide water and food, claiming to have plenty on him. He’d magically discouraged Maria from asking too many questions about where he’d come from after he’d claimed he was hitchhiking to a town a couple of hours away.

Overt displays of magic were generally forbidden because they were not supposed to expose themselves to humans. As a result, he couldn’t just use magic to make the car functional. He’d been contemplating using magic to seek out and give a gentle summons to a nearby motorist to turn onto the remote road. Before Cyrus could act on that plan, a car had stopped and a young American man who spoke passable Spanish hopped out and offered to help.

The young man, Evan, had gotten along with Maria much better than Cyrus had. Better yet, he’d easily brought the spirits up of the children, making them laugh and play despite their clinging aura of grief. The bright, happy sounds had calmed Cyrus’ agitation at having to interact with Maria.

Children were fine for his type to be around, they had to be considering what he was up to on this plane of existence, but he found most human adults annoying. It probably made him a poor choice to do custodial evaluations—he tended to find all adults lacking—but he’d lost a critical wager with his son. So, he was the one roaming about the wilds of Peru, obligated to a stranded family and unable to simply magic them away to safety.

Despite his general dislike of human adults, Evan Buckley was cut from a different cloth. He’d rarely, in his many centuries of life, seen an adult get along so well with children. That was a trait Cyrus found compelling. There was no sense of him looking down on the kids or patronizing them when he answered questions. He simply took delight in their presence and treated them as having meaningful contribution.

Cyrus had been a second from refusing the ride from Evan—Maria had expressed to Evan that Cyrus was a hitchhiker—but curiosity about Evan himself made him accept. He was so rarely interested in mortals anymore, but Evan intrigued him. Cyrus wondered what had led to Evan’s evolution in life—what had brought him to this place, where he was obviously not from.

A twist of his magic would easily glean the answers to his questions, but he wanted to suss out more of the knowledge for himself.

“Where are you headed?” Evan asked as he finished getting the kids and their stuff settled in the back of the old vehicle called a Subaru, which he claimed belonged to his roommate. The wagon-type vehicle was stuffed with the small family’s prized possessions, taking up most of the rear and the floorboards under the children’s feat. Only Evan’s backpacking gear was left to crowd whoever sat in the front.

Cyrus could easily go on his own way at this point, since Evan could get Maria and her two children to her hometown without any further intervention on his part, but he was curious about the mortal. He decided to linger and get those answers.

Cyrus picked an arbitrary town on the path toward Maria’s where it would be easy enough for him to split off from the group when he’d had enough of mortal shenanigans. The drive would give him plenty of time to get his answers about the mortal who’d caught his attention.

“Great,” Evan enthused. “That’s right on the way to where I’m taking Maria. I can drop you. And that’s probably a good spot for us to stop for an early dinner anyway.”

Maria demurred in Spanish, stating she couldn’t afford anything besides fuel for their journey. Spanish, like many languages wasn’t something Cyrus actually spoke but he understood fine due to the nature of his magic. In his many centuries, he’d picked up of the spoken form of several mortal languages, but Spanish wasn’t one of them.

Evan waved off her protestation, saying he could easily buy everyone a meal or two. He turned back to Cyrus. “Maria’s going to ride in the rear with the kids. The front is a little crowded, but I’m sure we’ll all fit.”

Even if Cyrus were inclined to say no, it would be almost impossible in the face of all that sweet earnestness from Evan. He agreed, and soon they were driving with everyone’s laps laden with totes and duffles that were filled with the precious things of a family starting over.

Conversation during the drive was idle and somewhat frivolous, from Cyrus’ point of view, as Evan was determined to include Maria as much as possible in any discussion. Not to mention the amount of time he spent talking to the two children. Cyrus’ specific questions he’d had in mind weren’t answered, but he still learned quite a bit about the nature and character of this interesting mortal.

When they reached the town that was ostensibly Cyrus’ destination, he agreed to join the group for a meal, which they got from a street vendor, then ate at a small outdoor table near a fountain.

The mortal food was good—interesting flavors and spices. Cyrus and Evan both had seconds, and Evan readily paid, though Cyrus attempted to take care of it.

The children were tired after the meal, so Evan offered Maria the keys to his vehicle so they could and rest until they were ready to begin driving again. It was foolishly trusting to give his keys to the woman, but apparently thinking that she might drive off with his vehicle and possessions never crossed Evan’s mind.

“You’re very trusting…” Cyrus said leadingly.

