Chapter 1597
Lucy cried out again, louder this time, her voice a song of earth and sky and life. Her body opened like a flower. With a final push and a rush of warmth and light, the baby slipped into Jude’s waiting hands.
She was glowing.
Wet and tiny, but radiant, her skin shimmering like moonlight filtered through amber. Her fingers curled around Jude’s thumb, impossibly small and impossibly strong. Her eyes opened - and they were golden.
Lucy collapsed back into Emma’s arms, tears streaming down her cheeks as Jude lifted the baby to her chest.
"Oh gods," Lucy gasped, clutching the child. "She’s perfect. She’s ours."
The others gathered close, some crying, some laughing, all silent in the face of the impossible.
Then Grace fell to her knees.
"I - " she panted, hands gripping her thighs. "I think - me too - "
Her water broke in a sudden splash of golden liquid, soaking the grass beneath her.
Rose turned instantly. "Then help her. Don’t be afraid."
No one moved away. Instead, they leaned in. Supported. Whispered. The field, the trees, the whole island became a cradle. The energy from Lucy’s birth hadn’t faded - it was growing, feeding the others. Jude handed Lucy’s baby to Zoey, who wrapped her gently in soft petals, and then moved to Grace’s side.