Her pace down the long corridor to the lobby was deliberately slow, and despite trying to give herself the time to readjust, Regan still felt dazed when she stepped out into the posh sitting area, really no more noisy than the entry wing had been. Motion in her field of vision drew her focus to Gwen, Tess half-asleep on her shoulder, rising and moving to meet her.

She understood what people meant by feeling 'shaken', now, as though some great hand really had lifted her from her feet and yanked her about until her teeth rattled. Her fingers weren't quite steady as she reached for Gwen, tucking herself against the side that Tess wasn't occupying, just for a moment.

Regan's presence roused Tess, who frowned at the blotches on her siss' usually-perfect face. "What wrong?" she asked in concern, reaching out to pat one cheek with her little hand. "Brother Triss'n not sick no more. Why sad? Why cryin'?"

Choking on a laugh, not knowing where to begin dissecting Tess' unique form of logic, Regan simply held her arms out and let the little girl slide into them, cuddling her close. "I'm... I don't know what I am, sweetheart, I'm just crying," she tried to explain, her voice squeaking in places.

She didn't want to break down in front of the receptionist, and looked to Gwen beseechingly. "Can we go home now, please?"

"Yes, of course." An arm was already resting around Regan's shoulders and Gwen led them to the Apparation point. Side-along had never been difficult for her and it wasn't more than a moment's thought that brought them home to White Chapel.

It'd been afternoon when Gwen had gone to visit Tristan in the first place and by the time they arrived in Leeds, shadows loomed large in the darkened home. Her gaze went upward; she could hear the soft notes of piano from the small gallery she'd turned into a sitting room near her suite of rooms.

Jonathan was home, then, and he would know she had arrived. The music didn't stutter though, and she was grateful for the reprieve for just a while longer. She needed to tell him, but with Regan rapidly disintegrating next to her, shoulders already starting to shake and worry wafting from Tess, the first priority was to help her girls.

The library was just off to the right and Gwen led them there, wand out to light the candles and a fire in the grate even as she helped Regan to settle on the sofa. Sitting next to her, a hand came up, around Tess' little frame and cupped Regan's cheek, thumb brushing the tear that had escaped. "It's all right to cry, my heart," she murmured, dark eyes intent on her.

She'd been crying... she'd been crying for Tristan for a year, in fact, and it hadn't changed a thing, and would not change this, but Regan cried regardless, because she couldn't not. Some of it was simple shock, and she was part elated, part crushed, and part frightened for what the future would hold, but as always, it came out the same, and flowed and dripped down her face, quietly this time, to dampen her for now and eventually disappear.

With Tess still trapped in her embrace, a passive, sentient cuddle-toy, Regan tipped them both aside to curl into Gwen's arms, laying her head at her sister's shoulder. Gwen had done this for herself, no doubt, and then come back to collect them, but through much trial and heartache, Regan had realized she was not Gwen, nor anything like her in this regard, and she would take the comfort granted her so freely, for she would feel better for it.

"You rainin' on me," Tess piped softly, squirming to tuck herself a bit out of the way, though she didn't try to leave Regan's lap. "I stay, though. Dry later." She didn't understand why her siss was sad; normally when someone got better, their people were happy, but Regan didn't always do feeling-things quite right anyway, she thought, and Tess loved her despite. Maybe love meant getting cried on, sometimes.

Finding a tiny smile for the feyling in her arms, Regan pressed a damp kiss to the little girl's temple. Tess meant well, and she adored the imp for it.

There were many moments Gwen's heart had swelled at having Tess near, with her. It was a new thing, this feeling for someone else besides Regan, besides Tristan once upon a time, and her brothers. Now there was Tess, and Jonathan too, and Gwen's heart ached for having them, ached wonderfully. It was the love she had always tried to keep away from herself, for the loss of it was the most terrible thing she'd ever experienced, whether by circumstance or choice. Loss of those you loved was the worst the world could offer.

But it was the best it could give, too, and Gwen was glad it'd found her despite running away from it for most of her life.

She held them both as close as she could, wrapped as much around the two dearest to her as she was able. "I love you, both of you," she murmured into Regan's hair before pressing a kiss to the blonde tresses.

She'd said it to Tess only hours prior, but at times like this Gwen knew it could never be said enough.

"And I, you," Regan returned, her voice not what it should be, but intelligible enough for the present. It was still odd, at times, to not be Gwen's only 'little one', and though there were moments she wished more of her sister's attention for herself, as things had been, it was right that Tess be there, and that Gwen should love her just as fiercely. She shifted Tess to snuggle between them, laughing weakly when the girl began to burrow.