Evan shook his head. “I have a good sense about people. Maria just wants to go home; she’s not looking to steal my stuff.”

“And you have a sense about me?”

“Well, I sincerely doubt you’re really hitchhiking.” Evan gave him a meaningful look, specifically at Nuada’s clothes, which were of high quality, though he’d made sure they were of appropriate mortal design. “You’re much too clean,” Evan finally supplied.

Cyrus shrugged. “You’re correct, after a fashion. I don’t have transportation that could handle all of us, and it’s not available at this time anyway.”

“Hmm.” Evan tilted his and smiled. “Are you just going to have to get back to where I picked you up?”

“Eh. Not specifically. I’ll let them know where to get me; it just won’t be for a day or two. This is as good a place to stop and rest as any other.”

Evan made a vague noise but didn’t press the issue further.

Cyrus shifted to sit across the table from Evan. “Considering you’re in a fairly rural part of Peru by yourself, I gather you’re without family of your own?”

“You mean children and a spouse?”

Cyrus nodded.

“No, not that kind of family.” He fiddled with his bottle of water. “I have a sister I haven’t spoken to in a very long time.” He hesitated. “Two parents. That’s about it.”

“No other extended family?”

“Both parents are only children and my grandparents on both side have passed. I’m sure there are some distant cousins some degree removed out there.” Evan made a vague gesture. “But I’ve never heard of them. No, it’s basically just me and Maddie and she doesn’t talk to me anymore.”

“Why not?”

Evan raised a brow and looked like he was considering whether he wanted to answer. “I’m not sure. We used to be really close when I was young. At least, I though we were.” He was quiet for a long moment, looking thoughtful. “She’s nine years older than me, so maybe it’s safer to say that I was very attached to her and didn’t take it well when she left for school.” Is brow furrowed in thought. “I clung to her and I think I convinced myself we were close even though, looking back, I believe she was avoiding spending time with me almost from the moment she left home.” He scowled a little. “God, I’m not sure why I’m telling you this.”

“I’ve heard I’m easy to talk to.”

He gave a huff of laughter. “I’m a bartender; I’m supposed to be the one that’s easy to talk to.”

“I think you are easy to talk to; the children certainly find you to be so.”

Evan’s smile became softer. “Kids are great. They’re easy, uncomplicated. They just want to feel safe and loved.”

“Mm.” Cyrus realized as much as it was in his nature to care for children, he didn’t practically want to get to know many of them. He cocked his head. “So, you think you manufactured this closeness with you and your sister?”

“I think she loves me, but, yeah, I think the closeness I imagine isn’t real. We don’t really know each other in any adult fashion. She spent very little time with me from when I was eight until I was nineteen, but then she did something pretty amazing for me and helped me get away from a situation that felt like it was suffocating me.” His smile became a little bittersweet. “She gave me her Jeep and some money so I could leave and find my way in the world. I asked her to come with me, but she wouldn’t. I guess I can’t blame her—why would she want to uproot her life, family, and career to wander around the country aimlessly.”

“Was it truly aimless?”

“At first, yeah. Eventually, there was more purpose. I settled down in Colorado, starting building a life.” Evan sighed. “I lost someone I cared about and came to Peru. Running away is how Buckleys deal with wounded feelings, I think.”

“Taking some time to get your bearings isn’t a faulty strategy. Was this recent?”

“About six months ago.”

Cyrus nodded. “I’m sorry for your loss.”

“Thanks.” Evan took a swig of his water, looking off in the distance.

“Where’s the Jeep you mentioned? This gift from your sister that has such meaning…”

“I left it with a friend in San Diego. I’d thought about going to Mexico, car and all, but another friend of mine works at this resort in Punta Sal who said he could get me a job, and it seemed like Peru was a good bet for a while. Clear my head, surf, get laid a lot.” He gave a self-deprecating grin, and Cyrus’ magic told him that Evan often used sexual relations as a means of getting simple affection. Not an unheard of strategy.

“You’re close with your friends?”

“Some of them, though friend is a pretty blanket, utilitarian term. The friends I’m closest with are… Well, I guess there are two. One is in New York now, though we had some friction for a while, but it’s better, and we have good reason to keep trying to work things out. The other is the friend in San Diego. The guy I followed to Peru, however, I guess he’d best be characterized as a buddy. More than an acquaintance but not a long-lasting friendship. We share an apartment to save on rent, and he’s trying hard to save money for some lofty dreams.” Evan shrugged. “It’s been good for me.”

