CHAPTER 528: AUNTS LIKE ANTS (2)

Ian felt that it had taken a lifetime with all those ’unnecessary’ issues before he was able to carry his Elfin out. He finally laid his tired, pregnant wife gently on their bed, careful not to stir her any more than necessary. Though it had been months, like Shelby, it did not seem like that to him. It was almost as if he had only left the estate for days and returned, but the very faint smell of her remnants’ scent told him otherwise.

Shelby’s breathing had already begun to slow, her body succumbing to the exhaustion of everything she had endured—and everything she carried.

Ian truly understood how much the family yearned to see her. She had been gone for months—missing, unreachable, almost a ghost in their hearts—and her safe return had burst like sunlight into their lives. Their joy, their relief, their desire to be near her again... he understood it all. But she needed rest, and he knew that had she not fallen asleep right there in the hall, it might have taken a lot to pry her out of their hands.

He lay beside her, one arm tucked under his head, the other resting protectively near her growing belly. Ian cleared his mind of all and even blocked Currey and anyone with such ability out, so that they could not reach him.

For two long hours, he remained like that, unmoving, watching her sleep, studying the beautiful lines of her face, the gentle rise and fall of her chest, the soft flutter of lashes as dreams took her.

Outside their door, tiny feet tiptoed by - one set, then another, and another—small spies pretending to pass casually down the corridor every ten minutes or so. He smiled to himself, not annoyed but touched. They missed her, too.

’I am not going to get any alone time with my Elfin...’ he sighed.

A strand of hair had fallen across Shelby’s face, and Ian reached over, brushed it away gently—and that was when she stirred.

Her lashes fluttered, and slowly, those familiar blue eyes opened, hazy at first, then locking on his. There was no need for words. In that single look was every answer: I’m here. I’m safe. I’m home.

"Hey, sleepyhead, are you-"

Shelby nodded because he could complete the sentence. She felt truly refreshed. Just as she opened her mouth to say something, she also heard the deliberate footsteps around the door.

She turned and smiled helplessly. At that time, Shelby knew that whatever she wanted to talk to Ian about had to wait, and both of them were right in their guess, because Shelby only muttered one word, and a knock sounded on the door.

The sound of her voice—soft, just a murmur at first—was all it took.

It was as though they had been pressed against the door with ears poised; the children burst in one after the other, a tangle of excitement, relief, and barely contained emotion. This time, they had not even waited to be invited in.

Samantha tried to maintain composure but failed, her steps quickening as she crossed the room. Surprisingly, Ingrid made it to the bed first, launching onto it without hesitation, and Gabriel... burst into tears the moment he saw her awake.

"What is wrong, my dear angel? Why are you crying when Mum is here?" Shelby asked as Gabriel also climbed onto the bed, over Ian and sandwiched himself between the couple. He curled into Shelby’s side, clinging to the soft folds of her robe like it was the only tether to peace in his world. His little fingers tightened around her as though she might vanish again if he let go, and it was touching to see that.

Ingrid had taken the other side of Shelby and hung onto her so tightly, making sure that she did not touch the swell of her tummy.

Shelby adjusted herself so that she was in a half-seated position.

"I thought you left again...." he whispered, voice cracking.

She felt his little shoulders tremble. Shelby held him tighter, brushing a kiss to the crown of his head just as he added, barely audible, "I’m sorry, Mama. I know I promised, but I was scared that you would disappear again."

Tears welled in her eyes—hot, unbidden, and blurring her vision. She hadn’t known he’d carried such fear. She hadn’t realized how deeply the absence had clawed at their hearts. It was mere days to her, but it was an eternity in their minds.

"You never have to apologize for loving me," she murmured. "And I’m here now. I’m not going anywhere." He nodded slowly but clung tighter. It did not matter that Shelby had already given assurance a few hours prior. Gabriel’s insecurities had blown up in their faces.

Across the room, Alex and Geneva had also made an appearance. It turned out that it wasn’t only the children who had decided to make an appearance. The two quietly wiped their own eyes at the scene.

Ian sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose with a smile tugging at his lips. He had hoped for just a few more moments alone with her, but he couldn’t begrudge them this. Not when he understood exactly how they felt. He couldn’t even glare at Samantha, who was at the foot of the bed, looking on at them and hesitating whether to get on the bed like the rest of them.

