The next day dawned crisp and clear, a perfect slice of autumnal bliss, and Leanne was off duty.

At seven on the dot, as reliable as ever, Betty came bounding in to deliver her wake-up call. She could manage nights without Leanne, but mornings were a different story - she needed to see her parents first thing to soothe her longing heart.

Having stayed up late, Leanne struggled to open her drowsy eyes, only for a gentle kiss to land on her eyelids.

"Sleep a bit more," came a deep, soothing voice coaxing her back to sleep. "I'll take care of her."

Leanne's eyelashes fluttered but sleep ultimately reclaimed her, her eyelids closing again as she murmured a sleepy acknowledgment.

Curtis slipped out of bed and opened the door, where Betty awaited, impatient as a little sparrow: "Mommy! Mommy!"

Once the door closed again, Curtis whispered, "Let's not wake Mommy."

"The sun's up high!" Betty protested.

"Sunshine is good for you," Curtis persuaded her with his playful logic, lifting her in his arms as their footsteps faded down the stairs.

Leanne snoozed for another hour or so before descending to find Curtis and Betty playing soccer in the lawn.

out in a white tracksuit, her hair in two little buns, while Curtis wore a black half-zip sweatshirt and casual pants, embodying a relaxed, lazy vibe in the crisp

it was more of Betty running around clutching the ball than actually playing soccer, even when she stumbled, she didn't fuss, just rolled around

little girl, didn't let up, securing a whopping 11:0 victory that left Betty sulking at

a fit after

to chuckle, "A little dirt-lover, huh?

as Leanne appeared, Betty ran into her arms, her face full

from her hair, smiled lazily. "Daddy bullies Mommy

on his

stamped on his shoe:

point, they took off,

I'll give you ten seconds." Leanne

sounds of their laughter up to where Larson

found a curious charm in this

yearned for the warmth of familial love. Sent abroad at fifteen, he navigated a sea of "friends," but the

alone than ever.

warm and inviting home was like something out of a fairy tale, almost too good

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