“But you’re considering leaving,” Cyrus stated with certainty.

Evan frowned. “How do you know that?”

“You’re starting to speak of your time in Peru in the past tense.”

“Ah.” Evan chuckled. “Yeah. I just applied to the fire academy in LA. I think I’d like to be a firefighter. I did some volunteer S&R work while I was in Colorado, and I felt like I was close to something that would be meaningful for me. But things change. They always do.”

“So, you’ll be moving to Los Angeles?”

“Maybe. It could take a while to hear back from them, and then even if they accept me, it could be a few months before I get into a class. I think the academy is about four months, and if my acceptance is timed badly or the next class is full…” he trailed off and shrugged again. “They say from application to graduation, to allow up to eighteen months—assuming you’re accepted, and I sure the hell don’t know what their looking for in an applicant.”

“Mm.” He considered for a few seconds. “I think you’d be a good firefighter, just because I think helping people is something you’re naturally inclined toward.”

Evan blushed and ducked his head. “You barely know me.”

“I have my own instincts about people.” Cyrus didn’t need any flex of his powers to know that the situation with Evan and his parents wasn’t good, so he didn’t press any further on the issue of past family. It wasn’t surprising that someone with so little family connection would want a family of their own; what was surprising was how good and natural he was at being with children considering he had no younger siblings and almost no extended family.

Clearing his throat, Evan asked, “What about you? Family?”

“Lots of far-reaching extended family. Divorced, and I have one grown son.”

Evan’s brows shot up. “Grown?”

“I’ll take that as a compliment. I’m quite old enough to have a child your age and beyond.” So, so far beyond. “Gwyn is very busy with his own vocation, and I don’t see him as often as I’d like. Though I’m here in Peru because it was his turn to do a scouting mission for our… I guess you could call it a business venture. Anyway, he was supposed to be here; his organization was definitely due, but I lost a small wager.”

“So you had to come yourself? What are you looking for?”

“Just opportunities for growth, I believe you might say. It didn’t strictly have to be me, but it wouldn’t be fair to pass it off to people who weren’t due to make this trip just because I was foolish enough to bet with my son.”

Evan smiled. “I like that you’re fair about it. You kind of have this vibe of someone with a lot of power, you know? Maybe I’m wrong, but it seems weird that you’re stuck out here in the middle of nowhere when I figure you could farm out whatever this task is.”

“I’m not stuck exactly. I was where I was supposed to be, and I would have been picked up in a day or two. Still will be. Maria’s needs diverted me from my course. And, yes, you’re correct that I could have delegated this assignment, but I try not to be a complete despot.”

Evan laughed, and it was bright and honest. There was something about human honest laughter that could reveal the true character of a person to one such as Cyrus. And Even Buckley had a clear, shining soul. It was probably best that Gwyn hadn’t been along on this mission as Gwyn did like to dally with mortals. A soul like Evan’s would have appealed to Gwyn at a deep level, probably to such a degree that Gwyn would have tried to take Evan back with him. Of course, the odds of Gwyn doing an evaluation himself were slim. He was definitely more the delegation type.

It was interesting to Cyrus that Evan obviously knew that Cyrus was providing half truths, but didn’t seem put off by it, nor was he inclined to press further. His curiosity practically radiated to Cyrus’ magic, but the young man let the partial truths alone.

“You want children someday, Evan?”

“Yeah, definitely. I’ve always wanted a big family. I just don’t know that I’ll ever find a partner to have a family with, you know? I don’t seem to connect well romantically with people. I actually figured I should increase my savings for a surrogacy fund so I can someday have a child.” He frowned and pointed at Cyrus. “Stop with the bartender effect. I like being inscrutable.”

Cyrus laughed outright. The notion of Evan Buckley being inscrutable was absurd. “Pretty sure you’re an open book to anyone who cares to pay attention.”

Evan scoffed. “You say it like anyone is paying attention. Anyway, I have a small inheritance I’ll get from my grandparents when I turn thirty, and I’ve been saving pretty well, so I should be able to afford a surrogate pretty easily someday.”

“Have you ever considered wishing for a child?”

“I mean, that’s in the back of my mind—doesn’t everyone think about that?—but they don’t just give babies to single people all that often. Also, single men are only about twenty percent of the recipients in the case of wish babies gifted to single parents. I figure why put energy into wishing for something that will never happen.”

“It can’t hurt to put that wish out into the universe. Make the plea and move on with your life.”

