CHAPTER 513: THE LIGHT WE WAITED FOR (12)

Thornston Estate...

"When is Mummy coming back?"

Gabriel’s lower lip trembled as he hugged his stuffed cat to his chest. Gabriel had liked stuffed animals a lot, but after he started missing his Mama Shelby so much, he resorted to picking one of the stuffed animals in his room, and it had become his permanent friend.

He was never seen without it. Gabriel derived some comfort from holding the fluffy soft animals... the kind that his Mama had readily given. The only missing thing was her warmth, though.

His voice came out in a soft, wobbly whisper that twisted everyone’s heart at once.

"When is Mum coming back? I know she said that she would tell me if she -"

Gabriel sighed, his head drooping.

The room went still. Geneva’s eyes flicked up, blinking back tears she wouldn’t shed for anyone. Her daughter-in-law was different, though. Shelby was not on that ’anyone’s’ list. For her, Geneva knew that he would gladly do anything! Alex swallowed hard, his throat suddenly tight.

Samanatha would have usually dismissed Gabriel as a crybaby and even snort, but this time, she echoed those very words... it was just that she was more mature and could hold back her words. Ingrid just looked away. She was staring out the rain-speckled window, as if her Mummy might come walking up any minute. It had just stopped raining that day, and they were all huddled in the north wing.

The living room in there was bathed in a warm amber glow, the kind that came from the sun setting after a brief rain. Light drizzle still tapped gently at the windowpanes like an old friend asking to be let in.

On the couch, Alex and Geneva, both wrapped in silk light duvets, sipped their tea and listened to the children chat. Around them were their three grandchildren: Samantha, Ingrid and Gabriel. The old couple lived for such moments with the children, for it had been long ... too long since they stepped foot out of their quarters.

It wasn’t like the North wing was not self-contained ..., in reality, the wing was like a mansion of its own, filled with grand velvet-draped corridors, whispering oil paintings that seemed to follow your steps, and furniture so antique it felt more like it had grown from the walls than been brought in.

It was also filled with golden sconces casting a soft, welcoming glow on polished wooden floors, plush armchairs nestled beneath tall arched windows, and the quiet scent of old books and lavender drifting through the air.

Every turn revealed another richly furnished room—reading nooks, sun-drenched lounges, music chambers, and guest suites ... each more inviting than the last, as if the house itself had been built to cradle generations in comfort.

There was no answer to Gabriel’s question, but Geneva still found it in her to say, "...soon."

This answer was more for Geneva herself than the child.

Ingrid sat cross-legged on the floor, picking up a headset and slipping it over her ears. She closed her eyes to listen to whatever was playing from her phone, while she hummed quietly along. That seemed to be her way of coping, too.

Though Currey had issued warnings because of Aliya, the family sometimes got together like they had done and just enjoyed each other’s company. Their receiving area had more or less been left for Aliya.

Though Geneva did not like it, she knew that she was only human and no match for the creature that Aliya was.

Sometimes, both Alex and Geneva found themselves thanking the stars that Ingrid, in particular, had not taken after her mother. That would have been disastrous!

Gabriel lay on his belly, fiddling with a half-disassembled toy while occasionally pulling his stuffed cat close. He was listless and getting to the end of what he thought he could bear.

Samantha was curled in an armchair, her fingers flicking across a tablet screen, not really reading—just scrolling. Waiting. They were all waiting for one thing! But it’s all been quiet for weeks!

Though thankfully, Currey had been able to slip info to them about Ian’s disappearance. Therefore, when Aliya was running rampant looking for her missing husband, they were locked up in their room, unconcerned, but only waiting for Ian to return, hopefully with Shelby.

Though Currey never had the chance to tell them anything about her, they were all eagerly anticipating. It’s just that they had thought it would only take a day or two, not weeks!

"Your father used to sneak out into the rain just like this, when he was your age... he loved the rain!", Alex said suddenly, his voice as soft. "Said it was the only thing that made him feel real and at home."

Even Geneva looked up, as if she remembered those times back. She had always known that he child was different from birth, and this, among other things, had sometimes made her question if she had birthed him. Obviously, armed with their current knowledge, everything from Ian’s childhood made sense, but back then, if Ian had not taken any of his mother’s features, it might have become problematic for the mother and son....