What would come with Tristan's awareness would come; life just did that, and even Gwen could not shield her, nor should she. Her lessons were many, and seemingly all hard-won, but surely the path would come right in the end.

It wasn't until she registered silence that she remembered there had been piano before, and her eyes flicked to the door of the library in time to see a now-familiar silhouette there. Giving Tess another squeeze, she nudged the child into Gwen's lap, extricating herself from their combined embrace on the whim of a thought that tugged at her.

Jonathan had heard the trio arrive back home, and had been waiting to hear Tess' quick feet flying up the stairs toward her room. When he didn't hear them, or anyone else, he'd gone to investigate. His dark eyes flicked between the three ladies, sensing the emotions on the air before he'd even seen their faces.

He was trying not to intrude, she could tell, but he was a step far enough into the room for her to read concern in his features, and that was what pulled her to her feet, indecision pushed aside. It was only a few paces to where he stood, and Regan was there suddenly, or it felt sudden, her eyes fixed on his. There was a tiny, not-entirely-friendly pleasure in confusing him, but that was not why she'd put herself in his space, and her gaze tracked the careworn landscape of his face for a long, quiet while.

This man was not what she wanted for Gwen; had never been, and would never be to her what her brother was, but he was there, and had been there, over many rocky days and a few smooth ones. She wasn't sure what that meant for her, yet, but it was something, and without warning, she wrapped her arms around his middle and held on.

When Regan latched on to him, squeezing, his eyes had immediately gone to Gwen over the top of the blonde's head, even as his arms reached up to return Regan's hold. His hand smoothed over Regan's soft hair, confusion on his features as he dropped Gwen's gaze and looked down at the top of Regan's head, eyebrows knitting together in concern.

It was the first time Regan had voluntarily touched him since he'd begun spending so much time at White Chapel, and the fact that her shoulders were still shaking slightly worried him. What had happened that made her so... vulnerable? He didn't like it, at all, and his eyes looked back up to Gwen for some sort of answer.

Gwen just blinked, her whole body still. Tess was shifting uncomfortably, not sure what was going on, but Gwen didn't move; what she was waiting for, she didn't know. Perhaps it was just the shock of the moment compounded over the shocks of the day.

A part of her wanted to be hesitantly happy for this moment - she'd hoped that Regan might accept Jonathan at some point - but the actuality of it left her wary and waiting, dark eyes still blinking slightly.

He let go, mostly, when she made to pull away, and Regan moved part of a step back, but didn't retreat entirely. His hand still rested on her shoulder, and that was... not cozy, but acceptable. She turned her face upward again, aware that there were still tears escaping at slower, but regular, intervals, and distantly that she'd never allowed him to see her cry, before.

She'd not risen with an idea of what to say to him, if anything, but seeing his face again and noting worry - for her? - required words. "I'm... glad that you're here," she offered carefully, the sentiment the truest she could find to give, just then.

"I'm not glad of why," she clarified, "I still wish I'd never met you... but that isn't your fault... and neither of us can mend it." Turning back to glance at Gwen and Tess, both looking perturbed, she added, "I'm glad that you're here for them."

Her eyes found Jonathan's once more, and Regan stepped out from under his hand, stopping in the door to scan the room. "I'll be upstairs," she supplied, and proceeded to make it so.

Her words had been as shocking as the physical contact, though he'd had a feeling, ever since Gwen had told him about Tristan and that he was the connection between her and the young blonde, that she wasn't particularly happy that he'd filled the spot that had previously been her brother's.

That she said it aloud, though, truth and honesty in her moss green eyes, was what had him blinking at her retreating form. Jonathan had grown up in a world where no one spoke the truth, no one let you see them at a vulnerable time, made you believe they had no vulnerabilities, no weaknesses. Gwen and he moved in those circles still today, her moreso because he attempted to keep as much distance as possible between himself and that world.

However, it was still concerning that she was crying, that something had happened to make her speak the truth as she had. She didn't like that she knew him, but didn't blame him and was glad he was there. It was, he knew, quite possibly the best he could ever hope for, realizing what she thought Gwen and her brother would have had.

"If you need anything," he said, still standing in the place she'd left him, body facing Gwen and Tess, but dark eyes focused on Regan. He didn't like the idea of her being alone, but understood why she wanted to be.

His offer stilled her step, briefly, and Regan's eyes narrowed, a scowl setting her mouth. Much as she tried, even now, her primary urge was to try to scrape him off, wherever his presence clung to her. The feeling was sticky, and prickly, and she loathed sticky things.

Clearing her face, she exhaled the breath she'd held in tension, and nodded with what she hoped passed for reasonable grace, then slid past the door frame to make her escape.

