An unexpected touch of love

AN: I'm utterly, utterly sorry that I had to actually put everything I do on Hiatus, but this time university REALLY had it in for me, dearies… I was under so much pressure to study that I couldn't even take a single look at my stories, even if I wanted to so badly. This had a nasty effect on my health as well, which didn't make things any easier… I have to admit that it was all worth it in the end. *proud smile*

But somehow, we survived all of this and I can reward all of us with the long-awaited seventh chapter. Let's lean back in celebration and go on with Miss Peregrine's puzzling love story…

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Miss Peregrine rang the doorbell, gritting her teeth against the pain shooting through her palm and hoping somebody would open the door quickly. She took deep breaths to support the weight, but she was glad to be finally home with her charges. This day had absolutely not gone how she had expected. Yet something deep inside her was happy about it too… Horace appeared by the open door, grinning softly. "Welcome home, Miss Peregrine. Here, let me help you with those bags.", he greeted her. "Thank you, darling. Carry them into the kitchen, please.", she sighed, relieved. "Oh Birds, what a day…", the ymbryne chuckled after the two had stowed away the last of her groceries. While Horace attentively brought her a glass of water, the boy noticed the thin bandages around her hands. "You're definitely right, Miss P. But what happened? To your hands? Don't worry, I won't tell anybody, this will stay between us.", he asked her.

She hesitated for a moment. On one side, she was giddy with excitement to tell somebody about her adventure, but on the other, she wasn't sure what kind of reaction that would provoke. "I fell down on the street in the morning and a friendly man saw me and patched me up with his first-aid kit.", she told him. Technically, this was what had happened, so it was not a lie entirely. The prophetic peculiar hung his head a little. He seemed to sense – no, to know – that this wasn't the whole truth, but he looked up at her with a serious look in his eyes and told her earnestly: "You have my back, Miss Peregrine, no matter what…" His headmistress seemed touched and really glad about it. "I appreciate it, child.", she thanked him, tenderly tucking a strand of Horace's hair behind his ear. Then she nodded to him one last time and went up the stairs to her room.

On her way, she decided to stop by the bathroom to refresh herself. Miss Peregrine looked into the mirror. Her face was still paler than usual and dust still coated her cheeks a little like some sort of dark blush. When she turned on the warm water to wash the dirt off her face, she noticed something that almost made her stomach do a somersault: Little blood trails flowed with the water down the sink into the drain. "Oh Bird…", she whispered, horrified. Quickly she checked her hands, but they weren't bleeding. So where did… The sudden realization froze her in place, her arms and legs tingling with shock. Before she had entered the bathroom, she had crossed Hugh's path. The boy hadn't bothered to greet or look up directly at her. He had thrown a glare, full of anger and hurt at the same time, at her before he had hurried into his own room. Hugh had been clutching his arm. Could it be? Could it really be that… Was it truly possible that her sweet boy was cutting himself? A wave of nausea hit her and she sat on the toilet seat to get her spinning head under control. She wouldn't lie, she was still angry and disappointed at him for attacking Dr Chet, but in the name of all ymbrynes, what mother was she to ignore such a danger?! How could she not have noticed that one of her children was harming himself?!

After she had fought down a wave of cold and vertigo, she found enough strength to get up and leave the bathroom. She would certainly talk to Hugh about it. She would get through to him and help him heal, she swore to the Birds! On her way to her room, she saw Bronwyn coming out of the playroom. When the girl saw her, she lit up like a star. Gasping "Miss Peregrine!", she ran towards her and buried her face in the stomach of her ymbryne. "Hello, dear Bronwyn...", Miss Peregrine whispered. How much she had worried about her darlings… Judging by their reactions, they had been equally scared for her. "I'm so, so happy you're back! Should I go and help with dinner? Can I, can I?", she chuckled, jumping up and down eagerly. "You can set the table if you want to.", Alma said softly. When the strong girl had hopped down the stairs, she sighed deeply and continued to her room, half hoping that she would not be interrupted once more.

But of course, fate would not have it – not with her. Passing Claire's room, her sharp ear heard the most terrifying, heart-wrenching sounds she could imagine: The desolate cries of her little girl. What had her absence caused?! Was Claire hurt, had fought with one of her brothers or sisters? Why was she never there when someone needed her most, the ymbryne thought with a pang of sadness. Ignoring the 'Don't disturb' sign, she pushed the door open. Curled up on her bed, crying from both of her mouths and her doll clutched tightly to her chest, laid Little Claire. Concerned, Miss Peregrine ran to her side and put a hand on the safe part of her head. Looking up, the little girl recognized her and let out a distressed howl: "MISS PEREGRINE!" Claire threw herself at her mother and sobbed: "You ABANDONED me! You left me alo-o-one! Please, don't… don't leave me again, ever…" Alma was shocked. Did her baby girl truly think she would ever abandon her? "Sshh… Don't worry, Claire, my love. I promise. I'll never leave you again. I promise.", she cooed while she rubbed soothing circles on her back.

When the blonde girl had calmed down enough to be left alone without losing it again, Miss Peregrine gave her a deep kiss on the forehead and exited the room, closing the door behind her. Two rooms away from hers were Emma's chambers. The ymbryne happily reached for the doorknob to enter and give her child a big hug and apologize for having been away for so long and that she had scared them… only to find the door locked. Dismayed, Alma stepped back. It was intriguing and sad at the same time. Emma usually never locked her door like that. Nevertheless, she quietly called out: "Honey, I'm back! I know you want to be alone right now, but dinner will be ready in an hour or so. Just- just so you know… I love you, Emma." Then she turned on her heels and hastily – at last! – entered her own little world.

