CHAPTER 519: DEALING WITH HER

Ian continued watching from the side, not interrupting. His eyes followed her with a quiet, unwavering love—tender, yet sharply vigilant. "Let’s get you a seat," he murmured, his hand resting protectively at the small of her back. She gave a soft nod, allowing him to guide her to a plush, sun-warmed cushion nestled near a hearth.

The rest of the gathered family followed suit. Though the family hadn’t laid eyes on her in what felt like forever, which was true in this instance, they held back the rush of their emotions. Even Gabriel, the youngest, usually prone to flying into her arms, and finding his comfortable position on her lap, sat still, wide-eyed and trembling with barely contained delight.

They also settled themselves not far from her, while Aliya had been dumped in a heap on the ground in front of them.

But none of their eyes left her. They drank in her presence with silent reverence, as if she might disappear if they blinked, like how she had disappeared previously. She was supposed to have been going for a tea with the ladies, but had gone for four plus months.

But, as they waited for Suzie, the children just couldn’t wait. After all, they were children who hungered for their parents’ love.

"Mama?" Gabriel finally dared, his voice a whisper, brittle with hope. He kept his eye off his dad, though, as if knowing that his father would frown upon his actions. Shelby’s eyes found him and softened instantly. She opened her arms just a little, a gesture not quite bold but enough—and that was all he needed. He bolted forward, burying his face into her lap, trembling with suppressed sobs.

"I thought – I"

"I would never leave you, my little angel... Did you doubt me?"

Gabriel shook his head vigourously and Shelby leaned down and kissed his hair. Before Ian could object, Gabriel still climbed up and settled on Shelby’s lap.

She stroked his hair, whispering something only he could hear. His tiny shoulders stilled and he relaxed into her embrace.

’They just miss me. Don’t worry, we’re fine.’ Shelby used their mindlink to convey the words to Ian.

The older girls stood frozen, caught between the instinct to rush in and the silent fear of overwhelming her. Samantha cleared her throat.

"You... you’re really here."

It wasn’t a question, just a stunned truth spoken aloud.

She smiled gently. "I am."

Samantha stepped forward, calm and composed, though her eyes betrayed the whirlwind of emotions within. She gently leaned in, giving Shelby a careful side hug, mindful of the rounded swell of her tummy. She never commented about it.

"I’m glad you’re back safe," she murmured, her voice low but firm.

Shelby closed her eyes briefly, savouring the closeness. "Me too, dear. Me too."

With a quick nudge of her elbow, Samantha gestured to Gabriel, who was clinging to Shelby. "Let her breathe," she whispered playfully. He pouted but slipped off Shelby’s lap obediently, earning a grateful glance from his sister. Ian stretched his hand out for Gabriel, who reluctantly took it. However, Gabriel knew when to back out.

Then, unexpectedly, Samantha turned to their father. This was a man who scared the living daylights out of her, but she still respected him. She’d always treated him with polite detachment at best. But now she faced him squarely, eyes sharp, but no longer cold.

"Welcome back," she said evenly, tilting her head slightly. "Are you okay?" There was a short pause. "You shaved?"

Ian blinked, clearly startled, then rubbed his chin thoughtfully, nodding. He didn’t give anything away.

"You look like a whole other person," she said, not unkindly—just honest.

"More handsome...." Came Ingrid from the back, as she made her way to her mother, too.

A chuckle bubbled from him, light and warm. "I’ll take that as progress."

Gabriel piped up with a loud whisper, "I like it too because Daddy will not have a scratchy face anymore."

The entire room chuckled, easing into the moment like one might settle into an old, familiar chair. A gentle peace began to fill the room... the kind that comes after a long storm, and family gathered together. It was almost as if Aliya was forgotten.

Quiet as a breeze, Ingrid moved slowly, almost as if she was gliding on the floor. Her gaze flicked up, once, to her mother’s face, then quickly darted away again. She fiddled with her fingers, as if she were unsure whether she was allowed to come closer.

Shelby’s eyes softened. "Come here, sweetheart."

That was all it took. She moved quickly now, practically melting into Shelby’s side. Gosh! Ingrid missed her so! No words passed between them at first, just that deep, still comfort that only two hearts completely in tune could share.

Then Shelby bent her head and whispered just loud enough for the others to hear:

"You were so brave today."