Evan frowned. “I think I wished when I was twelve.”

“Pretty sure that doesn’t count.” But Cyrus could probably make it count. All properly directed wishes should register and be recorded even if some were immediately put into a ledger to be disregarded, such as someone being a child at the time of the wish.

“Fair enough, but why set myself up for disappointment?”

“Forget the ritual aspects of it all and the offers to the various sects of the fae—who really knows which one of them are responsible for handling the wish babies at any given time, right?”

“True.”

“Just wish. You’re getting on with your life, making permanent choices about your future, so just throw it out there what you’d like to see for yourself. You know, for that matter, give me all of it. Tell me everything you want for you life.”

“Why?”

“Just because I think you need to tell someone, and I’m willing to hear it. I’m willing to carry that wish with you.”

“Bartender effect.”

“I’ve made a few drinks in my life.”

“I’ll just bet you have.”

Cyrus grinned and wiggled his eyebrows.

Evan sighed and turned the bottle in his hands around in circles. “In the long term, I want a family. A partner who loves me as much as I know I’d love them. I’d like kids—so many kids. I’d like to show them the childhood I never had, make them feel wanted and loved. Supported and valued.”

The admission of the kind of childhood Evan had was something Cyrus could do without. He wasn’t on this plane of existence to seek vengeance. “Would you love any children your partner came with?”

“Yeah, of course. Kids…they’re all lovable, you just have to take the time to get to know them.”

In Cyrus’ opinion not all kids were lovable, but he hoped Evan Buckley never encountered one of the children who just weren’t quite right in the world. He’d probably break his own heart trying to help them through the sheer power of his love.

He gave Evan a pointed look. “And…?”

Evan blinked at him.

“Wish for a baby—a child of magic, gifted to you because you’d be a good father and would treasure the gift you were given.”

“Fine. I wish I had a baby, and I promise I’d do my best to ensure that child was happy, healthy, and given as much love as I could provide.”

Cyrus felt the wish settle, and the magic in him knew Evan Buckley was a suitable candidate. He leaned back and cocked his head to the side. “I have a theory about single parents and wish babies.”

“Oh? What’s that?”

“I think there’s no reason not to give children to single persons, but I think the powers that be typically wait until singles are over the age of thirty to consider those petitions. By then, so many of the single people who made wishes are partnered, so it’s not apparent that their single-person wish was a factor. And the now-couple would have to wish as both partners need to agree and be evaluated. Also, I think magic considers an unknown future romantic partner an issue in how the child will be cared for, so single parents are screened with more care. ”

“That’s a nice theory, but there’s no way to know for sure. And we know there are people under thirty who have been granted children.”

“True, but I think those are exceptions for remarkable people who even magic doesn’t think require more time to grow into themselves as loving parents. These are people who can be everything a child needs on their own and won’t devalue the children in their life with the advent of a new relationship.”

Evan’s smile was a little sad. “Again, nice thought.” He blew out a breath. “Well, that’s me wishing and hoping and praying,” he said in a sing-song voice. “Enough for one lifetime since that’s really not my thing. Shall we get on the road? Are you continuing with us?”

“I’m good here. My people know where to find me. You’re on your way back to Punta Sal?”

“Yep. It’s just a couple hours of detour to drop Maria and the kids off with her family.”

Cyrus noted that Evan didn’t point out that it was at least three hours each way, so about six hours or more out of his way to do this. “You’re a good soul, Evan Buckley. Never let anyone tell you otherwise.” He extended his hand. “I have a feeling we’ll meet again.”

Evan shook his hand. “I hope so. As disconcerting as this bartender effect is from the other side, I enjoyed meeting you, Cyrus, and I think I’d be blessed to run across you again.”

Cyrus smiled, the wording a magical covenant even if Evan wasn’t aware of it. He wondered how many wish babies were in Evan Buckley’s own ancestral line because he was remarkably in tune with the right phrasing for magical accords. “Blessings of magic be on you, Evan. May you know love and peace.” It wasn’t the benediction Cyrus often granted—peace certainly wasn’t his usual domain—but he could bestow any magical blessing he wanted, and he felt strongly that Evan deserved for his soul to be at peace.

***

Cyrus knocked on the door of the small apartment in the cheaper section of Punta Sal. He knew magically that more than one person resided here but that only Evan was presently home. That suited his needs perfectly. He imagined Evan wouldn’t linger in Peru long after Cyrus’ visit.

