The sound of laughter and stomping feet hit the house like a sudden gust of wind.
“We’re back!” Sophia shouted over the chaos, juggling backpacks, a half-empty juice box, and a tote bag stuffed with questionable souvenirs. “And I come bearing sugar-hyped children and exactly zero patience.”
The front door swung wider and two small bodies barreled in.
“Mommy!” Amelia squealed, a blur of wild curls and mismatched socks.
Eliott followed right behind her, dragging a blanket he insisted on bringing everywhere now, even in the middle of summer.
Isabelle stood from the couch, her book forgotten—though she hadn’t turned a page in over twenty minutes. “Hey, babies.”
They crashed into her in tandem, arms flung around her waist like they’d been gone a week, not just two days.
“Did you have fun
