“Aye, Mabel… I think I’ve been a fool,” he admitted, voice low and rough.
He ran a hand through his hair, looking out the window at the frost-kissed courtyard.
“I’ve spent days broodin’, fearin’ meself, thinkin’ of the monster,” he said, turning to her, eyes shining with something close to desperation. “I love Isabelle… I want her near me. I want heirs with her, and I want to raise the triplets alongside her. I’ve been a blind fool, aye.”
Mabel’s eyes softened, and she stepped closer, placing a firm hand on his arm.
“Ye’ve nae been blind, Declan… only afraid,” she said gently. “But the Lord sees hearts, not fears. And yer heart… it’s full of love, more than ye ken.”
Declan exhaled shakily, feeling a stirring of hope in his chest that he hadn’t dared to feel in years.
She stepped forward, wrapping him in a firm embrace, murmuring words of comfort.
“I saw Isabelle wandering the castle,” Mabel said, her tone quiet. “Go find her and tell her how ye feel.”
Declan stiffened slightly, but a small, almost reluctant smile tugged at his lips, and he felt a newfound resolve ignite in his chest.
He left his study to look for Isabelle. He stepped into the nursery.
The triplets, Penelope, Beth, and Hallie, spotted him at once, squealing with delight as they ran into his arms.
“Da!” they shouted in unison, their little arms wrapping tightly around him. Declan laughed, feeling warmth, lifting them gently as they squirmed with excitement.
“Look, Da! We’ve made it all pretty for Yule!” Penelope exclaimed, pointing to the ribbons and holly wreaths strung about the room.
Beth tugged at his sleeve, holding up a garland she’d twisted herself.
“See? And we put the candles over there, and Bren helped too!” Hallie added, her cheeks flushed with pride.
Declan smiled widely, his eyes softening as he took in the bright, festive chaos that filled the nursery.
The triplets looked up at him with wide eyes, a sudden question forming on their lips.
“Da… where’s Lady Isabelle? Have ye seen her?” Penelope asked hesitantly, tilting her head.
Declan felt a pang in his chest, the ache of their longing echoing his own.
“I came to the nursery lookin’ for her,” he said gently, lowering them to the floor.”
Bren stepped forward, nodding respectfully. “She’s nae been here this mornin’, me Laird ,” she said quietly.
Declan’s jaw tightened, a rush of determination settling over him. “Then it’s high time I went to find her meself,” he muttered under his breath, his gaze sweeping the cheerful room.
Penelope hesitated, then spoke again, her voice small and hopeful.
“Da… can we… can we call Lady Isabelle our maither ? We dinnae ken if it’s alright with ye.”
Declan felt his heart drop to his stomach, a joy spreading through him that made him catch his breath.
“Aye, ye can, lass. I’d like that very much,” he said softly, kneeling to meet their eager faces. “And Lady Isabelle would be glad as well, I’m sure.”
Beth clapped her hands in delight while Hallie’s eyes sparkled with excitement.
“Can we really, Da?” she asked, bouncing slightly on her feet.
“Aye, ye really can,” Declan assured them, a rare, tender smile lighting his face. “Ye’ll have her love just as much as she has yers.”
The triplets hugged each other in a circle, chattering excitedly about the idea of calling Isabelle their mother.
