Beneath The Ashes - Chapter 9: Chapter 9

The car rolled to a stop in front of the house, and I couldn't stop the grin spreading across my face. Today had been... perfect. I practically bounced in my seat as Massimo killed the engine.
As soon as I climbed out, I stretched my arms over my head, feeling the afternoon sun warm my skin. Zayn hopped out behind me, dramatically sighing and stretching like we'd just run a marathon.
"Okay, Ivy, I think we officially own half the designer stores in the city." He shot me a wink. "We'll conquer the rest next time."
Massimo rolled his eyes, already pulling out his phone to check something, probably business. "Ivy, go ahead inside. We'll make sure the guards bring in the bags."
I hesitated. "Are you sure? I can help—"
"Ivy." Massimo's tone left no room for argument. "Go."
"Alright, alright." I held my hands up in surrender, giggling as I turned toward the house.
As soon as I stepped inside, I felt an odd warmth spreading in my chest. It wasn't home — not yet — but it was starting to feel less intimidating. The massive entryway echoed with the soft sound of my footsteps as I made my way to the living room.
I paused when I saw them.
Jaxon, Vale, and Declan were sprawled across the couches, each absorbed in their own world. Jaxon was leaning forward, elbows on his knees, flipping through some files with a scowl. Vale had his laptop balanced on one knee, fingers flying over the keyboard while he muttered to himself. Declan sat back quietly, sipping from a glass of water, his gaze flicking between his brothers and whatever papers were spread out on the coffee table.
They didn't notice me right away, and for a second, I just stood there, taking it all in. It felt... nice. Normal. Like walking into a room full of people who belonged to each other. My heart squeezed at the thought.
Without thinking, I skipped forward, the excitement bubbling over. "Guys!"
Three sets of eyes snapped to me, and I suddenly felt like a spotlight had been thrown my way. But I was too happy to stop now. I plopped down on the armrest of the couch, practically vibrating with energy.
"You won't believe what we did today," I started, words tumbling out before I could stop them. "Zayn took me to all these fancy stores, and Massimo was all broody and serious the whole time, but Zayn just kept piling clothes in my arms, and the guards had to carry everything back, and—oh! There was this one dress — I swear it looked like it belonged to a princess — but then Zayn tried to make me buy, like, ten of them." I rambled, breathless. "It was insane."
The room was silent.
I blinked, the realization hitting me like a freight train. Oh God. What was I doing? These guys barely knew me, and here I was, running my mouth like we were old friends. My face burned as I looked down at my hands, suddenly feeling incredibly awkward.
"Uh... sorry." I tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear, forcing a small, apologetic smile. "I didn't mean to just... blabber. I guess I was just excited and kinda... wanted to share it with someone." I shifted on my feet, glancing toward the hallway. "I'll, um... I'll just go to my room."
I turned, cheeks flaming, and made a beeline for the stairs.
Zayn's POV
Massimo and I stood quietly near the entryway, watching the whole thing unfold. Ivy had practically exploded into the room like a burst of sunshine, rattling off every detail of our shopping trip without a second thought.
I glanced at Massimo, smirking. "She's adorable."
Massimo just grunted. Typical.
But the second Ivy turned to leave, I caught the flicker of uncertainty in her eyes, and something twisted in my chest. I waited, curious to see what my brothers would do.
To my surprise, Declan spoke first.
"You bought ten dresses?" His deep voice was calm, unreadable, but I caught the slightest hint of amusement in his tone.
Ivy froze, halfway to the stairs. Slowly, she turned back, biting her lip. "Well... no. I mean, Zayn tried to make me, but Massimo stopped him."
"Damn right I did," Massimo muttered under his breath.
Jaxon scoffed, leaning back on the couch and crossing his arms. "Sounds about right. Zayn's never seen a credit card limit he didn't want to test."
"Hey!" I protested. "I was making sure our sister looked fabulous." I shot Ivy a wink, and her eyes widened slightly at the word 'sister.' I didn't miss the way her face lit up just a little.
