The gravel crunched softly under the tires as the cars began pulling away from the cetery one by one. The late afternoon sun was slipping toward the horizon. Leonard remained quiet in the driver’s seat, one hand resting on the wheel, the other resting loosely in his lap. Katherine sat beside him, arms folded gently over her coat, her eyes watching the road ahead with a calm silence.
The twins were already settled in the backseat, murmuring to each other about flowers and whether Winston had heard them.
"You said... you usually go to the house after visiting the grave?"
"Yeah. It was always sothing Father liked. Family lunch, dinner... sotis even breakfast the next day. We just sit around the table like he’s still there. Silly, but... we kept doing it."
That’s what Claudio had ntioned earlier, before everyone began heading to their cars. Leonard didn’t mind following the ritual, but Katherine and the twins...
Leonard looked over at Katherine. Her gaze shifted to him with curiosity.
"Do you mind?" Leonard asked gently. "Going there? Just for a while."
Katherine paused, then turned to the twins. "What do you two think? Want to see Grandpa Winston’s house?"
"Can we?" Maya’s eyes lit up.
Nathan got curious, too. "Will it be big like Uncle Claudio’s house?"
"Bigger," Claudio said with a small chuckle.
Katherine smiled. "Alright, let’s go."
Leonard nodded, heart oddly full at the quiet consensus. He started the engine, and they followed Claudio’s car down the quiet tree-lined road.
The mansion stood just as Leonard rembered it. Tall and elegant, weathered by ti but not neglected. The front garden had been trimd recently, and the hedges bore the crisp edges of soone who still cared. As the cars pulled into the circular driveway, Leonard could see the pale flicker of lights through the front windows.
Katherine stepped out beside him, gazing up at the facade. The late sunlight glead off the tall windows and stone walls. Her fingers tightened briefly around the handle of her bag.
"Still feels the sa," Leonard murmured.
"It slls the sa," she said quietly. "Like sandalwood and old paper."
Just then, the front door opened, and a tall older man in a dark sweater and slacks stepped out. He had graying hair, a trimd beard, and a familiar grace to his movents. Theor.
His eyes widened at the sight of Leonard, surprise flashing across his face. "Young Master Leonard?"
Leonard managed a small nod. "Hello, Theor."
But Theor’s gaze drifted past him, and caught sight of Katherine. He froze.
"Miss Katherine... I—I didn’t think..." he whispered. Then his eyes landed on the twins.
"Are they... are they..." His voice cracked.
Leonard answered quietly, with only a nod.
Theor choked out a breath and pressed a trembling hand to his chest. "They’re... your children."
"Yes."
Tears welled up in the man’s eyes. He stepped forward slowly, overco. The twins stared up at him, wide-eyed and confused.
Thank god he spoke so softly so the kids didn’t catch what he asked.
He glanced at the twins, who were still looking up at Theor with innocent curiosity. Their small brows were furrowed, but they didn’t seem alard or even fully aware of the situation.
"Are you sad?" Maya asked, her voice gentle.
"Did we do sothing wrong?" Nathan added nervously.
Theor crouched to their level, brushing the corner of his eyes. "No, no, little ones. I’m crying because I’m happy. So very happy to see you. You have no idea how long I’ve waited to et you."
The twins exchanged looks before Nathan leaned forward and gave him a small hug. Maya joined in a heartbeat later. Theor looked completely undone.
Inside, the house still felt untouched. The furniture had been dusted, the curtains changed. But there was sothing hollow in the air, like the rooms had been waiting too long for people to return.
The soft hum of an engine approached, tires crackling over the gravel driveway. Leonard turned toward the window just as another car rolled in. Claudio stepped out first, followed by Paula and Julio.
"Oh, you really ca," Claudio said with a lopsided grin, his tone warm but teasing.
Leonard gave him a sidelong glance, unamused but not cold. "Don’t act too surprised," he muttered. "I said I’d co, didn’t I?"
Claudio laughed under his breath and nodded. "Yeah, yeah, I know. Just seeing you here. It’s been a while since this house saw all of us together."
Leonard looked past him toward Paula and Julio, who were making their way up slowly.
They gathered in the living room, the adults taking their usual seats with so hesitation, like guests in their own mories. Paula gently placed a tray of warm tea on the coffee table, and Julio curled against her side on the sofa.
Claudio broke the silence. "So, are we doing the usual tonight? Sleepover, movies, cooking too much food?"
Leonard blinked. "What?"
"It’s a tradition. We always stay overnight after visiting the grave."
Leonard turned to Katherine, searching her face.
"You okay with that?"
Katherine looked at the twins, who were already eyeing Julio, whispering sothing excitedly.
"Can we stay, Mom?" Maya asked.
"Please?" Nathan added, clasping his hands together dramatically.
Leonard opened his mouth, but Katherine spoke first.
"Of course. I’ll just drive ho and grab your pajamas and toothbrushes."
Leonard glanced at her. "Katherine... you don’t have to."
"I want to," she said gently, and there was a look in her eyes, sothing soft and resilient. "Besides, they clearly already think we’ve said yes."
The twins were already bouncing in their seats.
"Yay!" they cried in unison.
They jumped to their feet, grabbed each other’s hands, and started running in a circle around the coffee table.
"Sleepover! Sleepover! Sleepover!"
Julio joined in, and their laughter filled the room.
Claudio raised his cup of tea toward Leonard. "Welco back to the madness."
Leonard exhaled slowly, watching the swirl of tiny feet and tangled laughter. His eyes found Katherine again as she quietly smiled.
He couldn’t help but think, for the first ti in a long while, maybe this was what ho looked like.
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