She let herself fall onto her bed, rubbing her temples to help sort all of the memories of this hectic, chaotic day. So many confusing things had happened that the peculiar headmistress felt almost dizzy. "Well, Alma… You'll have plenty of time to think about it tonight. Now go and care for your poor children as you should…", she muttered to herself. She felt as if this situation was slipping through her fingers and she had to re-take control of it. A groan escaped her when she took a look at her dress. It was dirty from head to toe; dusty, with grass stains on the sleeves and skirt. Without hesitation, Miss Peregrine pulled down the zipper and slipped out of her dress.

There was a mirror hanging in front of her closet and Alma stopped to look at herself. The first thing that caught the eye was two bone spurs growing on her shoulder blades, the typical sign of ymbrynes or people with the capability of turning into birds. People like… The young woman closed her eyes, overwhelmed by emotions and memories and trailed her slender fingers over her arms. Scars were causing a disturbing pattern all over them. There were also quite a few covering her back and chest. Miss Peregrine gulped painfully and thought to herself: "What man could ever possibly desire a woman like me?! I look as if I just ran into a serial… killer…" Well, she actually had, in her defense… But she gritted her teeth and energetically opened her closet door. Now was not the time for such thoughts! She slipped into a clean dress, fixed a few loose strands in her hairdo and made her way into the kitchen to prepare dinner.

In the matter of an hour, M iss Peregrine had put together a delicious smelling dinner: Roasted potatoes with peas and grilled chicken breasts. Everything was fine, everyone was gathering around the table… except the atmosphere was prickling with a strange sort of discord. Claire and Emma were sitting away from their usual spots next to Bronwyn and Jake respectively, they were outright ignoring them. Olive and Enoch were the exact opposite, grins on their blushed faces and hugging each other by the waist. A floating cap told her that Millard was sitting close to Hugh, who was looking firmly down on his plate. The Twins barely touched their food either, not uttering a word.

The ymbryne swallowed. Her feelings met halfway between irritation and sadness. What in all the Birds' names had happened in their home while she had been away? What was going on in their children's heads? Why was she having the terrible feeling that something was slowly beginning to drive a wedge between them? And most importantly, what could she possibly do to make it better? So she put down her fork and used it to clang it against her wine glass a few times. The sound alerted the children's attention and soon eleven pairs of eyes were trained on her. Alma smiled tenderly and started speaking: "Children… first and foremost, I want to apologize to you for staying away for so long today. I imagine you were quite scared and I'm so, so sorry that I couldn't contact you, it completely passed me by… I- I hope you can forgive me. I won't leave you like that again, I promise." Emma didn't say anything nor looked at her directly, but her hand slightly reached in her direction. Her adoptive mother touched her fingertips, putting all of her love and warmth into her touch. Approving noises came from everyone at the table.

After they had finished a delicious raspberry pie for dessert, Miss Peregrine, as per usual, asked Horace to show them his dreams, to bring back a bit of the daily familiarity between her family. But to her surprise, this time Horace declined. He looked at her with shadows and regret in his eyes, claiming he was too exhausted to conjure up his peculiarity for them all. Although she was quite taken aback by this, Alma just gave Horace a hug and said: "I can imagine that today was a rough one for all of us. It's better to go to bed now. You'll see, tomorrow will be a much better day…" After a bit of complaining from the younger kids, their ymbryne bid them all goodnight and retreated into her own room, her heart strangely heavy.

When she closed the door, a sudden urge to cry invaded her. She quickly squeezed her eyes shut and pressed a hand over her mouth to not wake up the rest. "Deep breaths, Alma, deep breaths…", the young woman told herself. "A shower will surely calm those nerves…", she muttered. The ymbryne got out of her dress and climbed into the shower. The hot water ran over her, bringing her comfort and soothing her sore muscles, until she thought how the wounds on her hands would hopefully not leave blemishes. Once more she was painfully aware of the scars spreading over her body, all the scratches and cuts, both old and new. Memories of the man who had done this to her, her own brother, resurfaced in her. Every single touch of Caul had brought her devastating pain… Nothing more.

A dam was torn down inside her. With a whimper, Miss Peregrine sank to her knees and broke into tears. Anguished sobs wracked her trembling body as she hugged herself tightly. She always put up a brave face in front of her charges, but on the inside, she was still hurting profoundly because of her past. After crying bitterly for a good five minutes, she calmed down enough to cut off the water and climb out of the tub. Drying herself off quickly to not lose any body heat, she put on a long flowing nightgown and snuggled into her blankets. Exhausted both physically and emotionally, it didn't take long for the ymbryne to drift into a deep sleep.

END CHAPTER 7

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It's finally done! The walls of university stress, illness and writer's block have been torn down! The story goes on!

Once again, I can't emphasize enough that you're so wonderfully patient with me. It shows that my stories are popular enough to be worth waiting for. Thank you all! *throws kisses, flowers and cookies*

PS: I've got a pretty big announcement to make. On October 17th 2k18, I have finished my first novel. I've been writing on it for 7 years and I've finally brought this huge adventure's beginning to a close. The feelings are indescribable, guys… Feeling like a very, very proud mama is probably the most accurate description. I just want to share this immense joy with the world.

Yuna McHill