Isabella
She was grateful Rhys had magiced away the sand coating her but Isabella could swear she would still be finding piles of sand for days to come. Her bag certainly felt full of it. Though she couldn't tell anymore since Azriel hadn't let her carry it from the beach.
"Are we getting ice cream?" Oliver tugged at Isabella's hand, staring up at her with pleading eyes. "You promised."
"You did promise." Rhys supplies unhelpfully.
"Well I don't know where we can get ice cream so you'll have to ask–"
"Cassian! Cas-cian! Ca-si-ian!"
Ask the male most likely to cave on demands for sugar. Hilariously, that wasn't Cassian. He was a health nut, Isabella had learned, determined to get the most out of every meal. To live longer, stay in better shape, remain healthier.
Azriel on the other hand took three to four cubes of sugar in his tea.
"I know a nice parlour a few streets over." Azriel answered as Isabella had predicted. "They have lots and lots of flavours."
Oliver scrunched up his nose. "I don't want flay-ors."
Azriel arched a brow, "You don't want ice cream?"
"I want ice cream." Ol nods firmly, then shakes his head. "Not flay-ors."
Isabella smiled, enjoying the innocence of her son. It had certainly been a learning curve having a child. They learnt something new every day and so did she. If not an actual fact then a new level of happiness she never thought possible. And if she wasn't learning new depths to her adoration of Oliver, then she was learning the extent of her strength.
And also learning the depths of her anxieties and doubts.
There was nothing like motherhood to create doubt and fear. Starting with the fact a baby is literally defenceless in everything. Their defence mechanism was to scream when scared. scream. As in that super loud noise that attracts a lot of attention.
She still remembers those earlier days. Of having a newborn. Isabella doesn't remember the birth, Nesta might have been there, maybe Mrs Mandray. Tomas certainly wasn't. He was outside, away from the dirty blood.
Oliver had come early. It was no surprise after all the complications she had during the pregnancy. The dizziness and exhaustion. The weight loss and seizures. Still, the bedridden weeks after had been awful. She had been locked in a room with a newborn for over a month.
Nesta had visited, along with Elain every now and then, but it still wasn't enough.
It had certainly been a rough start to motherhood. A good way to make her face reality, and grieve Sol. She hadn't expected the birth of her son to mean the death of his father. But for Isabella it had. Every ounce of love she had felt for that male had been devoted to her son.
A part of her would always love Sol through Oliver.
But Sol was lost to her now.
A soft nudge against her shoulder, "What are you thinking of?" Rhy queries, looking down at her with thinly veiled worry. "It can just be the flavour debate." He gestured towards the two illyrians arguing with each other over which ice cream flavour was better.
"... mint choc ranks way higher than ambrosia." Cassian exclaimed dramatically to Oliver's amusement.
"You're being unreasonable." Azriel folds his arms. "What is wrong with salted caramel."
Cassian groans, "Because it's pure sugar."
"All ice cream is pure sugar." Isabella's voice comes out a fraction quieter than it should have, but the males take it in their stride, continuing with their bickering and eagerly looping her in.
"See, Isabella agrees with me." Cassian grins.
Oliver pouts, "No she doesn't. She agrees with me."
She smiles down at Ol as he tugs on her sleeve, "you like ice cream."
It's a statement, not a question.
She smiles anyway, "I do."
"Seeeee." He drags out the word in delight, "Mummy's on my side, not yours."
Cassian shakes his head, expression crushed. "You've broken my heart, Iz."
Rhys snorts, "Please don't tell me you call them Iz and Az."
"What's wrong with my nicknames."
"You might as well have said tig and tag."
Isabella couldn't help but snort in amusement much to Rhys's smug pride.
Fortunately the cobbled beach front had been left behind for a narrow side street filled with sunlight. The buildings on either side were three stories high with shutter windows and flower baskets filled with the early spring buds.
Azriel strolled ahead of them, steps purposeful towards a small glass front shop. The large panel windows looked in on various wicker seats and small tables. Most were already occupied and Isabella couldn't help but worry for where they would sit.
"It seems busy." She murmured quietly to Rhys, holding onto Oliver's shoulders as he came to stand in front of her. "There won't be any seats left."
