Daniel stepped in behind Lucas, setting the newspaper on the side table near the door and shrugging off his jacket. “Shoes off,” he said with a faint smile to both of them. “Or mom is going to wage war.” Lucas slipped off his sneakers awkwardly, feeling like an intruder. The house was warm and filled with the soft hum of a radio playing something classical in the background.
It didn’t feel like the kind of place that had arguments. It felt… settled. Emilia dropped her bag near the couch and disappeared down the hall. Lucas stood in the doorway, unsure of where to go or what to do with his hands. Daniel returned from hanging up his jacket and motioned toward the kitchen. “Come on. Let’s get you that cocoa.”