Gwen was still unsure and wary of what had just transpired, but gathering Tess close, she stood and crossed the floor towards Jonathan. Her dark eyes stared after Regan for long moments, and she wondered what, exactly, had prompted the sudden goodwill towards her lover's presence in their home.

The day had been trying and it was a testament to Regan and how far she'd come, how well she was handling it, but Gwen couldn't think of what might have prompted her blond near-sister to such actions. They had not had a chance to speak of the day's events though, only emote.

Breathing out her nose, Gwen turned her gaze to Jonathan. He looked confused - likely for many reasons, several she needed to illuminate. Shifting Tess to one arm on her hip, Gwen closed the small distance between them to press a light kiss to his cheek, then his lips. "Hello, love."

Arm raising to rest at Tess' back, Jonathan gave Gwen a small smile before it brightened as he looked at Tess. "Teddy missed you while you were gone. He's up on your bed right now, waiting for you."

This meant it was time for more grownups talking without her there, Tess realized, but she liked Teddy, and thought she might go find Regan again in a little while. Her siss was good for cuddles, even when she was sad, and it seemed like a cuddling kind of day, all around.

Nodding, Tess held her arms out to Jonathan. "I have snuggle, then go 'way?" she requested.

Pulling Tess from Gwen's grasp, he cradled the tiny girl against his chest, squeezing her with his arms. Jonathan hadn't been used to as much physical contact as Tess seemed to like, but he enjoyed the nightly 'snuggle' that she required before bed. "You don't need to go away. I'll be up to read you a story later, if you want."

"'Kay!" Tess agreed readily, wriggling to be put down. "I pick book." The J-man was pretty good for stories. Not quite like laying with Mummy to read, but he did voices, and was good for jumping on.

"You're on," Jonathan said, setting her down. "We'll be up in a little bit."

With a tackle-hug to her Mummy's leg, Tess scampered off up the stairs. It was all right to go play by herself, here... Mummy or J-man would come find her soon, and she would have Teddy and her new china baby for company.

He waited until he was sure Tess was out of earshot before turning to Gwen. He wanted to ask her what was wrong, why Regan had been crying, but it was obvious in the look in Gwen's eyes that she was tired and upset too, though she'd been holding it closely and carefully.

"Do you want a drink?" he asked, looking at her with concern.

She thought about the question, the offer, seriously for several moments before shaking her head slightly.

It was entirely unceremonious, but after the day she'd had, Gwen moved into his space and slipped her arms around his waist, buried her face in his neck, because it was the only thing she really wanted to do that moment.

Regan's words drifted through her mind, and as odd as it was to hear it from her near-sister's lips, Gwen found that she agreed entirely with her.

"I'm glad you're here," she murmured as she turned slightly to press her lips to his skin.

Arms wrapping around her shoulders, chin resting on the top of her head, Jonathan was glad she couldn't see the frown on his face. Perhaps the first time anyone - let alone two people - had said they were glad he was there, and he was wishing whatever had been the catalyst hadn't happened, simply because it meant they were upset and needed him to be there.

"No where else I'd be," he said against her hair, lips pressing to the crown of her head a second later.

And for that, she pressed another kiss to his neck before pulling back to see his face. She didn't try to hide anything then, didn't try to keep herself together and strong as she had all day and again, despite herself, moisture filled her eyes.

She'd cried already, had thought she'd gotten it all out, but it was still there. She was tired and overwhelmed and still a little bit shocked.

"He woke up," she whispered.

Confusion flashed over his features as he watched the tears well in her eyes. Lifting a hand, his thumb brushed away a droplet as it slipped from the edge of her eye and started down her cheek. He knew it was a shock, so rarely were people who went to Waverly ever seen outside its walls again, but he'd assumed this was what they'd been hoping for. "Isn't this a good thing?"

"It is." She swallowed, tears coming faster now. "It's wonderful. It's just... overwhelming. So much has happened..." So much had happened, so much that Jonathan didn't know yet. "... and ..." It was so unlike her to be at a loss for words and frustration was added to the cocktail. "... it's just been a long day."

Pulling her to him again, Jonathan nodded, running a hand down the length of her hair, holding her close. He wasn't sure what he could say to her, so instead he asked, "what can I do?"

Gwen breathed him in, was thankful for his presence. "Just.. just hold me," she whispered as tears continued to wet her cheeks. Lids fluttering shut, she let out a shaky breath. "Then we can go read to Tess."

He nodded, resting his chin on the top of her head as he squeezed her tighter. "I can do that."


SUMMARY: Gwen brings Regan and Tess home from Waverly and they meet up with Jonathan at White Chapel.