Lara leaned back in the seat of the privet jet as they took off. She heard Hilary sit down across from her and smiled as he gently slipped off her boots and rubbed her feet. Bryce was fast asleep in his own seat and Lara smiled at sense of semi-privacy.
"How are you feeling?" Hilary asked
"Tired" Lara replied
"You look exhausted"
"Hilly? Is Serena safe?"
"Yes my lady. Her nanny has been keeping her since you left. They will meet us at the manor when we return"
"Good. Come let me lean on you"
Hilary got up and sat down next to Lara. She lifted the armrest and rested her head against his shoulder. Hilary smiled as he heard her breath even out and let her fall asleep. Bryce woke up an hour later and looked at Hilary with a question in his eyes. Hilary waved him off and gently shifted Lara so she was laying more in his lap. Lara woke up a few hours later and smiled softly at Hilary.
"You need more rest my lady" Hilary said softly
"I'm ok" Lara replied
"Are you sure your feeling alright?"
"A little bruised and sore but I'm fine. Stop worrying Hilly"
"Lara, I would like to think that since I have been your butler for many years and your friend I can tell when something is wrong. So please, tell me what is wrong?"
"I could have put Serena in danger. Hilly, I could have left my little girl without a mother"
"Lara, your shaking. Every thing turned out ok. Serena is safe and always was and you came back. Lady you know I would go to the ends of the earth and even die for your daughter. And you Lara are very, very strong. You are stronger than you know and your own experiences have taught you to fight with everything to say here with your baby girl"
Lara smiled and kissed Hilary's cheek softly. She sat up and winced as she felt her shirt rub the bandage on her back. Hilary frowned slightly as he watched her sit back in her seat and try to hide the pain.
"I should change the dressing on your back" Hilary said
"It's fine" Lara replied
"That was more of a statement than a question. And I'm changing it now so turn around"
"My aren't you bossy"
Hilary smiled as Lara turned around and peeled off her shirt. He quickly changed the dressing on her back and watched as she pulled her shirt back on. Lara turned around and kissed his forehead softly before sitting back down in her seat. She closed her eyes and gently reached for Hilary's hand. He let her stroke his hand with hers until they both fell asleep. Both woke up as they landed, a few hours after they got off the plane Lara smiled as they walked in the door of Croft manor. Lara smiled as they looked around and she heard the patter of little feet. She smiled as she saw the little girl come bounding on to the landing and started down the steps.
"Serena" Lara said
"Mummy! You back" Serena said as she ran to her mother
"I'm back baby"
"I missed you"
"I missed you too little girl. Were you a good girl for Celia"
"She was an angel lady Croft" The nanny said as she walked down the steps
"Thank you. You have the rest of the night and tomorrow off. My driver can take you home"
"Thank you ma'am, have a good night"
Lara nodded and watched the young woman leave before smiling at Serena and setting her down. The little girl held her mothers hand and smiled brightly.
"Come on little miss" Lara said softly "It is way past your bedtime"
"Read me a story?" Serena asked
"Sure princess"
Hilary smiled as he watched them walk up the stairs. He crept up the stairs half an hour later and smiled as he saw Lara standing in the doorway of her daughters bedroom. The butler stopped beside her and Lara gently picked up his hand.
"Did she go down easy?" Hilary asked
"Like a dream" Lara replied
"Well, everything is unpacked and Bryce is sound asleep in his trailer. I shall retire for the night unless you need anything"
"No, I'm fine. Have a good night"
"You too Lara, you too"
Lara watched her butler walk away before walking quietly to her own room. She showered and got dressed for bed quickly before crawling into bed and falling asleep. Hilary smiled as he laid down in his own bed on the opposite side of the manor. He woke up in the middle of the night to a small finger poking his arm.
"Serena? What are you doing here?" Hilary asked as he sat up
"Mama's having a bad dream. I'm scared" Serena replied
"Come on angel"
Hilary scooped up the little girl and ran to Lara's bedroom. He set Serena down outside the door and walked in. Hilary slowly walked to the bed and sat down on the edge. He grabbed Lara's shoulders and started talking to her softly.
"Lara. You're safe. You're home now. It's all over" Hilary said softly "Wake up, you're ok"
"Hilly?" Lara said "Why are you in my room?"
"You were having a nightmare and you woke Serena. She came and got me"
"Rena? Come here please" Lara smiled softly as the little girl ran into the room and jumped in bed with her mother "Serena I'm ok baby"
"I'm sorry mommy. I got scared"
"It's ok baby. You did the right thing. Do you want to sleep with me tonight?"
Serena nodded and crawled under the covers. Lara watched as she drifted off to sleep and smiled at Hilary. He smiled back and moved to stand up. He felt a hand on his arm and turned to look at Lara.
"Stay" Lara said "Please. In case I wake up again"
"As you wish
Lara smiled as she watched Hilary slide into bed on the other side of Serena. He reached across the little girl and squeezed Lara's hand before watching her fall asleep.