Indeed, she seemed right. The second they entered the seaside themed shop with its various shades of pastel blue and green they were evolved in noise and chatter. Various conversations flittered over her head and Isabella began to feel a little out of place.
It was easier to notice her humanness here. Amidst the feather wings, and large horns, the green skin and bark coated faces. Oliver too seemed cautious and Cassian picked up on their unease before they had.
Her mate stepped in behind her, curled one arm around her waist to tug her protectively against his chest till she could feel his warmth against her back. Rhys had already strode forward and was talking jovially with the servers and waiters who were starstruck by the high lord.
Azriel was right, it was a lovely shop. There was white wooden panelling up to waist height while the rest of the walls were painted in art panels of rolling waves and cartoon ships. Hung around the room at odd intervals were sketches of sea creatures, ones she hoped were fake and imaginary based on the size and number of teeth.
They had reached midday so it was no wonder the little shop was filled to the brim with customers and the streets outside slowly began to fill with pop up vendors of sandwiches, hot food and some form of ice looking drink.
It was darker inside, especially in comparison to the golden light that flowed in the street outside. Azriel had taken advantage of this and had managed to secure them a table by the window that the other patrons had seemingly looked over. Or perhaps been turned away by his looming figure.
Cassian all but frog-marched over to Azriel. Oliver was soon clambering onto a seat with the help of the shadow singer while Cassian pulled out a chair for Isabella. Cassian dropped their beach bags with a resounding thud onto the floor. His own chair screeched back before he settled down heavily beside her.
Isabella peered around her, taking in the various patrons, windows doors and clamour. She was next to Azriel, allowing both of them to people-watch with perfect views.
That was another thing no one mentioned about motherhood. Paranoia. She would never have a good window view anymore, too concerned with staring inward and watching for any issues or threats approaching her child.
You have Azriel for that no.
I have 4 years worth of paranoid experience too.
... he has 500 years.
That's not a good thing.
"They've grown quite fond of you." Azriel plucked the shadow from her shoulder, letting it screech in indignation before he flung it against a shadowed wall where it dissipated. "It took them centuries to warm up to Cassian and Rhys."
"And the little shi— shadows — still wont gossip with me." Her mate grumbled, handing Oliver one of the little menus on the table.
Azriel sighed, clearly having had this conversation before. "They're happy to listen to whatever gossiping rambles you wish to share with them, Cas."
"It's no fun if they don't gossip back." He huffs.
Azriel rolls his eyes. "That's because you ask them pointed questions like they're in interrogation."
Cassian shrugs, making no attempt to deny the accusation. "Because they were,"
For a moment Isabella just holds herself there, in that moment of domesticity that seemed so far away two days ago. She's under no illusions about the males. They're all forcefully playing nice for her sake rather than intentionally making up. In truth she had made the decision to force them together after one of her late night musings where she once again attempted to write Nesta a letter on smooth parchment.
Isabella and her twin had fought plenty. Everything from hair pulling to vicious words. With that in mind she had decided that the brother would just have to get along. Which meant she had taken a page out of her mother's book and forced them all on a family outing where social pressures forced them to behave and get along.
Unfortunately she couldn't use her mother's tried and tested trick of forcing her and Nesta into the paths of suitors. It had once made them competitive, eager to out do the other twin on who could capture the attention of the most eligible bachelor first. Then they realised what that attention meant and where it was leading. After they fell into ruin Isabella couldn't help but wish she had married one of the repugnant men. They were old and vile but they were honourable enough to provide a roof over their heads and food on the table.
Perspective truly in a funny thing.
"You've gotten lost again." Rhys nudges her shoulder in greeting, looming over their little table as he hands out the various menus. "Shall we head up to order ice cream or do we want actual food?"
The parent in her knew they should have real food first, stop Oliver from getting a sugar rush. But she had encouraged this outing on the premise of a good time and fun. Which typically constitutes ice cream when going to the beach as according to the romance novel she had taken from the local library.
"Shall we go pick some ice cream?" It was a question still but she meant it as a statement. Her mates thankfully understood her request and Azriel helped her to her feet while Cassian hoisted Oliver into his arms.
