ext m

ore the mirror. His reflection stared back

is," he muttered q

steadied, though the tension beneat

cannot even pronounce properly?' He wonder

e began

lit up with

exhaled an

l voice came through. "Did yo

ryly. "I spent half the night attempting to master her

tly. "What is h

d. "Mi... no. Ma

and found the small sheet of

t last, exhaling sl

gning annoyance, and although he didn'

eed to shower. She could arrive at any moment, and Grandpa expects m

ng. "I only called to say I love you. Once

xpression har

ithout my permission," he sai

e you,

he replied befor

hanged into a fitted grey

eft his room and made hi

eading a message on his phone. A wide,

eside him and reached for

n such high spirits

"Her flight has landed. He is

arly choked

ck. "Steady, boy. Are

after a moment, r

et her?" Leonard asked,

ian replied evenly. "Nat

e rest of the

ved with

r husband, Dan Matthew

and their adopted eig

"Is this a family summit? Why

re my granddaughter-in-law arrives,"

ian corrected smoothly. "

im a knowing l

ddressed

ll be no raised voices, no profanities, and no unnecessary hos

ed pointedly t

you will refra

gh. "Is she to govern

st constant conflict," Rony replied

so I recommend you stay silent," Luke retorted

st?" Leonard said in a high-pitched voice. "I remember a time when both of

led over the

n rose s

said lightl

nodded

outside. We'll p

to the side courtyard near the entrance wh

*

d uncle began arguing. Whatever had fractured their bond remained a myste

ss to affect his affection towards Chris

outed, throwing the

d sidestepped. The ball sail

ted it effortlessly right in the moment. The girl stood froz

t. "Are you all right

and smiled. "I'm pe

his tracks. For a mom

Let's go inside," he whispered

tian replied absently, his

," Jake said gently.

hristian like a s

ional, conventional, predictable. Instead,

eliberate. Her long brown hair fell in a smooth cascade down her back, catc

appearance. Nothing ostentatious. Yet

age?" sh

ured her. As they walked inside, M

ed to fall strangely silent. In that suspended moment, C