RONAN
Once the decision was made, it took us three days to pack up and drive back to Nelion. Iris sat beside me, quiet and withdrawn, her hand resting on my knee. She didn't speak much but I could feel the anxiety radiating off her. In the back seat, Phoebe entertained the twins also releasing her anxiety her own way.
When the Nelion border appeared, I felt Iris tense beside me. I squeezed her hand and we drove in.
Virginia was the one who met us at my house. She was standing on the steps when we pulled up, with Kael and Darius flanking her on either side. Their little formation distracted me that I did not notice Lily until she came running down the steps before the car had even stopped moving.
"Papa!" She threw herself at me the moment I stepped out of the car, her arms wrapping arou
