About half an hour later, Rylan's sister Jessica knocked on the door, with her mate and their new-born baby.
"Mum!!" She squealed, giving her a loose hug. Robert greeted both their parents and held up the car seat for her parents to look at baby Issy. She was all snuggled up and very adorable.
Rylan led Adeline back into the hallway and walked over to Jessica. They didn't expect any touch, but Rylan reached out his hand to shake Roberts, and gave his sister a kiss on the cheek. He was surprised at how comfortable he had been the last few days, but Adeline seemed to calm him down. They both seemed slightly shocked at his confidence, last time they were here he wouldn't even come downstairs.
"Congratulations." He spoke, peering down at his niece. "She's gorgeous."
"I hope you're both well, it's really nice to meet you too." Jessica gave Adeline a hug.
"Rylan, introduce Adeline." His mother gestured and he smiled, reaching for Adeline's hand for comfort.
"Well, you just did..." He pointed out and Jessica seemed shocked. "This is my mate, Adeline. This is Jessica, Robert, and Issy." He explained and Jessica looked at her mother for approval.
"Well, congratulations to you too." His sister replied.
"Adeline?" She checked her name and she nodded.
"Let's go and sit down!! Who wants a drink?" Susan rushed around after everyone for a while and everything settled in the living room, sitting down around the coffee table.
Issy was passed round from Susan to William and back to Robert who held her while Jessica caught up with her family.
"Can I hold her?" Rylan asked quietly. Everyone went quiet and faced him, surprised that he had asked. That was a shock.
"Are you sure? You'll be okay with her?" Jessica asked and he nodded. She trusted him but was extremely shocked he asked. "She's still small Rylan, maybe you want to wai- "
"He'll be okay. We're right here if he needs us." Robert spoke up. "Your really want to hold her?" He checked. Rylan looked at Adeline for support and nodded. He wanted to able to hold his own niece. Jessica was unsure, but trusted that she would be okay.
He was sat next to Adeline on the bean bag, but he sat up properly as Robert passed her gently into his arms, he looked nervous, but Adeline reassured him, and Jessica kept a close eye on her baby girl. He felt surprisingly okay, taking some deep breaths to steady himself, and Adeline's hands stayed underneath Issy's body gentle. She reassure him, and he seemed to calm, still unsure.
"Tell me if you want me to take her okay?" Jessica checked and he nodded, not taking his eyes from his baby niece.
She was small in his arms but seemed so big already. He was fed up with his past taking over his life and was determined to make a real effort, he was doing so well. Her eyes were open and looking around at everything she could look at from that angle. She wriggled her legs slightly, and Rylan held her in both arms, admiring her tiny form. He watched her for ages, as she stayed in his arms. He zoned out from the conversations. Jessica relaxed as she realised her baby was okay.
She started to scrunch her face up and cried a little, but he rocked her gently and she closed her eyes, quietening.
"Rylan." Jessica called and he looked up at her nodding, "Do you want me to take her?" She asked.
"No. I'm fine." He replied quickly, cradling her gently. "She's so cute. Is she good?" Rylan asked.
"As good as a baby can get..." Robert replied. He was proud of his brother in law, he had never seen his touch anyone, let alone hold his baby.
"Can I pass her back now?" He asked, He changed his mind and began to feel a tad uncomfortable. But he felt proud of himself, and as Adeline helped take her from his arms, he realised he may have overdone it.
"I'm proud of you." She whispered to him and he nodded, tapping his fingers. He breathed out heavily.
"You can get some air if you're uncomfortable, Rylan. We don't mind." Robert told him, they all sensed he was a little edgy.
"Yeah, sorry, I just need a minute" He got up from his bean bag and walked out of the room, going up the stairs.
"Want me to go?" Brody asked, getting up from the couch.
"I'll go, if that's okay?" Adeline got up too.
"Just shout if you need me." He sat back down, Rylan's mum squeezing him into a side-hug.
