Chapter 89 - Old Home

They arrived at the home of Delaney's Aunt and Uncle and she was surprised by how excited she was to be there.

She had been taken away from her home and brought here when she was young. Until her father died, she had kept up the hope that she would be able to go home again and so she'd been careful not to let herself see this place as home. Delaney always thought if she had accepted this place right from the start maybe things would have been different.

Uncle Felix and Aunt Flora came hurrying out to meet them when they arrived. Flora threw her arms around her niece and held her tight, tears of joy slipping over her wrinkled cheeks. Uncle Felix shook Vincent's hand, both very stiff and formal. Delaney knew her husband held no ill will towards her uncle but that didn't mean he'd forgotten everything Felix had said about why she shouldn't have had to marry him.

Felix was quick to take Delaney in his arms the minute Flora let go. He hugged her close and dashed tears from his face as well as he worked to clear his throat. Flora only curtsied to Vincent, not eager to touch him it seemed.

Uncle Felix took Delaney on his arm and led her inside, excitedly going over all of her favorite meals the cook would be preparing for them. Her Aunt was also quick to assure her that her old bedroom had been made ready for them, leaving everything just how she liked it.

Delaney laughed happily as they went on with all the plans they'd made for her visit. She glanced over her shoulder at Vincent who followed a few steps back from them. His green eyes were warm as he watched his wife so happy with her family that clearly loved dearly

They went to the sitting room where tea and cakes were waiting. Uncle Felix watched Vincent closely as he walked in, limping very obviously now. Delaney knew her husband needed to sit but she also knew he would never embarrass himself by doing so. She looked at him with worry as she took her seat on the couch across from her Aunt.

Vincent took the cup of tea that was handed to him before stepping back and resting his hand on the back of the couch behind where his wife was sitting. When Delaney turned to smile up at him she saw his hand wasn't actually resting there but was gripping the wooden frame, his knuckles white.

When her worried eyes met his, he quickly gave a little shake of his head, signaling her not to react. She swallowed and turned back to her Aunt. She forced her expression to return to a happy one.

"We were so excited when we got word yesterday that you were coming," Flora smiled at her niece, "We've missed you."

"I was looking forward to visiting you," Delaney smiled back, "This was a perfect time."

Flora glanced up at Vincent then, looking embarrassed, "We're very happy to be able to have you visit us as well your grace."

Vincent smiled warmly at the woman, "Please call me Vincent. We're family now after all."

Flora gave a hesitant smile before looking anxiously at her husband.

"Ah well then Vincent," Uncle Felix cleared his throat and forced a smile, his mustache raising, "How has married life been treating you?"

Delaney stiffened with that question, knowing there was probably much more behind it. She turned and looked up at Vincent and found him smiling mischievously at the older man.

"You know your niece," he answered cooly, "She can be a challenge but her loving you is worth all the work."

His green eyes met hers then and she smiled up at him. He let go of the couch to lightly tap the tip of her nose playfully. Delaney caught his hand and pressed a quick kiss to the back of it.

When they turned to look back at her Aunt and Uncle, they found Flora looked shocked and Felix looked suspicious.

"Well uh, Delaney," Felix looked down at her then, "Your Aunt says the two of you will be going to see Selina and Duncan tomorrow. Is that right? Was she excited to hear you were coming?"

"Oh I didn't tell her," Delaney grinned at her Uncle, eyes sparkling, "I thought I would surprise her. I know she'll be happy to see me."

"You didn't tell them we were going to visit?" Vincent asked from behind her with a worried frown.

"Well no" Delaney answered, confused by his reaction, "I wanted to surprise her."

"Honey maybe you should just send her a message and let her know you're here," her Aunt Flora suggested, "Tell her you want to visit and make sure she and Duncan are available."

Delaney frowned, "But then it wouldn't be a surprise."

Flora again looked up at her husband with uncertainty. Felix too looked like he wanted to say something.

"They're probably right love," Vincent tried, "Selina might appreciate knowing we're coming so she can be... prepared."