"Alright," he said, standing and gently motioning them closer. "But be gentle. Your mum’s still very tired." He ruffled Gabriel’s hair and leaned over to peck Shelby, then patted Ingrid’s shoulders. Ian stepped off the bed, his gaze landing on his parents. He beckoned them inside, knowing that they had to talk.

"Take care of your mother and make sure that she does not get that tired."

Samanatha nodded vigorously and also climbed up on the bed as soon as Ian exited.

The bed dipped with their weight as the children clambered around her, wrapping arms around her shoulders, her belly, her hands—just needing to feel that she was real. She laughed, quietly but full, overwhelmed and happy.

Ian stepped away, walking toward the small sitting area across the room where his parents had gone and were waiting with reverent patience. They had held back, sensing the need for quiet.

But now that she was awake, their eyes shone with emotion. The two decided to talk to Ian first, so that the children got some time with Shelby. Besides, the room was starting to feel somewhat crowded. It was not like it was running out of space. That was far from it, but it was the first time that Ian’s room had held that many people at a time.

"She’s alright," Ian said as he took his seat. "We got there just in time, but it wasn’t without cost."

"What do you mean by that? What is wrong with my daughter?"

"What happened to you? How did you disappear from the hospital? How did you find her?"

The questions came one after the other, and Ian sighed, not even sure where to start, but understanding their concerns and curiosity.

Before Ian could continue, there was a firm knock at the outer door. Everyone paused.

Another knock—louder this time.

Alex stood, brows furrowed. "Who in the world...?"

However, Ian just smiled.

The door creaked open, and Brad stepped inside, his jacket already halfway off. His usual calm and calculated demeanour had melted away the moment he got word.

"Sister-in-law! You really came back and ... whoa!" His eyes widened at the obvious pregnancy.

Brad froze mid-step, eyes wide as saucers as they landed on her rounded belly.

"You’re pregnant?!" His voice shot up, half in shock, half in delight. Shelby blinked, amused by his stunned expression. "Yes, I am. That’s usually what this means." She gestured lightly to her stomach.

Brad gaped, mouth opening and closing like a fish. Then he turned to his brother, pointing dramatically. "You—! You did it! Wasn’t sister-in-law in an accident? You-"

Ian smirked, raising a brow. "Well, what do you think we have been doing since we got married?"

"Ewwww! Don’t say things like that!" he yelped, half-laughing, half-mortified. "I’m too young for mental trauma! Besides, the kids are here!"

But then, without thinking, he rushed forward and threw his arms around Ian.

It wasn’t polished or rehearsed, nothing like the man he had been all week. This was raw, unfiltered joy. Brad was happy to see them both back. At that time, a weight seemed to have been lifted from him.

"You idiot," he muttered, voice thick. "You’re really back."

For once, Ian chuckled, clapping his back, and for a moment, it was just like when they were boys again. He knew that Brad meant no malice and was just overwhelmed. Brad looked over at Shelby and said emotionally,

"Welcome back, sister-in-law! We can’t do without you.... the whole place was like a desert without you!"

Shelby smiled, and that was all Brad needed to know that this was reality. Shelby’s inherent charm surged up, and he looked away from her. It was his sister-in-law, alright.

He pulled back from Ian, looking at him through damp lashes.

"I thought I’d have to face all this without you," Brad whispered. Ian, knowing exactly what he meant, grinned, tousling his hair, like he usually did with Gabriel, but Brad did not shy away. "You did just fine, kid."

Brad gave a sheepish smile, suddenly embarrassed by his reaction, but Ian just winked and said, "I missed you too, you emotional mess."

They both laughed—full and real.

In that moment, the issues and the world could wait. For now, they were just brothers.

Geneva’s soft smile oozed. They were not bothered by the interruption at all.

"Ok, let’s -"

"Knock, knock!"

Everyone in the room sighed, and they turned towards the doorway. Seeing an unfamiliar person standing in the open doorway, Ian frowned, but Brad snapped at the man, as his CEO mode was activated again.

"What is it? This better be important!"

"Sorry to bother you, Sir, but they went to the media as we predicted."

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