Adeline went into their room and he was standing at the window, trembling. She closed the door behind her, and he didn't move when he heard her lightly step across the room. She could sense he was frustrated and struggling against himself.
"You did so well." Adeline put her hand round his, not knowing where he would want her. She looked around at his face and he was crying softly, letting the tears drip onto his cheeks.
"I... I just." He tried to talk but shook his head, putting his head down. "I'm so fed up with my life being taken over."
"Rylan... It's okay to cry... You're fine..." Adeline reassured him and he nodded, taking a deep breath. He tried to calm himself down, but shook his head again, turning it away.
"Would you like a hug?" Adeline asked a few moments later.
He took his hands from the windowsill and wrapped them around her waist, digging his face into her neck and letting himself cry. He didn't think about how uncomfortable he was, he just instinctively calmed himself down in her hold.
Brody appeared at the door. "I'm out here if you need me." He said quietly to Adeline and she nodded, trying to help him calm down without brutal force being applied. She knew it was likely at the point, as he sobbed and flinched at himself, she gently rubbed his back, being careful to watch his breaths.
"We've had such a nice day, remember? This morning in the woods, Rhea was loving it. You made her so happy, you make me so happy... Please Rylan, it's okay to cry, You're okay." She assured him, holding him as he cried and fought his internal battle.
"Can I pick you up?" He asked not showing his face and she smiled, nodding into his shoulder, he scooped his hands under her thighs and wrapped her legs around him, holding on under her bum. She held on round his neck very lightly. He sighed with discomfort, but wanted to hold her close.
They were face to face and he didn't try to hide his puffy eyes and red cheeks, he looked curiously at Adeline, studying her face, trying to distract himself from their touch.
"I just did a little too much." He reassured himself, nodding slightly as Adeline nodded. He steadied his breathing. He visible flinched and continued to steady himself, holding his mate. He sat on the edge of the bed with her around him, this was their first really intimate hug, and as much as he was very uncomfortable and distressed, her scent calmed him.
"You did perfectly... And you controlled yourself to be able to say that you were done... You did so well, Rylan. So, well..." She told him, using one hand to wipe his cheeks for him, very gently.
"Do you think Jess is annoyed at me?" He asked with a sniff and Adeline quickly shook her head.
"No, not at all. She was probably slightly worried, but I'm sure she's proud of you for holding Issy for that long. And thankful, that you told her when you were finished when you did... And it's okay to have limits, Rylan. You've been through a lot, you're allowed to say no and tell people if you don't like something." Adeline paused.
"Just like with me if I do too much you have to tell me. Or if you want to do more, you can tell me. Communication is the one thing that's going to help you through all of this. You're doing amazing, but you're allowed to cry... it's emotional. Look even I'm crying now." Adeline kept blinking, getting rid of the tears forming in her eyes.
"You're helping me through this." He pointed out and she smiled, shaking her head.
"I might be helping a little bit, but you're allowed help too. You're doing the majority of this on your own. It's this, up here." She tapped his head lightly. "It's getting over the demons trapped in your brain, and it's proving to yourself that you can do it and that you're okay now. And no one can hurt you anymore." She told him and he nodded, listening to her intently. "I promise I'll never hurt you like that."
"Brody, I'm okay," Rylan told him, still holding Adeline up round his waist.
"You sure you're okay?" He called. "I'm proud mate. I honestly thought we'd need the kit there."
"Yeah, I'm fine." He said confidently, not taking his eyes from Adeline as she leaned her forehead against his.
"I'm leaving," Brody said, his voice more distant.
"Can I kiss you?" He asked and she smiled nervously.
He placed her down on the floor and ran his hands up from her thighs over the curves of her behind and up to her neck, where he leaned in confidently, connecting their lips. This is all he had ever wanted, and now he was working towards it.
His touch had left sparks down her back, making her wobble slightly, but he reached up to her hands to his neck and kissed him back, moving forward an inch so their bodies collided.
He pulled away after a few seconds and looked at her for approval. The grin on her face was enough for him to lean back in, kissing her once more. He pulled back and smiled.