Preparation

The golden evening light filtered gently through the curtains as the house buzzed with activity. Elena's laughter echoed softly from the kitchen, mixing with the clinks of utensils as she and Daniel worked side by side, preparing the much-awaited dinner. Miles, focused and precise, was laying out the plates and cutlery at the dining table, aligning them perfectly. Hope and Asher, with all the seriousness of a military operation, were fluffing and arranging the cushions on the living room sofa—occasionally tossing one at each other and erupting in giggles.

Just then, the doorbell rang.

Miles glanced at the clock—4:00 PM. "Who came so early?" he murmured, wiping his hands on a cloth.

But before he could reach the door, Hope had already dashed past. "I'll get it, big brooo!"

She flung the door open with a beaming smile. "Hello, big sister Celina!"