It was dark by the time Ian and Ilona made it back to the large house. The smell of whatever Anja was cooking hit them as soon as they opened the door, along with the warmth and the sound of so many voices talking excitedly at once.
Thankfully, everyone was too busy to notice when the siblings entered, the rest of the pirates having come back for dinner. The only one who got up was Mason, going quickly to his wife's side and taking Ian's cloak from her. Ian met Ilona's gaze for a moment before his face shifted back into the mask, hiding his emotions, and he left her to find their mother.
"Are you alright, Love?" Mason murmured, a hand moving to rest on her belly as his worried blue gaze swept over her.
"I'm alright," Ilona sighed, "but I have so much I need to tell you."
"Later," he said, kissing her forehead, "for now, I need you to help me get this disaster under control."
