#wtswevent7

With a smile and a thank you, Emily took her bag from the footman as the carriage rode off. the London air was brisk, as it always was in the winter, and having just left Alicante where the weather had been far more pleasant one would think Consul Emily Penhallow would find it unfortunate to find herself anywhere else. Although, it was quite on the contrary, really -- it was with a bright smile on her lips she felt the occasional snowflake kiss her cheek as she walked up to the front steps of the manor. Her home, where her husband and children whom she had not seen for nearly a month awaited.

It had always been quite difficult for her when the time came to leave, and she had always worried that it was doing the children injustice to have to part from their mother that often. More so at first, when Nate had only been a little child and the girls only babies, hearing their cries as she left which always brough her running back. But when they were reunited it was always that much sweeter. As they grew older, Emily knew that the older siblings understood why it had to be. Her work as Consul was important and as any loyal Shadowhunter, she had since the day of her birth dedicated her life to the service of the Clave. But she had married a Lychanthrope, and residing in Alicante had never been an option. She had wanted to give her children as stable an upbringing as possible, and that meant that they would have a constant home with family to care for them. Their father and grandparents were true saviours. Emily never once felt as if she was doing her children horrible harm by leaving them in their very capable hands. Although, she knew that her absence had done harm in the case of her youngest, which broke her heart. All she could wish for was that some day, Rachael would understand and forgive her.

"Is anyone home," she called out as she closed the front door behind her, dusting off her coat before removing her gloves. It was only a matter of time before she heard the sound of a child running, and she bent down -- knowing who was always the quickest to greet her.

"Mama!" Young Ella came running towards her with the brghtest of smiles on her face. Emily caught her with open arms, closing in around her eldest daughter in an embrace as she kissed her cheek.

"Ella, love! by the Angel, you have grown so much..." She lovingly brushed her fingers through her daughter's hair as she closed her eyes, always feeling frightfully sentimental when she thought of how much of them growing up she missed inbetween her times away.

Young Rachel had once again left her father's side as they had been walking through the streets of London, running through and disappearing in the crowd as she had once again given in to her own imagination. The street was an enchanted forest of people, and she, a warrior princess. Just like Genevieve Highsmith. Some day, she wanted to be that strong, and fast, and she was certain she would be. She trained with her brother nearly every day, after all.

Rachael Jillian Penhallow -- daughter of Jonathan Rochester and Emily Penhallow.

It was during the harsh winter of 1888 Emily and Jonathan were blessed with a second daughter. The little girl had arrived early, and was therefore very small but strong even so. As she grew, her parents came to learn that the little girl -- to whom they gave the name Rachael -- always seemed to be in a hurry wherever she went; trying to run when she could barely walk, trying to keep up with her older siblings, or begging to take on larger musical pieces when she had only just learnt to play scales. Rachael was always very happy and full of energy which she gladly spread from morning to evening as she ran around the manor. Her bright and cheerful attitude always charmed her relatives, and her vivid imagination continued to grow even greater.

One would think the happiest child in the household could not wish for much more. Rachael's only desire as a little girl had, however, been to have her mother present in the home more often. But in spite of the fact that Consul Emily Penhallow was determined to spend her time wisely even though she travelled back and forth often, she spent long periods of time away from her family early on in Rachael's young life. It did not matter that she tried to make up for it later on, for it was already evident that the girl cared much more for her father.