She lifted a hand out to him from under the coverings, and he clutched it like a lifeline.
“I’m quite well. And very happy.” She motioned to Mrs. Culliford to bring her the babe. She gazed up at Brogan, her own eyes glistening with unshed tears, then turned to Drew and Mr. Huntley, who stood in the doorway. “I hope you all know how very much I love you.”
“If it is one-tenth of the love and gratitude we have for you, Lorena, then we are blessed indeed,” Brogan responded on behalf of them all.
“Look, Captain,” Mrs. Culliford urged, stepping forward with the bundle. “Look at your son. He is exceptionally beautiful, I daresay.”
Brogan drank in the sight as she approached and laid the newborn on the bed beside Lorena, then loosened the blankets. He saw a tiny red face, an amazing face with a thick crop of hair, gingery brown like his mother’s. Brogan gazed at Lorena, astonished.
As Drew and Mr. Huntley moved closer, he touched one of the babe’s hands. Brogan spread the miniature fingers and they curled around one of his own. His breath caught in his throat.
A tear slid down his cheek. He looked again at the babe, then back at Lorena. “Thank you.”
His wife smiled sweetly, and Brogan used his free arm to embrace Drew. This beautiful boy of seven years was also his son.
At seven years, Brogan had been a dirty, scrawny orphan on the run with nowhere to go, living off the streets. As a man, he now possessed the means and wealth to assure his children would be afforded every opportunity he’d been denied. Not only that, but this incredible woman, his wife, had borne him a flesh-and-blood son. Though he’d not love this new child any more or less, it felt good to know his blood was bonded to a family. His family.
With thanks and glory to God, Brogan took stock of these and all his blessings, which at the moment seemed too numerous to count.
He took Lorena’s hand in his, unable to believe what treasure he beheld. A prize indeed.