As they neared the front door, Ashley's nerves intensified. He'd been through dark times, endured captivity, but facing Eva's familyâfacing Angelo again after all this timeâfelt like a different kind of challenge. Although Callum had returned three days prior to tell everyone that they were safe, he hadn't mentioned Ashley's return. Eva had wanted to break the news herself, knowing it would be a shock, especially for Angelo.
"It'll be okay," Eva whispered, sensing his unease. She gave his hand a reassuring squeeze. "They'll be happy to see you. They're family now."
Ashley nodded, taking a deep breath, but his apprehension didn't ease. He still remembered the bond they'd all shared in the past, but time had passed, and he wasn't sure if that connection would feel the same. He was different nowâmore guarded, more broken. What if they saw that?
Eva knocked, and Alexzander was the one to open the door. His gaze flickered with surprise, though he quickly stepped aside to welcome them in. As they moved into the warm, well-lit room, Ashley's eyes scanned the living room where the others sat. A few curious glances were exchanged, but in a heartbeat, his gaze found one person.
Angelo.
For a moment, neither of them moved. Angelo's face softened, his lips parting as if trying to find words. "Big A..." he murmured, his voice tight with emotion. "I... I thought you were gone. I thoughtâ" His voice caught, as though saying it out loud would make the past more real.
Before Ashley could react, Angelo leaped up from the couch and rushed toward him, pulling him into a fierce, almost desperate hug. The weight of years and the pain of separation melted in that embrace as Angelo clung to him, his face pressed against Ashley's shoulder, breathing in as if to make sure this wasn't some illusion.
"I missed you," Angelo whispered, voice trembling with raw emotion. Ashley could feel Angelo's fingers digging slightly into his back, as if afraid he might slip away again. Though Ashley was taller now, the roles were reversedâAngelo, the one needing the comfort, the reassurance that this was real.
It took a few seconds before Angelo pulled back, his eyes wide with a flood of questions. "What happened? Where have you been all this time? Why didn't you come back sooner? What's Berry got to do with this? Wasn't she supposed to be in Brazil? How did you end up together? Are you okay?" His words tumbled out in rapid succession, just as they used to when he was younger.
A soft laugh escaped Ashley's lips as he looked at Angelo's earnest, questioning face. He'd missed this so muchâthe unfiltered curiosity, the warmth. "Still the question bank, huh?" he teased, ruffling Angelo's hair.
"Let's sit down first, yeah?" Eva suggested gently, grinning as she placed a hand on Angelo's shoulder.
Angelo nodded, a sheepish smile tugging at his lips. "Right. You must be exhausted." He led them toward the couches where the others were already seated, watching with expressions ranging from curiosity to relief.
Noticing Eva glance around, Callum spoke up, "Mom and Dad went to Vegas for a few days. Figured they could use a break." Eva nodded, making a mental note to call them soon.
Xavier, sitting with a bowl of popcorn balanced on his lap, leaned forward, his eyes sparkling with intrigue. "So... what exactly happened?" he asked, grinning as everyone turned to look at him with raised eyebrows.
Xavier shrugged, popping a kernel into his mouth. "What? I sense a story here. Gotta have popcorn for that!" He smirked, his grin only widening as he leaned back into the couch.
For the next couple of hours, Ashley and Eva recounted everythingâhow Ashley had been taken, the years that followed, and Eva's meticulous plan to find him. They left out some of the darker details, but the essence of the story was enough to silence the room. Faces shifted from shock to admiration, each of her brothers processing the story in their own way.
Alexzander, after a long silence, finally spoke. "You're welcome to stay here as long as you want, Ashley. There's plenty of space, and you're... well, you're part of this family now."
"Thank you," Ashley replied, his voice soft, but the sincerity in his eyes spoke volumes.
Xavier reached over and patted Ashley's shoulder. "No need to thank us, mate. You're one of us. That's all there is to it."
"Yeah," Angelo agreed, smiling softly, his gaze not leaving Ashley's. "Family."
Austin nodded thoughtfully. "Why don't you pick out a room, settle in? You must need the rest."
Ashley nodded, grateful for their warmth. He excused himself and made his way down the hallway, feeling the weight of the last few years beginning to lift as he walked away to settle in.
---
The next morning, as the family gathered around the breakfast table, they noticed that Ashley's seat remained empty. Eva looked around, concern flickering in her eyes.
"Where's Ashley?" she asked, glancing at Angelo.
Angelo, who was seated beside her, smiled. "He's still asleep. Let him rest; he's probably catching up on all the years he missed out on."
The rest of breakfast passed with easy conversation and laughter. The brothers shared small anecdotes, jokes, and bits of family news, a welcome warmth filling the room as they took comfort in each other's presence. For Eva, it felt like the family she'd always hoped to haveâwhole and at peace.
Just as they were finishing, Eva's phone rang, breaking the soft murmur of their conversation. She glanced at the screen and frowned slightly.
"Who is it?" Callum asked, raising an eyebrow.
"It'sNeron," Eva replied, glancing at the text that had come through. "Just checkingin, wondering what I'm up to."