Edith swallowed, disbelieving. “You gave up immortality for my son?”
“I made my choice,” Lily said with calm and immense dignity. “I would rather spend one lifetime with him, then live through all the coming ages of this world alone.”
With those words, Edith broke at last. She stumbled to her feet, weeping, and crouching at Lily's side, embraced her, her gray head touching Lily's raven locks.
The sound of breaking glass shattered the tableau. Four heads whipped around to stare at Maggie. Pale as a wax doll, she sat motionless in her chair. One hand was resting on the swell of her belly.
“I'm sorry,” she said in a thin, frightened voice. “But…”
“The child is coming,” Lily said calmly. “We must aid her.”
Edith snapped to her feet. In seconds, she was at Maggie's side, helping her rise
