"Patri-Ophfm!"

"Shelagh are you okay!" He picked up her glasses and offered her a hand, biting his cheeks and trying not to laugh as he did.

"I'm. Fine." She growled back, in all honestly it was his fault that she tripped. He once again left his shoes in the middle of the floor, someone was bound to trip on them soon.

"What was it you needed darling?"

"Is your case packed?"

"Yes and Angela's is too, Timothy is just finishing his."

"Mine is done as well, and the house is cleaned like we found it" She gave him a smile and he kissed her forehead.

"Have I ever told you how much I love you?"

"Yes Mr. Turner, I believe you have." She snickered, back at him.

"I'm going to load the car and we will leave in an hour?" Shelagh nodded, and continued to make sure they got everything. Soon the car was loaded and the dreaded time for goodbyes was upon them.

"I love you!" Shelagh hugged her sister as tight as she could, thinking maybe if she held on she wouldn't be ripped from her.

"I-love-you-too!" Sìneag sniffled, not realizing how hard she was actually crying. When they pulled away Finnean pulled her into a hug, he was crying as well. It wasn't long before he pulled Sìneag in and held onto them both.

"Shelagh love, we have to go" The words broke Patrick's heart, this would be a hard ride home for them all. Shelagh shook her head and gave them one last squeeze, then got into the car.

Angela was already asleep and Tim was well on his way there. Shelagh was sure glad for the blanket she brought with her, and the box of tissues. She cried herself to sleep in the car, and felt as though her heart was being taken from her chest. Patrick was the only one awake for the last stretch in the car ride, he was glad Shelagh was asleep because he didn't want her to see him cry. They arrived at the airport, boarded and set off for home.

Patrick carried Timothy up the stairs and into the house, and Shelagh did the same for Angela. It was just after 8 when they got in and with the kids asleep Shelagh knew she had a while to take a hot bath and unwind before bed. As she was getting ready to walk upstairs, she remembered she needed to check the weeks of post. Patrick had mentioned setting it all on the sideboard for her, picking it up there was one cream coloured letter that stuck out to her. Upon opening it, there was a key inside and a note.

"31 Hurst road. 6pm, Sunday dinner. Let yourself in."

That was all, and there was a small bronze key in the bottom.

"Patrick?" She called up the stairs, completely stunned.

"Yes, dear? What is it, you look out of sorts." He put a protective arm around her and looked into her blue eyes.

"Do we know anyone at 31 Hurst road?"

"No, I don't think we do. Why?"

"Looks like we are going on an adventure on Sunday!" He chuckled, and handed him the letter.

"Ohhh- dear." Shelagh walked upstairs and ran herself a bath and enjoyed a strong cuppa, before retreating to join her now sleeping husband. Something wasn't settling in her mind though, so she decided to read a bit of Jane Eyre for a while to put her at ease.

"I have for the first time found what I can truly love–I have found you. You are my sympathy–my better self–my good angel–I am bound to you with a strong attachment. I think you good, gifted, lovely: a fervent, a solemn passion is conceived in my heart; it leans to you, draws you to my center and spring of life, wrap my existence about you–and, kindling in pure, powerful flame, fuses you and me in one."

She looked over to her husband and ran a light finger down his cheek and smiled, she found her better self.


Six days later.

"Mum, Dad, where are we going?" Timothy asked, sitting in the backseat kicking the passenger chair.

"On an adventure for dinner." Shelagh replied softly, getting a sarcastic grunt in return. The car halted to a stop in front of the building, and Patrick got Angela and Shelagh the cake she made from the boot (Never come empty handed!). She pulled out the key from her bag and put it into the lock, the family stepped into the house and walked down the long hallway, Shelagh leading the way. She almost swore she recognized the picture hanging on the wall, but she couldn't place where. She handed the cake to Timothy and ran her hand along the wall, turning on the light as she did.

"Hello?" She called, hoping to hear something in return. She was nervous, what should she expect? This whole situation sounded and was proving to be a bit black and white to her. Angela was still asleep in Patrick's arms, he loved how she looked when she was asleep, so innocent and beautiful. Shelagh rounded the corner into the kitchen and stopped dead.

She fell to her knees and began to cry uncontrollably, resting her head in her hands. One of the figures standing in front of her knelt down, and whispered into her ear.

"Welcome home sis."