He still didn't know if he had managed to give the child his legacy. When he shared with his wife, he didn't know if he could give the child away. He didn't know the rites and didn't know what to do to make her his own.

The morning was the coldest since they arrived in town. As usual Leigh got up early while Ruth swiveled from side to side wanting to stay in bed. He kissed her, teased her, but she sleepily didn't react. He went down to the run whistling and dispensed with the milkshake he normally drank.

Ruth can hear him leave. Fifteen minutes later, he couldn't go back to sleep. Happy got up, willing to go with her routine. I would walk. As soon as he walked through the door, he found his neighbor on the sidewalk.

─ Good morning! ─ Annette said going to meet her. Ruth returned the greeting with a broad smile. ─ We were worried after what happened on Thanksgiving but you seem happier.

─ We are fine. We talked and hit it off. ─ He smiled. If Annette wanted to comment that she commented how well she and her husband were. ─ We made up. ─ He accelerated his pace.

The pace of the walk did not allow for conversation. The neighbor struggled to follow her. They soon reached the end of the street. A long, steep descent began. That's where I used to come home.

─ Glad to know. You are radiant! Annette stopped short when she noticed Ruth standing with her hands shielding her eyes from the sun, staring at the beginning of the slope. He followed her gaze and recognized Leigh. From the distance it would have been difficult to define anyone, but his physical bearing and quick, steady stride made him unmistakable. The young woman's smile widened as she waved at her husband and he responded. Annette couldn't help but admire her when something big and black and fast scraped her right leg. She jumped to the side, startled, letting out a scream of horror at what followed.

 

Ruth stopped as soon as she saw Leigh. She looked raptly at her husband, admiring his strength and endurance. She waved and he responded. She was surprised when Leigh dropped her hand and, on a sudden impulse, started to run. She had a split second to look to the side, but she didn't see him coming. She felt the impact that took her to the ground without understanding what had knocked her down. In the next second the right shoulder was torn open.

Shouted.

He shielded his face and his arms were the target. Panicked, she could only glimpse the black monster above her devouring her. There were screams all around him, but the snarling sound was unbearable. Pain tore through her as she felt her paws on her belly. He yelled aloud. It's higher. Tried to protect the baby and the breast was bitten. I no longer had the strength to scream. The pain in her stomach blinded her. She struggled, pushed what attacked her without success. He was dancing over her, over her belly, stepping, biting, killing her and her son. Whatever... If I couldn't have the child, it would be better to die with him.

Leigh ran less than the three miles she did every day. He always crossed the highway, but imagining his wife still in bed brought him back. Slowed down on the return. Then he saw her. She was standing at the top of the slope that edged the park. He was talking to nosy Annette Keller. He smiled. Despite the distance she also recognized him. Ruth nodded and he responded. Soon the smile faded and a foreboding came over him. He squinted his eyes trying to figure out what he sensed.

He focused on the Rottweiler dog a second before the animal freed its leash.

His warning cry went unheard. She shot up the slope before the animal had even dropped her. He ran as he had never run in his life. She saw people trying to get the dog off her. The beast growled and threatened to bite anyone who approached, but it would not let go of Ruth. He accelerated even more and two meters ago he pushed his body, kicking the dog with all the strength he could muster. The whine was short. The animal rolled onto Ruth and landed just ahead.

Agile rose and attacked his new target.

Leigh grabbed him by the neck in mid-leap, twisted her hands, bent one knee, breaking the animal into it in one swift swipe. He dropped the animal at the same moment that the people around him approached to help his wife. With a muffled moan, he bent over her. Ruth was unconscious, her bloodied wounded arms draped over her body.

─ Don't touch her ─ an authoritative voice commanded. ─ I already called an ambulance ─ Chief Kanston arrived.

─ She is bleeding profusely. Annette moaned in anguish seeing the blood between the young woman's legs.

─ No! ─ Leigh despaired falling to her knees beside her. He still hadn't managed to split. He had not been able to give his offspring to the child. I knew what would happen. 'No, no, please... not again...' he touched the injured body, trying to contain the flowing blood.

A circle of onlookers formed. A blanket was delivered and the sheriff covered it.

─ Leigh, take it easy, the ambulance is already on its way...

─ No! I don’t have time… ─ he muttered.

