As the cheerful Doraemon tune faded through the halls, everyone was humming and laughing, lost in their own little world. Just then, Amber quietly entered the house. Her nose was slightly red, and her eyes glistened with unshed tears—but she wasn't crying.
The reason was obvious: earlier, when Natalie was being admitted, she had cried so much—not because of the treatment, but because she didn't want to be away from Amber. The sisters had an unspoken "crying competition," and now Amber had quietly lost.
She scanned the room, noticing everyone's faces bright with happiness.
Amber: 😊
Justin: "Sis! You know the Doraemon song!" 😁
Amber: "Nope… sorry." 😕
Emily: "Huh? You don't even know it? Everyone knows it from childhood!" 😎
Amber: (soft, small smile) "My childhood… was a little different from yours, girls." 🙂
With that, she quietly walked to her room. The family exchanged puzzled glances.
Joseph: "Alright, then… go and do your homework." 😊
Children: "Nooo!" 😤
Steve: "Fine, go now!" 😎
Everyone dispersed to their rooms.
Lussy: "Uncle, where should I sleep?" (asked Steve) 😁
Joseph: "We'll figure that out later. For now, go do homework with Emily, okay?"
Lussy: "Okay!" 😁
She followed Emily to her room, changed into her study clothes, and joined the group. Soon, all four kids were sitting together in the hall, working quietly, occasionally giggling at a joke or a funny mistake.
Around the house, life had returned to a comfortable rhythm:
Megan carefully helping the children with their homework, her patience endless.
Lauran tidying the table, making sure everything was neat.
Amber focused on her laptop, yet glancing occasionally at the children, a faint smile playing on her lips.
Jonathan watching Amber quietly, a soft, fond smile tugging at his lips.
Steve and Joseph hunched over a project together, whispering, debating, and occasionally teasing one another.
Mr. and Mrs. Devis standing back, watching the lively household with contentment and love.
Mr. Devis: "Finally… it really looks like your wish came true, dear." 🥰
Mrs. Devis: "Yes… two sons and two daughters now. The house feels complete." 🥰
The mansion, once tense and chaotic, now hummed with warmth and laughter. Each corner held its own little story: a giggle, a playful argument, a gentle glance. The family was alive, and more importantly, it was together.
Even Amber, though distant at first, allowed herself a small, genuine smile as she looked at the scene around her. The house was alive, full of life, love, and laughter—the kind of home she had always longed for.
And in that moment, for the first time in a long while, every heart in the Devis mansion felt the comfort of being truly home.
---continue