A/N I know it has been ages since I uploaded but I am still here and wanting to finish this story! This chapter is a bit bitty but I hope you like it!

"Finn, can you go get the kids, please. Karl as well." I asked Finn as the vans disappeared into the distance. He did what he was told as I turned to Ada. "Can we..?" I started but she knew what I was asking and agreed immediately. "Linda, what are you going to do?" I asked, turning to our sister-in-law. She was glaring at Tommy behind us but she drew her eyes to me. "I'm going home." she told me simply. I nodded, not bothering to argue with the woman. "We'll drive you home then go to London." I confirmed and both women nodded.

Finn came back down with the children, none of them knowing what had happened just moments earlier. "Mumma, James keeps biting me." Lily said, coming over to me and clutching hold of my dress. "James, I have already told you about biting. You carry on and I'll let your father and Aunt Pol deal with you." I told the boy sternly, only thinking about my words after and my breathing hitched. "Finn, we need to drop Linda off at home then we will go to mine." Ada said beside me and the teen nodded.

"I need Finn to go to Birmingham." Tommy interjected, the first time he had spoken since our family was taken away. "Do you honestly think that I am leaving him with you?" I asked, venom in my voice as I turned to him. "Finn will be coming with me and Ada." I added and the man didn't argue with me, going into his study and closing the door. I let out an angry sigh as we rounded up the kids, bundling them in coats, hats and scarves. "Mummy, where's daddy gone?" James asked as I wrapped his scarf around his neck. "He's gone away for a little while with Uncle Arthur, Uncle Michael and Auntie Polly. They'll all be home soon but we are going to stay with Auntie Ada until they come back, okay?" I told him, gently pulling Lily into us. "Is Uncle Finn and Uncle Tommy coming with us?" Lilly asked, resting her hand on my shoulder. "Uncle Finn is but Uncle Tommy is staying here." I told her with a small smile. "Go on, go with Uncle Finn and Auntie Linda and get in the car." I told them, standing and letting Finn and Linda guide them and Karl out, Benjamin on Lindas hip.

I took a few calming breaths before putting on my coat, Ada giving me a sympathetic look. "It's going to be alright, Evie. We'll get them out." she told me, rubbing my arm. "Yeah, I know." I replied giving her a small smile before walking out of the house with her. I could feel eyes on me as we got into the car. I turned to see Tommy watching us from the window. I held his eyes for a long moment before turning away, Finn starting the car down the driveway as we settled in for the drive.

We had been at Adas a few weeks and the kids had settled in well, quickly fitting into a routine. I knew Finn was growing restless and missed life in Birmingham but when Ada and I had sat him down he had told us he wanted to stay with us. Although strange, Ada and I had also settled into living together again. The house was busy with four children, a teenager and two adults but it felt like it did when the men were at war. The constant worry was there but the house was at peace and in no immediate danger.

I knew that I would have to deal with the baby sooner or later. I knew deep down that it was Michaels but there was a hope that it was Johns. Late one night I went down to the kitchen, surprised to find most of the ingredients I needed in the cupboards. Putting them in a teapot with boiling water and letting them steep for a while before holding my hands over it. "Mama Maria îmi ascultă durerea și scoate răul din mine. Lasă-mi lumina dacă se găsește lumină." I whispered over the pot before pouring a cup through a streamer. "Mama ma iarta." I whispered before downing the warm liquid. It tasted earthy and I took a deep breath to make sure I didn't bring it back up. I poured and drank a few more cups before tidying up, putting the ingredients back in their spots and going back up to bed.

I sank into bed, pulling the covers around me tightly and missing the feeling of John beside me. I fell into a dreamless sleep that was abruptly interrupted by sharp pains in my stomach. I jumped out of bed, running into the bathroom in time to empty the contents of my stomach. I rinsed my mouth out in the sink, looking at my reflection in the mirror for a moment. Hardly recognising the hollow face that stared back. My green eyes were flat and my normally wild hair fell around my face limply. I ran myself a bath as another round of cramps pulled my body. Sinking into the steaming tub, the clear water was quickly tinged red and I had my answer. The baby was Michaels and the tea had done its job.

I had stayed in the bath until I saw the sun start to rise through the window. I pulled the plug on the bath and turned on the shower, rinsing my hair and body as I watched the bloody water being pulled down the plug. The few tears that escaped from my eyes were quickly washed away by the water and when I was confident no more would come, I turned off the shower and stepped out. I got dried and dressed quickly, brushing my curls before securing them in a braid. I managed to get downstairs and start a pot of tea before I heard the children waking up.

Half an hour later, all four children, Finn, Ada and I were all sitting around the kitchen table. I smiled as the kids chatted amongst them. "Was that you I heard up last night?" Ada asked, taking a sip of her tea. "Er, yeah. Sorry if I woke you. I wasn't very well." I told her, hoping she would get the hint. She looked at me for a long moment before her face changed. "Are you okay?" She asked, concern in her voice. "Yeah, I'm fine. Wasn't meant to be." I told her, with a sad smile. "Too much stress and uncertainty around." I added, taking a sip of my tea. She looked at me with sad eyes for a moment longer before going back to her newspaper knowing I wouldn't want a fuss. I gave Finn a smile before turning back to my own paper.

A few months later and we were still in the same position. Ada and I had exhausted almost all of our contacts trying to figure out a way to get our family out of jail and we were being denied visitation so we hadn't seen or heard from any of them since they were taken away.

We were sat having dinner when the phone rang. "I'll go." Finn volunteered, standing and heading for the hallway. We could hear him talking to someone before he called my name. "Who is it?" I questioned, frowning slightly at Ada. "It's Tommy." he admitted. "Hang up, Finn." I called back, shaking my head. "He says it's urgent, Evie." Finn's voice came again. I rolled my eyes, scraping my chair back before heading into the hall. "Go finish your dinner." I told Finn, taking the receiver out of his hand and not putting it to my ear before I heard him sitting back down at the table. "What, Thomas?" I asked down the phone, venom in my voice. "You, Ada and Linda need to get down to the prison tomorrow. I'm getting them out." he told me before hanging up. I stood stunned for a moment, not sure I heard him correctly. My heart thundered in my chest as I called Adas name. She came into the hall quickly, confused. "He's getting them out. Tomorrow." I told her, my voice low and still unsure. "What?" she asked, brow furrowed. "They're all getting out tomorrow." I repeated and broke into laughter. "They're coming home, Ada." I told her, smiling. She had an equally bright smile on her face as we hugged, over the moon at the prospect of having our family together again.

The next morning we were all there for nine. Finn was in the car with the kids, Linda and Arthur's son in his arms while Linda, Ada and I were standing outside. We were waiting nervously, watching the gate intently. "I need a cigarette." I muttered, tapping my foot impatiently. Ada quickly handed me one, lighting one for herself before offering me the lighter. We could feel the seconds ticking by as we waited. It was half nine when the gates finally opened. We all waited with baited breath as a moment went by before Arthur, Michael and John stepped through the gate. I couldn't contain my excitement as I ran up to John, jumping into his arms. He easily caught me as I wrapped my legs around his waist, he buried his face in my hair and inhaled deeply. He held me tightly to him and I felt like I never wanted to let him go.

Translations - Mother Mary listen to my pain and remove the evil from me. Leave me with the light if any light is found.

Mother forgive me.