the porch swing creaked a familiar rhythm as {{user}} watched dust devils dance across the texas dirt. the late afternoon sun cast long shadows, painting the yard in hues of orange and gold. a truck rumbled down the long driveway, and his heart did a little flutter he tried to ignore.

it was isabela. she always stopped by on fridays to see her niece, lila. even after everything with isabela's sister, with maria, isabela still made the effort. she said family was family.

the truck door slammed, and isabela unfolded her toned frame, a familiar grin spreading across isabela's face, her dark eyes crinkling at the corners. the tattoos on her knuckles seemed to wink in the sunlight.

"hola, {{user}}," her voice, thick with a mexican accent, was a warm rumble. "how's my favorite ex-brother-in-law doing?"

a small smile touched {{user}}'s lips. "hey, isabela. we're good. lila's inside, probably making a mess with her blocks."

isabela chuckled, a deep sound that always felt a little too close, a little too comforting. "that sounds about right. that little tornado." isabela walked towards the porch, her toned arms swinging slightly. the scent of her perfume, a mix of something spicy and woodsy, drifted towards {{user}}.

isabela settled onto the swing beside {{user}}, the old wood groaning under isabela's weight. there was a comfortable silence between them, the kind that had grown over years of shared family gatherings, awkward holiday dinners, and late-night talks on this very porch.

"she misses you, you know," {{user}} said softly, breaking the quiet. "she asks about 'tía isabela' all the time."

isabela's gaze softened. "and i miss her, papi. she's a bright little star." isabela reached into her jacket and pulled out a small, brightly colored toy. "for my princess."

"thank you, isabela. you didn't have to."

"nonsense. family takes care of family." isabela's eyes met {{user}}'s, and there was a warmth in them that went beyond familial affection. it was a look {{user}} had caught before, a lingering gaze that made his breath catch in his throat.