The young lady, or perhaps the old lady, was already smiling at them from behind the counter. For a moment Isabella blinked in surprise at the smooth purple skin mottled with pink stripes. She seemed to literally have glowing flecks on her skin, like freckles, with each one emitting a golden light. The woman cooed at Oliver, waving jovial and suddenly the irresistible to hide her son away overtook her.
Azriel gripped her hand. The shadowsinger quickly tugged her into his side while Cassian pointed out each flavour to Oliver.
"Calm down," Azriel murmured against the side of her head, "there's no need to frighten the college student working her third job."
She felt her throat bob, "Just caught me by surprise is all."
"The female?" There was no judgement in his tone, no accusation against her prejudiced fear.
Isabella shook her head, "the fear." Azriel stiffened behind her. "I just hadn't felt it in a while."
He didn't insult by implying her fears were unjustified. Nor did he offer false promises of protection and feeble oaths. He just held her a fraction tighter before guiding her over to the glass cabinet full of ice cream.
"Mum! Mum!"
"Shhhhh... Ollie." Cassian grinned around his mock whisper. "Let's use inside voices."
Now that was a phrase from a parenting book if she had ever heard one.
He son sheepishly blushed. Isabella quickly smiled at him, hoping to encourage him to speak up while fighting the urge to clip Cassian up the side of his head. It had taken her so long to build up the boy's confidence. To get him capable of more than a quiet tone.
Oliver wriggled in the generals grasp. Kneeing his stomach and kicking his shins till Cassian dropped him onto the floor with a grunt.
He was by her side in seconds, tugging at her hand while looking up at her with pleading eyes.
"Have you chosen?" She asked softly, hunching over to scoop him up into her arms. "There's lots of options."
Oliver tucked his head into her neck, staring at the ice cream options as he fell silent.
It was going to be a quiet day now. She could feel it. Call it mother's intuition but she knew Oliver was done for the day. Not just physically tired out but clearly having a 'shy moment'.
Isabella hummed, already knowing how to fill the suddenly awkward silence.
"Well I like caramel," She smiled politely at the young college girl behind the counter, feeling guilty for fearing her. "Have you got any caramel options?"
The server glanced at Rhys and for a moment Isabella worried she had overstepped. Tomas had always ordered for her when they were out together. She had been out on her own so often now that she had forgotten all those social etiquettes her mother had drilled into her head.
Isabella glanced at Rhys in concern but he was already watching Cassian with a soft expression. She frowned. Why was that girl looking at Rhys then? She glanced back at the girl, at the bright flickering glow that she assumed was a blush on her cheeks.
Oh.
Oh.
College student had a crush.
It brought a soft giggle to Isabella's lips. One that not only captured the males' attention but the server as well. The female blushed and Isabella arched an amused brow, watching as she quickly fluttered around the ice cream with mutters of 'samples' and 'try this one'.
She still remembered being that age. Worse than that, she still remembered Elaina and Feyre being at that coy age. It was both adorable and embarrassing.
Thankfully the server managed to master herself long enough to supply three ice cream sundaes of flavours she had never heard of, a tub of vanilla and a tub of caramel. It had taken some argument before Rhys relented and let them get away without having a sundae each. It had taken Isabella smirking and asking if he was truly so unwilling to share.
All three had blanched at the play on words.
Yes, it was cruel of her to joke about such matters that were so fresh but the sooner they stopped treating the matter as a serious offence the better.
Which unfortunately meant discussing the matter while Oliver was distracted with a colouring that had materialised with a snap of Rhys' fingers. Azriel and Cassian were side by side opposite her, leaving Rhys to take the seat on her right while Oliver sat at the head of the table, fenced in against the glass window and the table.
"I'm sorry for upsetting him." Cassian looked so guilt ridden that her heart clenched. "I was trying to not just be a fun uncle and–" He waved a hand. "Got it wrong."
Oh he was so sweet.
Isabella smiled comfortingly, "It truly wasn't you Cassian." She glanced at her son who was fully engrossed in the animal colouring book. "Oliver was tired and hungry. It was only a matter of time before he snapped."
He still looked guilty.
"I'm just grateful it wasn't a public screaming match or tantrum." She tried to joke but now all three males looked concerned.
