Roxy's fake smile held steady.
It was the absolute hardest thing she had ever had to do in her entire life. Her cheeks hurt, and her bottom lip trembled, but she kept her teeth showing and her green eyes bright. She wanted that smile to be the very last picture her babies kept in their hearts. She wanted them to remember her looking happy and strong, not broken and sad.
The loud, happy chaos in the old Iron-Wood Manor slowly settled down. The kids could feel that the time was almost up. The room got quiet.
Drax stepped away from Iris and the baby. He walked right to the center of the camera. As he moved, Roxy realized he didn't look like a boy anymore. The scary, tough King mask was gone, but underneath it was a good, strong, mature man. He looked at his mother with pure love and total respect.
"You have raised us all well, Mama," Drax said softly. His deep voice didn't shake. He spoke with the calm strength of an older brother who was ready to take care of his family.