Leigh moaned, leaning over her. I wouldn't let her go through that again. Clumsily he placed his hand on her stomach and tried to recite the sharing rites. I couldn't remember the words. He tried again and fumbled. She was trembling and when she realized she was crying. Slowly he took her in his arms and began to walk. I had to get her home. For Salastiel.

People talked and he didn't hear them. He refused to wait for the ambulance. Repeated only home, home. He didn't see Elton Kanston guide him to the vehicle. He got into the backseat without letting go of her. Annette barely sat in the front seat before the car started up. The policeman radioed the hospital. When they stopped, a team was already waiting at the entrance. People scrambled to get her out, but Leigh held her in her arms.

─ Put Ruth on the stretcher, Leigh. There they will take care of her.

─ No, I need to go home with her... and call Sarkivon. He knows what to do.

─ Let's take care of her now, Leigh. Come down. ─ In shock, he obeyed.

Elton helped him put the girl down on the stretcher. She was quickly taken inside. Leigh stood there without moving. I tried to breathe. He looked at his wife's bloodstained hands. She shivered, clutching her temples. The air lacked, the chest burned. He was useless, a failure, a being unable to protect those he loved! A weak koryak should not belong to any clan. It deserved to be banned as it was. The board was right in the decisions taken. He wasn't worthy to be a koryak, let alone the Master Master of his people. Her pain exploded through her body. The anguish for the suffering of the son. Her child, her little light was going out.

He turned without knowing where he was. He raised his eyes to the sky, then his bloodied hands.

A strong hand landed on his shoulder and he looked at Chief Elton without really seeing him. He was guided inside as Ruth disappeared into the emergency area. Theodore Tisdale ran into the emergency room listening to the nurse's report on the patient's injuries.

Annette warned her friends. Within minutes, Hope, Patricia, Nancy, and Pastor Johnson arrived. Leigh was already sitting in a chair and rocking back and forth in anguish. The pastor put his hand on the shoulder of his young friend who turned to look at him with eyes flooded with tears.

─ I wasn't with her. A monster hurts her and again I wasn't by her side. It is my duty to always be close to her. ─ he lowered his head in anguish ─ I had to always be by her side. Ever. Was not. I do not know what to do. I don't remember the words, I don't know how to warn Salastiel. She will lose the legacy and hate me even more. You can never forgive me.

─ In the hour of anguish, turn to the Lord, my son.─ the reverend advised.

─ Oh God! My God! ─ The young man fell to his knees, his body trembling, not caring who saw him. ─ Help me in this hour of distress. Oh God, grant me mercy even in my failings. Even with my sins. Safeguard my wife and my child. Protect them Lord! ─ He continued for several minutes surprising with the strength of the prayer. Finally he managed to calm down.

He got up the moment Theodore returned.

Everyone turned to the doctor expectantly. He approached slowly.

─ Are you alright? ─ Theodore asked worried. ─ Got bitten?

─ My wife? ─ It was a tense moan ignoring the question.

─ I need to know if you are okay. Got bitten?

─ My wife? ─ He repeated, straightening up and waving no.

Theodore took a deep breath.

─ Bites were deep, but there was no involvement of important muscles or veins. Luckily she managed to protect her face. ─ spoke slowly ─ You are sedated, you are not feeling pain. The wounds were treated. It's stabilized and will be fine. ─ the doctor hesitated.

─ My child? ─ Leigh was nervous. The pastor placed a hand on her shoulder.

─ The dog stayed on the belly. From what they said it was a big and heavy animal. The weight and movement caused the placental detachment. Ruth had a serious hemorrhage. She needed blood and is receiving a transfusion.

─ Is my child alive? – he asked tensely. ─ Will my child be alright?

─ The degree of detachment makes pregnancy unfeasible. There is no longer enough blood flow. The fetus is already in pain. ─ tried to be as gentle as possible. ─ There is nothing we can do but induce labor...

─ Induce delivery? No! And too soon! Too soon!

─ Yes, it's too early. ─ the doctor said sadly ─ But the lesion in the uterus is big. The centimeters of the placenta that remain attached are not enough to sustain the pregnancy. The fetal heart rate is slowing down and should stop in a few minutes, maybe half an hour. Let's wait until... we can get it out. ─ an oh of pain escaped everyone. ─ If only she was a little over seventeen weeks old there would be a chance. But the baby is still too premature. Leaving it inside the mother until the last moment is the best way to... a little more time and... there would be at least a small chance.

─ Ruth is twelve weeks pregnant. Not seventeen. – Leigh said without listening what doctor was saying.

