“Payton!” my mom’s voice broke through instantly.
Claire appeared first, her eyes lighting up before she screamed and ran straight into me. I barely had time to react before I was hugging her tightly, lifting her off the ground like she weighed nothing.
“Oh my goodness,” I said, smiling through the sudden wave of emotion. “Look at you… you’ve grown so much.”
“I’m seven now!” she said proudly, as if it was the biggest achievement in the world.
“I can see that,” I laughed softly, brushing her hair back.
Just then, little footsteps thundered across the floor.
“Payton!” Desmond shouted, rushing toward me next.
I bent just in time to catch him as he threw his arms around me too, nearly knocking me off balance.
“Woah, careful there,” I said, laughing as my hand instinctively rested on hi