"I wish he had screamed." Azriel muttered watching the quiet boy with sad understanding. "Anger is better than this."
"Anger is still this," Isabella pointed out, "it's just louder."
"Would you like to voice your quiet thoughts." Rhys offers in a gracious tone that was so fucking pointed, but the high lord only blinked with innocence. "You know... set a good example for Ollie."
Isabella leant back in her chair, eating a mouthful of her ice cream to buy some time. Rhys narrowed his eyes, clearly knowing exactly what she was doing.
"And here I was hoping to discuss the three of you."
"Nope," Rhys made a popping sound at the end of the word. "I ask first, no avoidance."
"You'll get upset with my thoughts." She warned and he shrugged.
"Then we'll get upset and deal with it when it happens." Rhys smiled supportively. Isabella narrowed her eyes. She could see the conniving glee behind his eyes. She should have known he wanted some kind of payback for springing this meeting on them.
She waits, thinking about which thought she wants to share. Which one stands the least likely to side track this whole trip.
"I was thinking about my twin."
"Nesta?" Azriel confirms.
"I only have one twin." She huffs and Azriel rolls his eyes at her. "I miss her."
"We can visit her if you want." Cassian offers and Rhys cuts him a glare that goes ignored. "Or we can send a letter if you would rather start with that."
"I was hoping to sort out my communication issues with the three of you before my twin sister who will always have my back no matter how much we argue."
"We would always stand by." Azriel states, briefly taking his concerned gaze off her son. "Don't compare us with Tomas."
"I was comparing you to Sol."
There was a tense pause where Isabella felt like an absolute bitch but it had just slipped out. It wasn't a lie, it just wasn't the whole truth. In her defence she only had two serious relationships to compare them to. They had a couple of hundred no doubt.
Rhys clears his throat from beside her, "Well we might as well discuss it now."
Isabella nods, "good, begin."
She gestures to the three of them, dropping her ice cream tub onto the table so she can lean back with loosely folded arms. All three of them blink at her owlishly. Rhys has the audacity to pointedly clear his throat.
Isabella arches a brow, remaining silent.
Azriel narrows his eyes on her but he too is content to remain silent.
Cassian on the other hand was going to break in seconds as they all knew. He couldn't stand awkward silence. Though that might have been affected by his earlier guilt. Not that she needs to worry considering the general is already wincing in annoyance. True to form it takes only a minute more before Cassian looks uncomfortable.
"Oh fine, I'll talk first." He huffed out in a rush, clearly pleased to have disrupted the silence. "We assumed you would be communicating with us."
"Interesting." She mused and Cassian slumped in disappointment when she said nothing further.
Rhys sighs, "Really?"
She shrugs, smirking a little.
"I assumed you had a purpose for dragging us out here." the high lord grumbled.
"Ah, so it was a chore to spend time with me and my son."
The Illyrians cut the high lord a glare and she pounced on it, "See." She jabs at them with a pointed finger. "That right there is what I'm complaining about."
Cassian shifts uncomfortably while Azriel remains stone faced.
"The three of you have an animosity that I don't want to get involved with." She all but snaps. "Your grown adults. Hell you're 500 years old, act like."
She tuts, folding up the napkin she placed in her lap and moving to rise to her feet with her empty tub. Rhys beats her to it, standing and taking the rubbish from her and moving to the bins. Isabella jerks her head towards her mates who immediately wince. She pointed glances at the High Lord, glaring at the two of them until Rhys returned to the table.
"This whole issue started because we were territorial jerks." Azriel states and Cassian opens his mouth to protest but all three of them shoot him a look. "Your... flirtations," He ground his teeth and Rhys just had to smirk at it. "Clearly poked at old wounds and we took that out on you."
Rhys smiles sweetly, "That doesn't sound like an apology."
"It's not," Azriel states blankly. "It's an explanation."
This was going to be a long discussion.
A/N: Hi guys, I had some technical difficulties so this chapter is a few days late. I'm working out some plot points and would like to get a general view of reader opinions.
Do you want Sol (Oliver's bio dad) to be involved in the story?
(Not just as a drama device but also as some representation of split relationships and kids of separated couples)