Thomas had returned home as soon as he had been able, for the safety of his only living child and wife was all that mattered if one was to think further on the troubles that came from Florentine waters. If only he knew of the Cromwells and their rising tempers, then perhaps Thomas would’ve instead called his family to the Holy Roman Empire or Spain, where there were acquaintances that could be thus used as safe harbours. But, no, he had been blindsided by the news from home only due to the fact that Walsingham had thought that nothing would happen, that when he had left there had been no news of his old Masters clad in black, nor had he even come to think of anything other than the looming threat of the real, breathing illegitimate son of King Henry VIII.
Though perhaps James or even Julian enjoyed the welcome home, Thomas kept himself to the shadows and back passages, his pace quickened upon seeing the known hallway that had since become the quarters kept to himself and his family. Breaking through the door, he met his daughter — his hands clasped against her sweet face as he kissed her brow and cussed with relief. She was safe, Cecily Walsingham was safe. With a breath, he held her close to the repulsion of his only child, who had since grown to find her father only a suffocation to her growth. But, she proclaimed that she had missed him, and that her mother waited for him behind their walls.
With one last kiss, he strayed, removing his travelling cloak and heavy leather gloves in the process, the items dropped to the floor in a rushed fashion before pushing the door open to reveal his ever patient love. In a frantic dash he carved his arms around her, embracing her against him in one lunge — a gasp then passing by his stubborn lips, his brow falling against hers. “Sweetling, you are here… God, how I have missed you,” he then sighed, passing his mouth over her own, before a quick release. “What have I missed? How has Elizabeth fared? No, you must have your trunks packed, we must make haste to somewhere of the utmost safety. I shan’t risk you or Cecily in a fault of my own.”
@pcppyy