─ Seventeen. The fetus is already formed. Seventeen weeks.

─ Twelve weeks, doctor ─ he repeated, looking sideways. ─ I thought and breathed.

─ It is linked to equipment that gives us the precise age of the fetus. Your wife is seventeen weeks pregnant.

─ It doesn't matter. Too soon! ─ he shook his head. ─ I want to be with her.

─ You can stay while... we prepare everything.

Theodore walked away to lead him into the bedroom. Leigh wiped her face and followed.

Ruth was reclining on a high bed covered with a sheet. The bandaged arms and shoulders. Her eyes closed, her face wet with tears, and her breathing tight. Several wires connected her body to equipment that Leigh didn't understand.

Theodore left him. Leigh looked at the monitors. One drew a line coordinated with his wife's heartbeat. Another he had to get closer to understand. The sound of liquid being pumped filled her ears. He moaned, recognizing the baby's shapes on the screen. Perfect. Entire. He moved restlessly, banging his little legs against the uterine wall. Thrilled Leigh touched the screen with his fingertips. Your child was alive.

She kicked her little legs harder and Ruth's stomach quivered.

She placed her hand on her stomach and felt the slight movement. He crouched down beside his wife, pressed his face to hers, letting the tears mingle. He opened his hand over his wife's belly and kissed her lips three times.

─ I take you as a daughter ─ he whispered. ─ I give you my immortal offspring, my gifts, my family name and legacies. I take her as a descendant and she will forever be a princess of the Koryak. ─ he opened his hand even more ─ Please stay with me. Accept what I offer you. ─ he kissed his wife's lips deeply ─ I love her Lyubov. And I love our daughter. With all my heart, with all my immortal essence, with all my mortal body. I love them more than the sun, more than the moon, more than our people and our laws. I love our child! ─ kissed the belly. ─ I love her. You have the power to heal yourself. Accept my offspring. Please, do not go.

 

─ I don't want to go, daddy. ─ she surprised Leigh looked for the little girl around the room. He looked at the picture. The baby bent all the way to where his hand was. ─ I don't want to go. It hurts.

─ No need to go. It's a Koryak now. And a Koryak is healthy, it can heal! I love her my child. I receive you as a daughter. You are my princess. My legacy. Receive my gifts. My strength. My life.

He kissed the spot where her belly churned. On the screen, the baby snuggled where his hand was resting. He placed the other in the same spot and a dim light appeared under them, warming the room. To be divided for a child created infinite peace. He closed his eyes, letting himself flow into them. The sound of medical equipment became clearer and more rhythmic.

Ruth opened her eyes. She touched her belly in fear. Her husband's hand covered hers.

─ She is fine. he muttered weakly. ─ Our child is fine.

─ Leigh. ─ He rested his lips on hers.

─ Everything is fine. I did it right now. I did. I know I did. ─ The voice weakened and he staggered slightly.

Nurses arrived to prepare her and take her to the operating room. Uma gently pushed him away as the doctor entered. Dr. Tisdale glanced at the monitors, seeing Ruth awake, taking her pulse.

─ Wait ─ he ordered looking at the baby monitor. He saw an active fetus with a normal heart rate. ─ How do you feel? ─ she was slightly flushed and was breathing well.

─ I'm fine. My baby?

─ Looks fine... The nurses looked at the equipment. ─ Let's go to the ICU. I want to monitor you longer before operating. ─ was quickly answered.

The gurney was already gliding through the hallways when Ruth muttered a thank you and Leigh responded with an I love you. The hands only loosened when she entered the ICU. He stood outside watching his wife being transferred to a bed. Another nurse came down the hall and asked him to move away from the door. James, Nancy, Annette, Jeffrey, Patricia, and the pastor rounded the aisle as he complied. I was dizzy and weak. He staggered to his knees.

─ Leigh ─ James ran and helped him to his feet and lean against the wall.

Leigh forced her chest for air. Jeffrey found a chair at the end of the hall and he sat down and bowed his head.

─ Did you eat today? ─ James worried. ─ I'll get you something. What you want? One coffee? A sandwich?

─ I don't want anything.

─ How about hot chocolate? And Mrs Lanfond gave him what she said.

She bent down so she could look at him. She was carrying a bag of clothes. He let everyone go to the hospital and went about practical things. She always knew what he liked, what Ruth needed before they asked. For the first time Leigh saw the housekeeper for what she really was. A loving lady, helpful and concerned about her family.