Gabriel looked up, surprised, "No way!"

Geneva chuckled softly. "Yes, that was true.... In fact, I can tell you more about this, if you’d like?"

Gabriel’s mood dipped just about then, because his thoughts went back to his Mama. He started wondering if he had done something wrong, and he was not a gentleman enough.

’Is that why Mama is not coming back yet?’

Geneva and Alex shared a look. "Do you think she’ll come back soon?"

Alex reached over and tousled Ingrid’s soft curls. This time, she did not flinch away like she would have usually done, but she still looked uncomfortable. "I do, little Ingrid. Your mom’s tough, and she loves you all enough. She will never leave you for this long if she could help it. In fact, she is tougher than me and Grandma put together."

Ingrid nodded, and Samantha smiled.

"She wouldn’t just leave," Samantha shot in, still staring at her screen, though her eyes were glassier now. "There’s got to be a reason. All that media info is just nonsense! Mum will never do anything like that. I know she will be here soon!"

They all nodded solemnly as the sole assigned maid went around quickly, swapping cold teas for hot ones and then leaving as quietly as she had come in.

The room became quiet with only the fire crackling gently, wrapping the drawing room in a soft amber glow.

The silence stretched too long, long enough for thoughts to start creeping in again—the ones no one wanted to say out loud. Geneva and Alex knew it. She blew on her tea and sipped it slowly, eyes flicking from one child to the next.

Then, with that deliberate cheerfulness that adults used when they were trying not to sound worried, she asked,

"So, what do you all think of Miss Fanny?"

Miss Fanny was the new governess who had been hired for the kids. As Currey did not want any accidents, and Suzie had her hands full trying to keep Aliya at bay, they decided to hire a live-in governess to care for and educate the children, so they would not have to leave the premises for school.

The question seemed to do the trick, for Gabriel was the first to react; he groaned. "She makes me read poetry in the morning."

Ingrid perked up slightly. "I like her." She said softly, adding as an afterthought. "... I think...."

Samantha didn’t answer right away. Her eyes stayed on the fire, and her tablet, her fingers dancing across the screen to keep it active. Miss Fanny hadn’t tried to befriend her, hadn’t forced smiles or chirped compliments. She treated Samantha as an equal, and for that, Samantha was grateful and respectful.

"She’s... alright," she said softly.

Alex raised an eyebrow. "Alright?" he teased.

Yes, they had reached a point where the old couple could talk and tease with Samantha, too.

She shrugged. Her voice was steady but low.

"She’s just okay... Nothing too much."

Miss would have been amazed at these thoughts, for these three children were a handful to anyone who was not their mother, but for some reason, they had decided to be polite and courteous with her.

Geneva and Alex nodded, knowing that for the children to say this, Fanny was doing a great job.

"Is she out this week?"

"Yes, she is visiting family.... " Samantha supplied, while still looking at her tablet. Fanny was indeed a likeable person, but they were all looking for one person only.

Samantha suddenly straightened, her fingers frozen mid-scroll. "Wait..."

"What is it, Sam?" Gabriel asked, already half-sitting up.

Samantha did not answer at first. Her brows furrowed, and then her eyes widened. "Oh my God. Look at this."

She stood and crossed the room in a few hurried steps, shoving the tablet into Alex’s hands. "It’s a local blog ... someone .... I mean, the whole island is talking about Mum and Dad! They’re back!"

Geneva’s hand trembled, and Alex sat up, adjusting his glasses. His breath caught. "Oh, my word..."

Gabriel was up before anyone could say anything. "Is it Mama?"

Samantha nodded, barely able to contain her excitement. Just then, Geneva raised her hand.... "We have to wait, though, for we don’t know what that demon out there would-"

Just then, Gabriel dashed out, "I’m going to meet Mama!" and their heart lurched.

*********

Thank you so much to all for your votes and comments! I hope we can keep it up ^_^

Support the author by reading only on Webnovel :) ~Uploaded only on webnovel by Loctovia ~