Carpathian 03 - Dark Gold

motivation for years, and he will continue to be so. It will be as important for her to see him as for the child to see her. I suspect that if Joshua can accept me into his life, that will be half the battle."
    
    "Aidan!" Joshua ran into the room and flung his arms around Aidan's legs. "I've been looking everywhere for you. Marie told me where your bedroom is.on the third floor, but you weren't there."
    
    "I told you to stay out of Mr. Savage's rooms," Marie said with her best scolding tone, but there was no way to conceal the warmth in her expression.
    
    Joshua looked a bit ashamed but answered her with spirit. "I'm sorry, Marie, but I have to find Alexandria. You know where she is, don't you, Aidan?" he asked.
    
    The Carpathian male rested his hands gently on the boy's silky curls. His heart twisted, a funny, melting sensation. There was so much trust and faith in those blue eyes looking up at him. "Yes, Josh. She is still asleep. I want you to give her another hour or so to rest, and then I'll bring her to you. How is that?"
    
    "Is she all better? I've been afraid she wouldn't come back—you know, like Henry and my mom and dad." The young voice trembled with fear.
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    "Alexandria is not going to leave you, Josh," Aidan assured him quietly. "She will always be here, and we will look after her together so that nothing will ever take her from either of us. You know I will always protect her, and I am not easily defeated. No one will take her from the two of us.
    Is that a deal?"
    
    Joshua grinned up at him trustingly. "We're best friends, aren't we, Aidan? You, me, and Alexandria."
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    "We are more than best friends, Joshua," Aidan replied soberly. "All of us who live in this house are a family."
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    "Marie says you want me to go to a new school."
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    Aidan nodded. "I think it would be best. The one you were attending is far from here, and the school we have in mind for you is very good. You will have friends and good teachers there."

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    
    "What does Alexandria say? She usually takes me to school. She thinks it's dangerous for me to go by myself."
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    "Not this school. In any case, Stefan and Marie will go with you if you like. They will escort you there every day until you feel comfortable with the arrangement."
    
    "I want you to go with me if Alex can't take me." Joshua managed a decent pout.
    
    Aidan laughed softly. "You little devil. I can see you are used to getting your way. Alexandria is a soft touch where you are concerned, is she not?"
    
    Joshua shrugged, then laughed, too. "Yeah, she lets me have just about anything I want, and she never gets mad when I don't do what I'm supposed to do. Sometimes she tries to yell at me, but she always ends up hugging me instead."
    
    "I think you need the firm hand of a man in your life, young Joshua," Aidan said, reaching down to lift the boy up to his broad shoulders. "A great big strong man who will not take all your nonsense."
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    Joshua's arms circled Aidan's neck. "You don't ever yell either."
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    "No, but I mean what I say when I say it, right?"
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    "Yeah," Josh admitted. "But I still think you should take me to school when I have to go."
    
    "I have to stay here to make certain your sister does everything she is supposed to do to get well. Her illness was very dangerous, and we have to be very careful for a few days. She can be quite stubborn, as you know." Aidan said the last with a conspiratorial wink.
    
    Joshua nodded with a small smile. "I know if you're with her, nothing bad can happen to her. I'll go to school with Marie and Stefan. Of course, if you took me, all the other kids would think I have a big daddy, and they wouldn't try to pick on me." He shrugged. "But Stefan's big. Maybe he'll work."
    
    "I am certain Stefan will scare off any bullies. But this is a nice school, Joshua, with nice children.
    No one carries weapons, and no one is going to try to hurt you there. If something like that were to happen, you would come to me right away and tell me." The golden eyes stared directly into the blue ones.
    
    Joshua nodded. "I would tell you, Aidan." He blinked and squirmed until Aidan put him down.
    "Marie said dinner was ready. She's a good cook, better than Alex, but don't tell Alex, 'cuz it'll hurt her feelings. Are you going to eat with us tonight?"
    
    Aidan found himself grinning for no reason at all. He suddenly