─ How are the mother and child doing?

─ They'll be fine ─ he smiled. He opened the glass and took a sip. The drink warmed him. ─ I think it's time to call us Leigh and Ruth, Nice. ─ tried to smile at her. ─ Thank you. Thanks for everything.

 

Ruth left the ICU the following afternoon. Leigh spent the night on the sofa in the waiting room, but was in her bedroom when she arrived. He held her hand as they transferred her to the bed. After they were alone, he kissed her on the lips and, to her surprise, on her stomach. He rested his head on his stomach, pressed his lips together, and spoke to the baby very softly. Stopped. He listened and responded.

He kissed his wife again with a wide smile.

─ Our child is fine. She said she can stop worrying that everything will be fine. She also said it wasn't his fault ─ he brought his lips to hers. Said I must say that I love her every day for the rest of my life.

─ Do you... do you hear her?!! ─ Ruth asked in awe.

─ Hear. And I saw her too. In the future ─ Ruth was surprised. ─ I can't tell you any details, but she is a beautiful little girl, very beautiful!

─ A girl? ─ she asked emotionally. Girls were rare among the Koryaks.

─ Yes, a girl. Beautiful as her mother. She has your eyes, your nose... ─ she joked a little tearfully.

─ Do you really hear her? ─ Leigh nodded in agreement ─ Did you accept her as one of your lineage?

─ Yes. I did it right! She is mine now. It's a real Conanlescaut.

─ There is no doubt? Does it break her bonds with......him?

─ Perhaps there is no link. ─ sat on the edge of the bed. ─ Lyubov, you are in your fifth month of pregnancy.

─ What?

─ You are seventeen weeks pregnant.

─ But it was twelve that... Seventeen?

─ Seventeen!

─ So who is...?? Leigh, how is it possible?

─ Ruth Coombs got pregnant seventeen weeks ago ─ kissed her hands again ─ Do you understand?

─ No.

─ Seventeen weeks. Ruth Coombs. Anton Leigh.

─ Is it...possible? I... she... Is it possible? ─ understanding came gradually.

─ There is a precedent remember?

─ A single precedent thousands of years ago! ─ was scared ─ Does that mean what a new being is? Isn't it a legacy?

─ Salastiel said it was God's gift to us,' he murmured tenderly.

─ But... Leigh we need to know. We cannot live with this doubt.

─ It doesn't matter to me. Whether it's his or not doesn't matter anymore. She is mine now. I accepted her and love her. It has my ancestry and my family name. And mine and he... don't you dare approach you. It's ours. And the gift that Salastiel said we would have in this cycle. You'll love her less if...

─ Nothing will change the way I feel about her, but we need to know why, if there are links between them and now you can hear her, maybe he can too.

─ We have no way of discovering this. ─ tense. I hadn't considered the possibility.

─ We don't... we... she has no biological part of her.

─ It doesn't change how I feel.

─ I know not. But if it's not his, then it won't have a biological part of him either.

─ What are you thinking?

─ Tell Doctor Tisdale what happened. Order a DNA test.

Leigh went to see the doctor in the office, leaving Ruth in Nice's care. Theodore was not surprised by the visit and stopped what he was doing to receive him.

He pointed to the chair.

─ I came to thank you, doctor. he said sitting up.

─ No need to thank. What happened to your wife is rare and I'm as happy as you are that everything is fine. But if you came here looking for explanations, I'm sorry I don't have them. What I noticed was that Ruth's healing is very good and this certainly helped keep the pregnancy viable.

'I didn't come for that.' He hesitated. ─ I came because I want to confirm how long Ruth has been pregnant.

─ One moment ─ pulled the plug on the computer. ─ Tests show she is starting her fifth month. Seventeen weeks and three days to be exact.

─ Is this reliable?

─ Yes, fully trustworthy. This type of mistake is very common.

─ What kind of mistake?

─ Most women do not note cycles. When they get pregnant they tend to confuse dates. This always raises doubts about the length of pregnancy. Usually even within weeks, which apparently happened to you! When I examined her at the appointment I thought the pregnancy was more advanced, but her wife was accurate on the date she became pregnant and I did not question her.

─ Did she get pregnant in September?

─ No. The exam gives us the exact date considering all the pregnancy maturation information. Today we set the conception date with Swiss precision. By calculations his wife conceived between the 30th and 31st of July. And the baby must be born by April 23rd.

