The clinking of silverware and soft hum of conversation filled the dining room. Warm light spilled across the table, catching the edges of plates and glasses. For a rare moment, everything felt… normal.
Nate sat at the head of the table, shirt sleeves rolled up, his posture relaxed but his eyes alert as always — scanning, observing, cataloging every detail like he couldn’t turn the agent side of him off.
Across from him sat Alexia, her hair loosely tied back, a calm smile resting on her lips. Christopher lay sprawled at her feet, his massive body half under the table, tail occasionally thumping against the floor when the twins giggled.
“So,” Nate said, breaking the comfortable silence. “How was everyone’s day?”
Kyan shot her hand up as if she were still in class. “I made a dinosaur out