Delaney looked at each of the other people in the room in confusion. Why were they acting strange?

"Selina's been my friend my whole life," Delaney protested, "She likes sweet surprises."

"You're not children anymore though," Felix countered, "You're both grown up and married and she might not be so happy by you showing up unannounced as she might once have been."

"What are you all talking about? Why not? What's changed besides us being married?"

They were silent but Felix and Flora looked hesitantly behind Delaney. When she turned to look at her husband she found him looking away. Suddenly realization dawned on her.

"You think I should let her know we're coming because I'll be with Vincent? She was only ever against him because I thought I was. She's just a loyal friend. Once she sees we're happy together she'll be happy too."

Her Aunt and Uncle looked at one another and seemed to give up.

"I'm sure you're right honey," Aunt Flora said sweetly then, "I'm sure Selina will be happy to see her best friend."

Delaney frowned at her, knowing she didn't mean it.

"Let's just not talk about it," she sighed, not wanting to argue with them when she'd only just gotten here, "They should have our trunks in by now so if it's alright with the two of you, Vincent and I will go change and rest a bit before dinner."

"That's a good idea. You both look tired," Uncle Felix smiled and held out his hand to help Flora from her seat.

Delaney took Vincent's hand and let him help her up as well. They excused themselves and left the room. Vincent was already limping and when Delaney saw the tall flight of wooden stairs before them she bit her lip in worry.

"I'll be fine," he said quietly as if reading her mind.

Watching him walk up the stairs with determination despite the pain, Delaney was reminded of the day they got to Edgewood after their wedding. At least he wasn't quite as exhausted now as he'd been then.

When they walked into her room they found Harris and Ms. Bird there unpacking some of their things and waiting to help them change.

"Leave us," Vincent said sharply when he saw them, "We'll send for you when we need you."

Ms. Bird looked startled but hurried to do as he said. Harris hesitated as he saw his friend struggling towards the bed. Delaney caught his eye though and gave a quick shake of her head. He swallowed and nodded before leaving the room and closing the door behind him.

When they were gone, Delaney hurried to pull off his shirt. Vincent dropped onto the edge of the bed kicked off his boots. He winced and a groan escaped him as he eased his legs up onto the bed until he was sitting propped up against the pillows.

"Come here," he said quietly to Delaney and she did so. He turned her around and reached up to untie the corsetted back of her dress and help her out of it. From there, she undressed until she was down to just her underdress. She washed her face and freshened up before crawling into the bed next to her husband.

"I'm sorry you're in so much pain," she whispered, sitting cross-legged to face him and taking his hand into her lap.

"It's not as bad as it looks," he said, forcing a smile to his lips, "Taking that break and only traveling this far definitely helped make it much better. I just need to lay back for a little while and let my leg rest."

Delaney looked at him worriedly despite his assurances. Biting her lip, she looked at his scars which were now an angry red from the exertion. Vincent turned to look at her and chuckled then, a genuine smile coming to his face.

"Don't worry love," he reached up and took her cheek in his hand, "I'm alright. I promise. I'll even be well enough to work on starting a family with you again tonight."

Delaney blushed but giggled at his teasing, "It's still very hot here."

"It is," he agreed with sparkling eyes, "But I bet we could make it quick."

"Oh how romantic," Delaney said sarcastically before she laughed out loud and he laughed with her. Vincent pulled her down against his chest and kissed her.

"I don't think your Aunt and Uncle are thrilled to see me," he said after a while.

"I think they're just worried about me," Delaney sighed, "I think the more they see that we're happy together, the more they will relax and be able to warm up to you."

Vincent nodded in agreement, "I'm sure you're right."

"And Selina will be fine too you know," she looked at him seriously, "I know all of you think she's going to be upset and hate you but she won't be. Once I tell her how much I love you she will be so happy for us."

Vincent sighed, "I'm not sure you're right about that my love."

"I am," Delaney argued, "You're just going to have to trust me."

"Alright," he gave in, "We'll see what happens tomorrow."