Bloodchild by Andrew Neiderman Read Free Book Online

that it?" Jillian asked. Harlan knew his mother-in-law was a bright and perceptive woman. There was no point in trying to fool her about things she would eventually realize, anyway, but for some reason—one he did not understand—he was sorry Jillian was so perceptive.
    "Well, I don't think she resents you; she wants to do it all herself because, as the doctor said, she's afraid of anything happening to Nikos. Hopefully the paranoia will pass."
    Jillian nodded. She put down her coffee cup and sat back in the chair.
    "Harlan, where in hell did either of you come up with the name Nikos?"
    He looked at her and then laughed.
    "It wasn't my idea. Your daughter dreamed it, and considering what she had gone through, I didn't put up any resistance."
    "Nikos? Nikos Hamilton?" She laughed. "Oh, well, I suppose before long we'll be calling him Nicky."
    "Don't count on it," Harlan said. His tone of voice worried her, and she retreated into her own thoughts before continuing with their conversation. After a while they spoke about other things, Harlan grateful for the opportunity to talk more about his classes and the changes at the college. He told her that the contract negotiations between the faculty and the trustees were on the verge of breaking down. She listened, but he was aware that he rarely had more than half of her attention. He understood why.
    They were both surprised at how long it was before Dana woke up. The sun was just about below the horizon and they had had to put on lights. Twice Jillian had gone up to check on Dana, and twice she returned to say that Dana was still in so deep a sleep, she hated to wake her.
    The baby woke practically at the same time as its mother. Dana came to the top of the stairway and called down to them.
    "Is that you, Mother?"
    "Well, well, Sleeping Beauty has arisen," Jillian said, and went to her. They had just embraced when Nikos wailed and Dana broke out of her embrace to go to him.
    Jillian followed her to the baby's room and watched as Dana lifted him lovingly out of his crib. As soon as she held him firmly in her arms, his cheek against her breast, the baby stopped crying. Dana kissed his forehead, and Nikos looked at Jillian. She thought he wore a very self-satisfied expression, and it made her laugh.
    "Spoiled already?"
    "He's not spoiled, Mother," Dana said. "He just… just loves me already."
    "Really?" Jillian tilted her head the way Dana often did when she was puzzled or even annoyed by something.
    "Yes. I can feel it through my whole body when I hold him to me. He radiates it." She lifted the baby and kissed his cheek. Jillian thought it seemed Nikos had smiled. "Time for his feeding," Dana said, and carried him to her bedroom.
    Jillian followed and watched as Dana placed herself comfortably in the bed and then slipped the nightgown off her shoulders to expose her breasts. She held the baby up in front of her bosom for a moment, as if giving him his choice. Jillian was surprised to see with what force and control the baby turned its head and brought its lips to her left nipple, ballooning her breast. Dana cupped him in her arms and looked down at him lovingly as he fed. When she looked up at Jillian, she wore an expression of great contentment, her face flushed with excitement. Her eyes were dazzling, the green in them becoming emerald.
    Jillian moved toward the bed. The baby's energy and momentum in suckling took her breath away. It looked as though it could consume Dana in one feeding, yet Dana appeared undisturbed by the baby's vehemence. Obviously, if anything, she enjoyed it.
    "My God, he's starving," Jillian commented. "Do all babies nurse that vigorously?"
    "Of course," Dana replied. "If the mother's milk is good and the baby is healthy."
    "He's certainly healthy," Jillian said. She couldn't help shaking her head. Dana smirked.
    "Maybe you ought to wait outside, Mother, if this bothers you."
    "What?" Jillian felt the heat come into her neck. "I didn't mean it bothers me. If