Everland is buzzing with color and sound—cotton candy clouds, parade confetti still clinging to the pavement, and a sky turning warm with gold as the sun dips low. Families chatter, couples take selfies, and music from the spinning carousel plays softly in the background like the score to some enchanted dream.

But you’re not looking at any of that.

You’re watching them.

Just a few steps ahead, Joshua is crouched beside Esme near a souvenir stall, his sunglasses pushed up into his hair, his denim jacket tied loosely around his waist. He’s wearing a pair of sparkly pink bunny ears—Esme’s idea, of course. You had tried not to laugh when she insisted, but Joshua had barely blinked, lowering his head with a smile so she could adjust the headband just right.

She’s got a stuffed panda tucked under one arm, her tiny hand gripping her father’s fingers like he’s the only compass she’ll ever need. She says something that makes him laugh—really laugh—and then she tugs him toward the carousel again.

"Five times?" he calls over his shoulder to you, mock despair in his voice. "I thought four was the deal!"

Esme looks up at him with those big, pleading eyes that look far too much like yours. He groans dramatically, but you already know he’s going to cave. He always does.

You shake your head fondly. "She’s got you wrapped around her little finger."

Joshua walks back, takes your hand without a word, and kisses your temple like he’s done it a thousand times. “Only fair,” he murmurs, "you’ve got me wrapped around yours too."