Theo stood quietly near the doorway, his hands shoved into the pockets of his jacket, his mind still reeling from everything that had happened.
His eyes, however, never strayed far from Aries.
She was on her knees, arms wrapped tightly around the kids as if she couldn't quite believe they were safe and real in front of her. Her shoulders shook with every sob, muffled words of comfort and apology tumbling from her lips as the children clung to her just as tightly.
Theo's throat tightened.
Aunt Brenda stepped forward first, tears glistening in her eyes. She knelt beside Aries and gently touched her shoulder. "Oh, sweetheart… You're safe. You're all safe."
Uncle Andres wasn't far behind. He crouched down with a wide but slightly trembling smile, ruffling Liam and Levi's hair before pulling Aries into a careful hug. "You and the kids are back. That's what matters."
