"I'll love you forever," she whispered.

"Still not long enough." He collapsed to one side and pulled her close.

Before sleep claimed her, she realized that she had finally come home.

*****

Rheia and Colton were the last to arrive for breakfast. They'd just sat down when they heard a knock at the door. Rheia looked at Colton; no one coming to visit this early in the morning could be for anything good.

Her instincts proved correct when a tall, older version of Aiden appeared in the doorway. His eyes were sorrowful as he looked over to where she sat with Penny and Colton.

"Father?" Aiden asked, standing.

"Byron?" Colton also stood, moving his body between the newcomer and where she sat with their daughter.

"I'm so sorry, Colton, but the council has awarded Wilomina and Gerard Carmichael custody of Penny. I'm to escort her to their home first thing this morning."

Rheia's heart stuttered in her chest. Penny turned to her, fear in her eyes. Rheia had a seconds to make the decision that would best help Penny adjust to her new family. If she gave in to her feelings and wept as she wanted to, she knew that it would only traumatize Penny further. Drawing on strength she didn't know she had, she put on a brave face.

"Looks like you get to meet your Grandma and Grandpa sooner than we thought. I bet they can tell you all kinds of stories about your Mommy. Won't that be amazing?" She tried as hard as she could to put enthusiasm in her voice.

When she looked up, she could see the battle being fought behind Colton's eyes. After taking a deep breath, he smiled down at Penny, too. "I bet they even have pictures of your Mommy and will show you where she grew up." Even though his voice was even, his eyes glowed a bright yellow. Penny looked between the two of them, fear fading from her eyes a bit.

Rheia turned Penny around to face Byron. "Do you see that man? That is your Uncle Aiden's daddy. He's going to do us a favor and drop you off at your Grandma and Grandpa's so you can meet them. He's not too scary, right?" she asked.

Penny looked from Byron to Aiden and shook her head grinning. She pointed to Aiden and wrapped her arms around chest, giving herself a hug.

Rheia nodded. "That's right, he's probably a big ole softie just like your Uncle," she said, smiling. "You will be visiting your Grandma and Grandpa for a bit, while your Papa and I get this legal mumbo jumbo worked out. Run get your backpack, darling." Penny hopped down and ran for the family room. She looked over to Ryuu. "Could you get her suitcase from our room?"

Ryuu bowed. "Of course."

Rheia concentrated on breathing in and out. Colton's hand found hers and they clung to each other as they waited for Penny to return. They heard her quick footsteps as she ran back into the room. Rheia scooped her up and started walking towards the door.

Every step she took, every step that brought them closer to the door, she started to feel her control slip. Her soul was disintegrating within her chest. Before she was ready, they were at the door. Byron stood patiently; he made no move to take Penny from her arms.

Ryuu walked down the stairs and handed Byron Penny's suitcase. Rheia clung to her daughter, physically unable to let her go. She repeatedly kissed the top of her head, squeezing her tight. Over Penny's head, her eyes met Colton's. Silently she begged him to do what she couldn't. Without saying a word he reached out and took Penny from her. Immediately her body protested the loss.

"You be a good girl, and if you need anything, anything at all, you call us okay. Day or night, it doesn't matter?" Colton nuzzled her cheek with his nose and kissed her forehead.

"Have fun visiting. Felix says he wants to go with you. He needs a break from all the boring stuff here." Meryn said, her eyes moist.

"Your Uncles Sascha and Quinn and the Beta Unit will be watching out for you at your grandparent's house. You can go to them if you need anything, too." Aiden said reaching forward to ruffle her hair.

Colton turned and passed Penny to Byron. "We will be appealing this," he said his voice sounding deadly.

Byron nodded. "I expected no less and have already started the paperwork. But until then, Penny can get a good visit in, right princess?" Byron bounced Penny and the little girl grabbed on to his collar to stay upright, smiling.

"I love you, Penny. You be a good girl, my Pumpkin Dumpling. We'll see you very, very soon," Rheia promised.

"Love you, angel." Colton said, and tugged Penny's hair lightly. Penny waved at everyone and Byron left closing the door behind him.

Rheia clutched at her chest and bent over gasping for breath.

Colton was at side, holding her close. "Hold it in for just a few more seconds, my love, until she's in the car." Colton rubbed her back.

Rheia struggled to breathe. Only when she heard the car leave the driveway did she give in to her body's demands. She wailed, gut wrenching sobs that shook her body as she collapsed forward. Colton easily caught her and pulled her close, letting her sag against his body, taking on her weight.

"We'll get her back. I swear it to you, we'll get her back." Colton repeated over and over again.

Rheia couldn't think; all she knew was that her heart had been ripped from her chest. Even though she hadn't given birth to Penny, that tiny child was her daughter, in every way that mattered.

"I want her back, please bring her back," she begged looking up into Colton's face. The pain she saw there made her realize how unfair she was being. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean it," she whispered. Colton pulled her close and rested his forehead on her shoulder. Slowly her sobs turned into a stream of silent tears.