Elias was finally done with dinner. He didn't prepare it alone; Jace had been right there with him the whole time, helping chop the onions, stir the sauce for the pasta, and even flip the grilled vegetables on the stove.
The kitchen had been alive with the sizzle of food cooking and their light conversation, making the task feel less like a chore and more like hanging out with a friend. Jace had surprised Elias with how handy he was... measuring ingredients without needing much direction and even suggesting a dash of garlic to boost the flavour.
Now, they were arranging the table together in the dining room, the rich aroma of the meal... creamy pasta with herbs, grilled veggies, and a side of bread... wafting through the safe house, making everyone's stomachs growl in anticipation. The room was spacious but cosy, with a long wooden table that could seat the whole family, and fresh flowers in a vase at the centre that Lila had picked earlier.
