Chapter 23

Jesse was asleep with Ulric sitting in a chair next to the bed when Thomas and the others walked in.

"How did it go?" Pam asked, taking down the enchantments.

"We had unexpected help," Thomas said.

"Who is this?" Ulric asked, glancing at the woman.

"Hello, I'm Cynthia," she said. "I'm Evan's grandmother," she answered.

"If you actually are related to him, how did you end up here?" Mac asked.

"Plus, you used magic," Thomas said.

Everyone stared at Cynthia, who sat down in an empty chair. Zeo floated through the door and hovered beside her.

"Master, are you alright?" he asked.

"Yes, Zeo, I am," she said.

"You're Zeo's master?" Ulric asked.

"I am," Cynthia said, nodding her head.

"But you're human, aren't you?" Mac asked.

"I am, but I'm also a witch," she said.

Ulric turned his head when a groan was heard from the bed. "Why is it so noisy in here?" Jesse grumbled. Jesse rubbed his eyes, and when he saw a certain guest, his jaw dropped.

"Nanna, how are you here?" he asked.

"So this is your grandmother?" Ulric asked, stunned.

"Yes, but I haven't seen her in years," Jesse said.

"It's a long story about my disappearance, Evan, or should I say Jesse?" she explained.

Cynthia waited until she felt everyone's attention was on her. "First, do you want to be called Evan or Jesse?" She asked, facing her grandson, who stared in shock.

"Jesse, if that's alright with you," he said. "Grandma, what am I?" he asked.

"Someone special," she said. "You're a human with magical lineage," she said.

"I've had magic inside of me and didn't know it." Jesse said. "Why was it hidden from me?" he asked.

Cynthia's green eyes turned sad. "Humans aren't all that friendly towards people who are different," Cynthia said.

"Does that include my father?" Jesse asked.

"He was the worst of them," Cynthia said. "He hunted people like us," she said.

"What happened to my powers?" Jesse asked.

"Your mother and I agreed when you were younger to bind them," she said.

Jesse didn't get a chance to feel a mother's love, so hearing this made him sad. Noticing Jesse's mood change, Ulric pulled him into a comforting hug. "Have you ever seen Mom?" he asked.

"I do check up on her from time to time," she said.

"I miss her," Jesse said, wiping a tear that had formed in his eyes.

"Don't hate her for leaving," Cynthia said. "She wanted to take you, but your father didn't allow it," she said.

"Grandma, where is mom?" Jesse asked.

"She's here, in this world," she said.

Jesse's eyes widened in shock. "Can I see her?" he asked. Cynthia stepped up and held his hand. "Let's wait until you're better and back home," she said. Jesse opened his mouth to object but closed it when he heard, "Babe, she's right," "You need to recuperate," through their link.

"Okay," Jesse said, sighing heavily.

"I need to go," Cynthia said. "If you need anything, have Zeo contact me," she said.

"Goodbye, grandma," Jesse said. They hugged, and Cynthia left the hospital room.

As the week progressed, Jesse rested and recuperated. That Thursday, Devin showed up with a get-well present.

"Hi there, Devin," Jesse and Ulric said.

"Hi!" the redhead said, cheerfully. "I'm so glad that you're alright," he said. "When I heard about what happened, I was so scared," Devin admitted.

"Don't worry," Ulric said. "Chad got punished," he said.

"Phew, thank goodness," Devin said.

Devin stepped up to the bed. "I got you a present," he said, setting a bag down in front of Jesse. Jesse reached his hand out and opened it. Inside were materials needed for brewing potions.

"Thank you, Devin," Jesse said, smiling. "How did you get all of this?" he asked.

"Teacher Nina helped," Devin said.

"You're a good friend," Jesse said. Devin's smile grew wider. "I need some sleep," Jesse said. "I'll be home tomorrow," he said. Devin said his goodbyes and went back to his dorm room.

Friday morning, Jesse sat on the hospital bed, dressed in his regular clothes. Ulric sat down beside him and took hold of his hand.

"The doctor will be here soon," Ulric said, reassuring his lover.

"I wish that we didn't have to wait so long," Jesse whined.

"Be patient, babe," Ulric said. "We'll head home soon," he said, kissing Jesse tenderly on the lips.

Dr. Ramos entered Jesse's hospital room ten minutes later. "I know that you're ready to go home," she said, handing Jesse his discharge papers.

"I'm more than ready," Jesse said. "Nothing against you, but I hate hospitals," he said.

"Nobody likes it here," the doctor said. "But, there are some things," she said.

"Like what?" Jesse asked.

"Come with me, and I'll show you," Dr. Ramos said.

Jesse glanced at Ulric, who winked at him. They followed the doctor, hand in hand, down the hallway. They stopped in front of a huge glass window. Jesse peered through the window and noticed several rows of cribs with newborn infants in them.

"It's not sickness and sorrow that we encounter," she said. "There is the joy of delivering the next generation into the world," the doctor explained.

"It would be nice to have a family of my own," Jesse said.

"With your genes, it's possible," the doctor said.

"My genes?" Jesse said, glancing at her, confused.

"You might be human, but you carry omega genes," Dr. Ramos explained. Jesse stood there, stunned.

On the way home, Jesse's mind was reeling over the fact that he could get pregnant. In his world, men couldn't because they weren't physically equipped. Ulric could tell that Jesse's mind was racing.

"Don't worry so much, babe," he said. "Mac and Neil can help explain everything," Ulric said.

"They can?" Jesse asked.

"We can talk to them on Monday," Ulric said. "I want you to relax for a few days," he said.

"As long as I can relax in your arms, I'm okay with that," Jesse said.

***surprise surprise***

As soon as Jesse and Ulric entered their room, Mac and the others came out from the shadows and surprised them. All sizes of gifts were in their arms. Jesse glanced at Ulric and asked, "You knew about this, didn't you?"

"I plead the fifth," Ulric said.

"We're having a talk," Jesse said, giving Ulric a peck on the lips.

"Welcome home," Cynthia said, entering with a cake.

The welcome home party resumed with presents being handed out and opened by both Jesse and Ulric.

"Okay, let's eat the cake," Jesse said.

"You sure like sweet things," Ulric said. Jesse grinned and grabbed a plate that had a piece already cut. Everyone found spots to sit down and had a slice of cake. When the party ended and everyone had pretty much left, Ulric noticed Jesse dozing off.

"I better lay him down," Ulric said.

"You take care of my grandson; I'll help clean up," Cynthia said.

Ulric laid down beside Jesse and pulled up the covers while Cynthia, Mac, and Neil cleaned up the homecoming mess. They took the dirty dishes down to the cafeteria.

"I'm glad that my grandson found his fated mate," she said, washing up the dishes.

"Are you saying that their meeting was destined?" Mac asked.

"I'm positive," Cynthia said. "I've learned to never question what the gods have in store for you," she said.