The morning light filtered soft and gray through the penthouse windows, the storm having eased into a steady, gentler rain overnight, and Penelope gathered the family in the living room with a lightness in her step that hadn't been there in weeks.
"The contract's ready to be formed," she announced, and the words landed exactly as she'd hoped they would — Aunt Mary's hand flying to her mouth, Erik going still with something like relief crossing his usually composed features, Kai letting out a whoop loud enough to startle Aurora into delighted giggles from where she sat propped against a pillow.
"You're sure?" Erik asked, already moving closer.
"I'm sure." Penelope glanced toward Aurora, warmth spreading through her chest at the sight of the baby babbling happily, entirely unaware of how much this small, ordinary morning meant to everyone gathered around her. "Whatever was blocking it before has resolved. We can finally do this properly."