It had been a month since he’d last encountered Evan Buckley, the minimum time for this sort of magical working.

The door opened and sleep-rumpled Evan appeared, looking bewildered. “Cyrus?” Then he took a step back, brow furrowed. “How did you know where I live?”

Cyrus let a small flare of aura appear around him. “A little magic.”

Evan took another step back, this time looking startled. “You’re not human?” Though he was obviously shocked, Cyrus didn’t detect any true fear coming from Evan.

“Not even a little. May I come in? I have some things I’d like to explain to you.”

Evan stared for a long time but then opened the door wide and gestured for Cyrus to come in. “I have roommates, but they work days and I work nights right now. Sorry for the chaos around here.”

“Believe me, I’ve seen worse than a bachelor’s apartment.”

“Beer?” Evan asked.

“If you’ve got something more interesting than pale water calling itself beer.”

“One of my roommates is fond of stout, so we’ve got dark beers on hand. Just a second.” Evan returned with a cold bottle for Cyrus and a glass of what was likely tea for himself. They settled in the small living area which had an old couch and two chairs. “What can I do for you?”

He took a long drink of the dark beer, finding the taste pleasant though still not quite strong enough for his palate. “Do you know why wish babies exist?”

“No. Does anyone? They just are.”

“A few people know the truth, though those who know generally are the sort to understand that they shouldn’t speak of it.”

“Okaaay.”

“Wish babies carry a small amount of fae magic; not enough to make them fae or give them true magical gifts, but they’re often a little smarter, or a little more talented. That legacy is passed on, and after hundreds upon hundreds of years, most humans have small ties to fae magic. Some more than others in ways we can’t control due to how your peoples intermix. We watch it carefully to ensure that true fae gifts don’t develop, that true magic doesn’t begin to flourish.”

Evan’s eyes narrowed. “And how does that benefit the fae? Because I’m assuming that it does.”

“You’re correct that the children are not purely a form of altruism. When the fae chose to retreat from this plane of existence, we didn’t realize that the removal of all of our magic risked closing the way to our dimension. In theory, this wouldn’t have been an issue since we were seeking isolation, but the way the fae dimensions were crafted, they pull from the Earth itself. So if the path collapses—”

“Does the dimension cease to exist?”

“Indeed. Or, rather, they collapse. To prevent this, we seed our magic in small amounts back into the Earth so that the pathway stays open—a magical bridge. This benefits us, naturally, but we resolved long ago to handle these children responsibly. Too many could start to result in the actual evolution of fae children. Too few could defeat the purpose as the magic would completely die out. We are also dedicated ourselves that these children should be treated well and go to the deserving as the fae value children.

“Consequently, every potential parent is evaluated to ensure they’re deserving of the gift of these special children of magic. The initial screening is done from our various dimensions with magical interventions, but final choices are made when we actually go meet and interact with the potential parents.”

“I take it that you don’t usually reveal yourself as fae and that you’re screening them for a wish baby?”

“No, never. But I feel like I can tell you, Evan. You’ll keep my secrets, I think.”

Evan nodded. “Besides, who would ever believe me?”

“True.” Cyrus smiled, and he knew it was a little bloodthirsty. “I was on such a mission when I encountered Maria and her children, and then you stopped to help us. All trivial and mundane things, no?”

“Was your mission successful?”

“After a fashion.” He set the beer bottle on the small table and leaned forward, bracing his arms. “I was ambivalent about the couple I was evaluating, but I’d found this particular trip to this plane tedious anyway, and I’d wondered if I wasn’t simply becoming jaded. In truth, I’ve probably been jaded for a very long time.” He blew out a breath. “To be blunt, every sect of the fae takes turns evaluating the petitions for wish babies. My people’s turn was over; it lasts approximately fifty years by your calendar. My son’s was next.”

“The one you lost the bet to?”

“Yes, and putting it back on my people who had just finished this duty felt callous, so I took Gwyn’s turn.”

“Gwyn…” Evan trailed off, looking thoughtful.

“Commonly called Gwyn ap Nudd, ruler of the Otherworld.”

Evan’s brows snapped together in deep frown. “Wait. Gwyn ap Nudd? So, you’re…?”

Cyrus let his glamor fall away, revealing his signature prosthetic that moved just like a regular hand. “My true name is Nuada, oft called Silverhand by your peoples.”

“Oh holy shit. You’re the king of the Tuatha Dé Dannan.”

Nuada inclined his head. “You can still call me Cyrus if that’s your preference.”

