Mint and Honey

[KieranSoares]

"I had people to help," Alex murmured to Ruari before he knelt to catch both his sisters as well. He hugged them all tightly with a deep sigh, closing his eyes. "I've thought about you all every single day... You were the only thing that kept me going when I lost hope those first weeks."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Mama has been waiting for you." Viola murmured as her brother held them all tightly, talking about how they had kept him going on hard times. "And Papa too. He's been terribly ill lately."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I'll see to him as soon as I can," Alex promised before he set all of them down carefully and rose to face his father as Theo stepped out, the two meeting in a tight embrace. The meeting was silent, each understanding there was little they could say before Theo stepped away and Alex was left facing Valentina.

"Ma," he murmured, taking a few steps toward the door. She saw a look in his eyes not unlike the fearful toddler who had looked to her for safety years ago.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Bambino." Valentina said softly as she wrapped her son up in a tight hug. "I'm so glad that you're home."

It was all that she could say right then as she pressed a kiss to his hair, breathing in the scent that her son still carried since he was a baby. It was fresh and clean like the woods but earthy from the plants her dealt with every single day. It made her smile as she knew that her boy was finally home for good.

"Papa went to get your father from where he's staying in the village just a few moments ago. Riders had seen the ship in the harbor. We'll have a big meal to celebrate and then get you situated." Valentina said softly, pulling back slightly to look into his eyes.

 

[KieranSoares]

Tears finally filled Alex's eyes as he held his mother, and when she drew back slightly, he quickly looked her over. "How are you? The stress probably didn't help... I wanted to come back, but I had to help Yasmine's family... It was the least they deserved." He was trying to explain himself, talking a little too quickly as the anxiety of their long separation hit him.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Bambino, calm down." Valentina murmured, cupping his face in her hands. "I'm fine. Your father and Papa took care of me. I'm still alive and everything is fine."

She could see the guilt on his face and she knew that he was feeling their separation hard. She simply hugged him tightly again, rocking him back and forth as she had when he was little and having a hard time expressing himself when something bad had happened.

"And what about Yasmine? Is she alright?" Valentina asked softly.

 

[KieranSoares]

"She came with me. But she left me to see you all on my own first... She... She's the only reason I'm standing here now." He looked to Valentina's gaze once more and whispered, "We're still working some things out... But... I love her, Ma. And she loves me. And we make a good team."

 

[heartofcourage]

"That makes me happy beyond belief, love." Valentina said softly, brushing his hair out of his face as he confessed that he was in love.

 

[KieranSoares]

"I welcomed her to stay at my house," he muttered, laying his head on her shoulder. "She gave me the comfort and company I missed in Palmyra... And her family made sure I made it home to you."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Just go at your own pace and don't let anyone else pressure you into things that you aren't ready for." Valentina murmured as he pressed his head against her shoulder. "And let her know that she is welcome here any time that she wishes to visit."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I'll bring her for dinner tonight. I'm sure the little ones will want to see her too." He turned to look back at his siblings now being tended and waiting patiently by their father. He kept an arm around Valentina, and welcomed the others all together once more. The family bunched together and held one another, the youngest in the middle.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Alright, Ru. Get Alex inside and get him fed." Valentina said as the littlest Irons took his brother by the hand and pulled him inside their house.

 

[KieranSoares]

Theo sent the girls along too, watching them all go before he looked to Valentina in silence, a relaxation coming over him. His tension gave way to exhaustion, and he came to hug Valentina tightly.

 

[heartofcourage]

"He's home, amore." Valentina said softly, kissing her husband's cheek as Alex was guided inside. "And you can relax."

 

[KieranSoares]

"So can you," he whispered, letting her know his deepest worry was for her once more. He stole a proper kiss and wrapped an arm about her waist to guide her inside.

 

[heartofcourage]

The house was noisy as Viola worked to get her older brother fed. Lunch had been cooking on the stove when they had heard news that the ship was in the harbor. By the time Alex was there, everything was read. Ruari insisted that he was going to sit next to Alex, no matter what. Franny and Vi were more than happy to oblige.

 

[KieranSoares]

When the family was all settled to eat, Alex happily regaled his siblings with the tale of how Yasmine had saved him, though he left out the darker bits and lightened the parts about his getting hurt and nearly killed. He told them of Palmyra and Ibrahim, Aida, and Haroun, and then of Fatin who he gladly brought up to the door for them to meet when they were finished.

 

[heartofcourage]

Ruari was instantly in love with the drake, looking him over with excited eyes. He had talked about nothing for weeks besides Alex coming home and having his own drake when he was older. Valentina and Theo had been considering expanding their stables for their horses and a drake in the near future.

 

[KieranSoares]

Fatin did well with the children, though Alex made sure to warn them that Fatin hadn't had a good past with humans and he was still a work in progress. He even let them ride around the house a while. It was only as evening neared that Alex left temporarily to fetch Yasmine. She would see him come riding toward the house, beaming and happier than she'd seen in weeks.

 

[heartofcourage]

Yasmine was relaxing on his front porch when she saw him coming for her. She had gotten her things settled and changed her clothes after bathing. She was in a warmer gown, one that was long sleeved and modest, gifted to her by her grandfather in the generous wardrobe that he had put together for her.

"You look happy." She said, kissing him in greeting as he slipped from Fatin's back.

 

[KieranSoares]

"That doesn't begin to describe it." Alex draped his arms around her and returned her kiss with gusto. "We'd all love to have you come over for dinner. I think they all want to thank you and maybe smother you with attention too."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Well, I suppose I should. I haven't had the chance to eat all day." She said with a smile as he kissed her in return.

 

[KieranSoares]

"I told Ma about us... And I know they all already love you. You'll always have a place with us." He pressed his forehead to hers.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Is this you trying out romance?" Yasmine asked with a smile, chuckling at the look in his blue eyes. "Because I certainly enjoy it."

 

[KieranSoares]

"This just feels natural," he admitted, hugging her tighter. "You make it easy."