Leigh took a tense breath.

─ There are no doubts? ─ he asked hoarsely.

─ No ─ the doctor straightened the body. ─ Lescaut if there is any doubt about paternity...

Leigh looked at him in agreement. His tone was husky and hesitant when he spoke.

─ Ruth and I... we always took precautions. I was a student and it wasn't time for us to have kids. ─ breathed taking courage. ─ Ruth was raped. ─ he said at once ─ Until now we thought that this pregnancy was the result of this violence. That was twelve weeks ago and... If you've been pregnant for more than twelve weeks...

─ I understand. That explains the trauma.... I can only say that she is seventeen weeks pregnant, but if you really want to be sure, and Ruth will allow it, we can do a DNA test.

─ That's what she asked. I said it wouldn't make a difference, but she said we better know.

─ I agree with her. It’s good to know. Find this lab, take a blood sample. ─ he began to write down ─ I will, in person, collect material from the fetus for us to compare. ─ He held out the paper to him. ─ And don't worry, whatever the result, from everything I've seen so far, you are the father of this child.

When Ruth was released, two days later her husband carefully carried her to her room. The doctor recommended complete rest, although everything seems to be fine. He gave a recommendation to return in a week.

Leigh finally relaxed. She dropped her formal clothes and adopted jeans and a T-shirt in her usual attire. For some reason, which he didn't explain to anyone, he wanted to learn how to cook. So he left Ruth in a comfortable armchair in the kitchen and ducked in front of the stove, causing his wife and housekeeper to laugh with their concoctions. Nice soon realized that the best part of this apprentice was the ease with which he chopped vegetables. He was agile in handling knives of any size.

She left the house only once to shop and the room Ruth used began to be transformed into the baby's room. A week later, on their return, Dr. Theodore confirmed with a new exam that they were both fine.

This time Leigh followed closely.

The doctor chuckled in wonder at how the fetus stirred at Leigh's tone.

─ Your son is already attached to his father, Ruth. You will have to conform.

─ To the father... Do you already have the result?

─ Not yet. A few more days. It takes a while. ─ continued the examination.

─ It doesn't matter. ─ Leigh spoke watching the baby on the screen in wonder. ─ It's my child and nothing will change that. ─ smiled at his wife ─ My child.

─ Leigh...we have to know...

─ Blood won't change that, Ruth. ─ He smiled happily. ─ Look. Is beautiful.

─ Want to know if the baby is a boy or a girl? ─ the doctor asked finishing.

─ Ah... I already know. It's a girl. It's my daughter. ─ Leigh said proudly.

The hospital receptionist smiled as the attractive man stopped at the counter. He must have been about thirty-five years old, he was blond, tall, manly and with honey-colored eyes.

─ Good morning! ─ greeted smiling looking at his big hands. No alliance.

─ Good morning. I would like to see Dr. Tisdale.

─ Doctor Tisdale isn't on duty today  ─ the smile died. Looking for an obstetrician could only be married and a future father. ─ If you want to make an appointment for your wife, we have a vacancy for the next week, she suggested politely.

─ It's not a consultation I'm looking for, I don't have a wife. I need to talk to him today.

─ Unfortunately he's not there ─ the smile returned.

─ Can you tell me where to find him? Or give his number? ─ The harsh tone surprised her.

─ Sorry, I can't give you the number, but if I say what it's about, I'll send a message.

─ The subject is private. ─ Rebutted rudely.

─ If you are not patient and there is no one who is patient, then unfortunately I cannot give you the number. ─ She reaffirmed annoyed. The man took a wallet from his pocket, opened it on the counter. The young woman recoiled in surprise at what she read. ─ Just a moment, please. ─ wrote something down on a piece of paper. ─ Do you want to call from here?

─ Do you know where I can find him? I prefer to speak in person rather than call.

─ I heard him tell his wife that he would meet her at the Lescauts' house for lunch.

─ And do you know where the house is...?

─ I have the address. ─ strummed on the computer and passed on the information.

─ Thank you very much. ─ thanked taking the paper.

─ Thank you very much. The man thanked and rewarded the young woman with a smile.

In the car he took the paper and read it. He didn't know the city so he drove slowly. He passed through busy streets until he reached the prime area of ​​the city. Large, comfortable residences lined the street with their elegant, traditional facades. The houses reflected the lifestyle of the owners. I felt I was close. Very close.

Finally a solid track.