Ingrid stiffened slightly. "Really? You’re not mad?"

"Why would I be mad at you, when you protected me! My little protector is the best!" Shelby brushed Ingrid’s hair back from her face. "You did it from your heart. That takes strength, my love. And you stood firm. That’s a power no one can teach. I am proud of you, and so is everyone here!"

Ingrid peeked up at Ian and then buried her face in Shelby’s arms. It was a good thing that she did not see Geneva and Alex’s expressions, but that did not escape Ian.

Ingrid’s lip trembled, but she smiled—small, shy, but radiant.

"That was cool, Ingrid, but please do not ever use it on me!" More chuckling went around.

Shelby cupped Ingrid’s cheek gently. "You didn’t scare anyone. You reminded us of who we are. You reminded her who we won’t be."

The words actually hit Geneva and Alex so much that they started to feel guilty about their thoughts on the little girl.

’Why did we think that Ingrid would change?’ they wondered.

Ian nodded at their change of thoughts and let the follow-up notion he had go.

Ingrid’s eyes welled up. She leaned into Shelby’s touch, letting out a shaky breath.

"I just... didn’t want you to get hurt again."

There was a beat of silence before Shelby’s mother pulled her fully into her arms, holding her close despite the careful belly in between.

"And that," her mother whispered into her hair, "is the strongest kind of magic there is."

Ian watched quietly, a look of amazement on his face. Even the other two children remained hushed, as if sensing the sacredness of the moment.

Outside, the wind rustled gently through the estate’s high windows. But inside, for just a moment, everything was still.

For once, Ingrid had become like Gabriel – clingy! She stayed curled against Shelby’s side, calm now. But then her small hand wandered down, resting lightly on the gentle swell of her mother’s stomach.

At that moment, Alex and Geneva exchanged a glance and quietly stepped forward too. All of the wanted a piece of Shelby’s attention.

Geneva’s eyes glistened as she reached out, brushing a stray lock of hair from Shelby’s face. "Your hair has grown longer again," she whispered, her voice thick with restrained emotion. "... and you look even more beautiful."

Alex stood beside her, his hand resting gently on her shoulder. "We were scared we might never see this day," he admitted, his tone uncharacteristically soft. Then, with a sheepish smile, he added, "Thank you for coming back, Shelby."

Shelby chuckled, tired but touched. "I missed you both, Mum and Dad."

"And we missed you," Geneva replied, leaning in to press a kiss to her forehead before stepping back with grace. "Now go on," she nudged the children playfully. "She’s all yours." There was a time for everything, and Geneva knew that they would have all the time in the world with Shelby.

Ingrid blinked once, then looked up with wide eyes.

"Is that a baby you have in here?"

The question was whispered, as if she were afraid saying it too loud might make it untrue.

Geneva’s eyes lit up. She knew that was not the time, but she couldn’t be prouder of her daughter-in-law in that moment. Shelby laughed softly—a sound like wind chimes in spring. "Yes, sweetheart. That’s your baby sister or brother."

Ingrid’s mouth fell open slightly. She leaned forward and pressed her ear carefully against the bump, as if she might hear a story being whispered just for her. Then, with solemn wonder, she whispered back, "Hi, baby brother. It’s me."

Even Samantha was fascinated. They smiled brightly, while Ian chuckled, beaming with smiles....and even Geneva and Alex exchanged misty glances, their joy tinged with awe.

"She’s already protective," Shelby said, brushing her fingers through Ingrid’s hair.

"I’ll keep him safe," Ingrid vowed suddenly, her voice barely above a breath—but her eyes shone with that quiet determination again. And somehow, everyone believed her.

"There’s really a baby?! But I want a baby sister!" Gabriel frowned, earning another round of adult chuckles.

"We don’t know yet, but whatever the case, you will get a baby sibling soon!"

"Yay!"

Just then, Suzie returned with Currey in tow. They placed three lifelike paintings in front of them. Ian only smiled while the rest looked on, puzzled.

Suzie unveiled them, and Shelby frowned at the first two but smiled at the last.

It was as if the couple had decided not to hide anything, whether Fae-related or not, from their family.

"Unbind her!"

Shelby said quietly, and though the older couple gasped in surprise, Currey obeyed.

"Let’s get this over and done with...."

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