The sound of laughter filled the park, blending with the distant hum of traffic and the soft rustling of leaves in the afternoon breeze. Elliott and Amelia ran ahead, their giggles carrying through the air as they chased each other toward the swings.
Isabelle watched them, a small smile tugging at her lips.
It had been so long since things felt this… easy.
Beside her, Marcus walked at a steady pace, hands in his pockets, watching the twins with quiet amusement. “They’ve got energy,” he mused, shaking his head.
“They always do,” Isabelle said with a chuckle. “I keep thinking they’ll tire themselves out, but somehow, they never do.”
Marcus smirked. “Good thing they have me now. I was an expert at playground games in my day.”
She shot him a skeptical look. “Oh, really?”
“I’ll have you
