The Magic of Hecate
Chapter 17 Chapter 17

A day later,

I was finally home. It felt odd to be back amongst the forest and crispnorthern breeze. With the air filled with the fresh scent of pine and theground scattered with their natural litter, nothing had changed.Everything was perfectly peaceful. The bright sunlight fought its waythrough the multitude of branches to produce only a dappled versionof itself and the nesting birds tweeted from high above. It was hard tobelieve that anything terrible could ever happen here. But the thoughtof Milly lingered like a terrifying shadow at the back of my mind. Andthe worst part? We were so close and now so powerless.

As our house came into sight, I took Leo's hand. He turned to me andtucked my hair behind my ear.

"Ready?" he asked.

I nodded and he kissed me softly on the forehead.

"Before we go in, I need to apologise. I should never have hit you. Thatis my one rule and I broke it because I lost my temper. I don't expectyou to forgive me but I want you to know that I am sorry.”

"I forgive you, Leo. Of course, I do. You had every right to be mad atme."

"I still should not have done it," he said kissing my cheek. "I'm sorry.Now let's go and see our bambinos.”

I smiled at the thought of seeing my six little ones and as we nearedthe front door I heard the faint sound of their laughter.

Unable to wait much longer, I ran up the steps that led to the frontdoor and burst straight into the hallway. The laughter ceased and a fewseconds later I heard little footsteps coming out of the hallway."Mama!" Cato squealed as he set his eyes on me stood breathlessly inthe doorway. I sunk to my knees and embraced my three and a half-and-a-bit-year-old. The tears were already streaming and onlyincreased when Mathias, his 8 months younger brother, joined the hugand then Silas, my youngest son only one turning two next week.

"My little boys. I've missed you so much,” I sobbed running my fingersthrough Mathias's head of blonde curls.

A moment or so later, Luca entered the hallway with an armful of baby.Francesca, one of my 1 and half-year-old twins was in one arm whilsther sister walked slowly beside. They were only just walking when I leftand now look at Marie. Lili, my youngest at nine months was in hisother arm.

"Oh my goodness. You have grown so much!" I exclaimed as I took Lilifrom Luca's hands.

Leo picked both the twins up and wrapped his arm around me and forthe first time in three months, the family was together again.

"And you two are practically running!" I said placing a hand onFrancesca's cheek.

"Do I get a hug?" Luca asked.

"Oh Luca, I'm sorry," I said handing Lili to Leo who didn't quite have hishands full yet.

I threw myself into Luca and hugged him tightly. He picked me up andswung me around before squeezing me like a Boa constrictor. Wow, Imissed my best friend.

"You're alive," he said looking at me.

"Thanks captain obvious," I remarked.

"Ahh I missed you so much," he squealed hugging me again.

Luca then picked up Silas and Mathias and I picked up Cato and we hada group hug. My best friend, my six children and the love of my life- myeight favourite people all together and all happy.

I held Leo's hand as we approached the house.