Evan made a choking noise. “I’ll call you whatever you want, your majesty, but I don’t think your chosen name is what I’m stumbling over. I’m just…” He rubbed his hand over his face. “Why are you here?”

“Call me Nuada, then, Evan.” He gave Evan a pointed look then held out both of his arms, summoning the child that had been created for Evan Buckley. The typical delivery basket appeared by Evan’s chair. “What I told you about why people under thirty are rarely chosen as parents was true.” He got to his feet and set the baby in Evan’s arms, who seemed to react out of reflex to hold the child. “But you are a bright, shining soul, and I would be a foolish king indeed to not see one of our special children into your care. Please welcome your son.”

Evan stared up at him, mouth hanging open, eyes wide. “What?” he finally croaked out.

“The moment the babe appeared on this plane of existence, his birth was recorded with the local office of vital statistics, whatever it might be called in this region, with you as the sole parent. The other DNA was provided by another wish parent from long ago who also was granted a child as a single.” Nuada gave him a soft smile. “I would not have done this in this time and place except that the Peruvians revere wish children; they’re among that the most respectful of the Gift the fae have bestowed, so I imagined there’s an entire brigade already being assembled to come and assist you with whatever you may require.”

Nuada looked away, letting his magic extend out into his seeing. “I think your destiny is indeed in Los Angeles. The Peruvians will offer you citizenship since you have a wish baby who was delivered on their soil, but consider following your heart; it hasn’t led you astray.”

Evan’s mouth opened and closed a few times and he finally blurted out, “You’re just giving me a child?”

Nuada raised one brow and smiled faintly. “That’s how wish babies work, Evan.”

Evan snapped his mouth shut and finally pulled the baby closer to his chest. He looked down at the little boy. “He’s really mine?”

“You’re his father, yes. We usually keep them in the fae realm a little longer, sleeping and growing under our magic, but it takes a month for the child to develop once the parent has been chosen.”

“He’s a newborn? That’s why he’s so small?”

“Yes. Literally hours out of his spell orb.”

“Oh.” There was a small sniffle. “I can’t believe this is happening.”

Nuada went to one knee in front of Evan and placed a hand over Evan’s where it was holding the babe. The child had a faint dusting of dark hair, and Nuada could sense that the trait came from the Buckley line in spite Evan being blond. He also knew that the child would have Evan’s eyes.

“Never doubt that you were chosen because you are worthy. You are everything we look for as a parent to these children, so trust yourself. And trust your instincts about people because they will not steer you wrong. Consider those instincts a small talent from the fae magic you yourself have through your lineage.”

Evan managed to tear his gaze away from the babe and look at Nuada; his eyes were bright with unshed tears. “So… Los Angeles, huh? You really think I’ll be a firefighter?”

“I think helping others is your calling, whatever form that may take. Just remember not to lose yourself in a vocation such as that. You can’t care for yourself and your son if you give every piece of yourself away trying to save someone else.”

Evan nodded. “I’ll remember.”

“I know you will. Do you have a name for him? The minute you speak it, his birth record will magically update.”

“Matias.” Evan looked back at the baby, smiling softly. “Matias Gabriel.” Gift of god, god is my strength.

“A good name.” Nuada got to his feet. “I take my leave of you now.” He let himself see again. “Someday, you’ll meet the person who makes you feel whole. When you do, you may tell them of me and how I brought Matias to you.”

Evan stared up at him. “Your majesty—”

“Nuada,” he said firmly. “Or Cyrus if it’s fixed in your mind. I offer my true name rarely, and I’d be honored if you’d use it, however, the choice is yours.”

“Nuada.” He looked around. “How can I have a baby while I’m living here. I have nothing and no way to care for him, and—”

“Evan, stop,” he said gently. “They’re on their way. We always consider where we’re leaving the child. I would not have left Matias at this time if I didn’t know that all would be well.”

“But who is on their way?”

“Men and women of the town. They’ll help.” He looked off into the distance. “You’ll have at most thirty minutes with your son before you’ll have more assistance than you’ll be able to handle. Let them help you. Matias was given at this time because we know that these people would come. Pride serves neither you nor your son.”

Looking overwhelmed, Evan held the baby close and nodded his head.

“Farewell, Evan Buckley.” He laid his silver hand on Matias’s head. “And farewell to you, Matias Buckley. I foresee great things for you and your father. Love each other well.”

With that, he let his magic find the path back to Underhill, leaving the new family to start their journey together.

The End