Vale snorted from his spot on the couch, not even looking up from his laptop. "Bet you bought more stuff for yourself than her."
I gasped, clutching my chest dramatically. "How dare you."
Declan just shook his head, but I caught the corner of his mouth twitching. "You had fun, then?" he asked Ivy quietly.
She hesitated, eyes flicking between all of us, like she wasn't sure if this was some kind of trick. Finally, she nodded, a small, genuine smile creeping across her face. "Yeah. I really did."
Massimo shifted beside me, his voice low and steady. "Good."
Ivy looked at him, her smile growing. I felt something warm spread through my chest. Yeah... she belonged here.
And whether she knew it or not, we weren't letting her go.
Ivy's POV
I walked upstairs to change. The second I opened my bedroom door, I froze.
Sitting perfectly in the center of my neatly made bed was a sleek black box, the kind I'd only ever seen in commercials. My heart raced as I stepped closer, eyes widening when I saw the silver apple logo gleaming under the light. No way.
No freaking way.
I carefully picked up the box, my fingers trembling slightly. On top of it sat a small, folded note. I unfolded it, eyes scanning the neat handwriting.
For Ivy.
That's when it hit me. This wasn't just any iPhone. It was the newest model — the top-end version —
A squeal escaped my lips, high-pitched and loud enough to make me jump. It bounced off the walls, echoing through the room like a fire alarm.
Heavy footsteps thundered down the hall, and a second later, my door slammed open. Jaxon burst in first, eyes wild as he scanned the room, fists clenched. Massimo was right behind him, calm but alert, while Declan hovered quietly near the doorframe. Zayn slid in behind them, eyebrows raised, and even Vale stood at the back, eyes narrowed.
"What happened?" Jaxon demanded, eyes darting around. "Are you okay?"
I blinked at them, still clutching the phone box to my chest. "Look!" I thrust it out like it was a golden ticket. "Someone left this on my bed!"
They all stared at me. Silence stretched for a beat.
"Wait..." Zayn's eyes sharpened. "You screamed over a phone?"
"This is Not just any phone!" I grinned, holding it up proudly.
Massimo pinched the bridge of his nose. "Of course it is."
"Which one of you got it for me?" I looked around, eyes landing on each of them. "I mean... this is insane. Who would—"
Jaxon casually shoved Vale forward.
Vale scowled, glaring at Jaxon before crossing his arms over his chest. "I didn't do it."
"Oh really?" Jaxon drawled, leaning against the doorframe. "You weren't the one who insisted on getting her 'updated on technology'? You didn't spend half an hour picking the model and loading it up with every app she might need?"
I gasped, staring at Vale with wide eyes. "You... you really did this for me?"
Vale shifted awkwardly, glancing at the others before looking back at me. "Massimo told me to do it."
Jaxon shot him a warning look, but I ignored it, stepping closer to Vale with a bright smile. "Maybe Massimo told you to do it, but you're the one who made it happen. That's what matters." I hugged the box to my chest. "Thank you."
Vale looked like he wanted the floor to swallow him whole. He scratched the back of his neck, his gaze darting anywhere but at me. "It's not a big deal."
"It is a big deal." I clutched the phone tighter, my heart practically bursting. "This is the nicest thing anyone's ever done for me."
Jaxon coughed awkwardly. "Well, don't thank him too much. We also stocked your room with some essentials." He waved vaguely at the bathroom. "Toiletries. Hygiene stuff. Whatever."
My eyes widened. "Really?"
I blinked back the sudden sting in my eyes. "Thank you. All of you." My voice softened, barely a whisper.
Massimo huffed quietly. "Next time you get excited about something, just talk." He shot me a look. "Don't scream. I nearly had a heart attack."
I giggled, biting my lip. "I'll try."
"Good." He turned toward the hallway. "Come downstairs. Lunch is ready."
The boys filed out one by one, Zayn shooting me a playful wink, Vale still looking like he wanted to disappear.
Then they were gone, leaving me clutching my new phone and wondering what I ever did to deserve them.