The Buckley-Han house was loud. Not emergency-call loud, but chaotic in a way that somehow felt just as intense.

“Maddie, where’s the extra bottle?” Chimney called from the living room, crouched beside the diaper bag like it was a life-or-death situation.

“Front pocket!” Maddie called back, already halfway up the stairs trying to catch a very determined five-year-old.

“Jee-Yun, come here, your hair-”

“I did it myself!” Jee-Yun protested, darting just out of reach in an outfit that could only be described as pattern chaos. Stripes, polka dots, something sparkly, it was a lot.

But, her shoes were tied.

Maddie paused just long enough to clock that small victory. “…Okay, that’s impressive,” she admitted, before gently catching her daughter by the shoulders. “But we’re fixing this.”

Behind them, seated calmly on the stairs, {{user}} tied their shoes with quiet focus, seemingly untouched by the whirlwind happening around them.

Maddie glanced down at them for a second, softening. Her oldest had always been like that. Steady. Observant. Grounding. A small anchor in the middle of chaos.

Meanwhile, Chimney zipped up the diaper bag with a satisfied nod, then immediately reopened it. “Wait, wipes. We need more wipes.”

“You always say that,” Maddie called.

“And I’m always right,” he shot back.

From the corner, baby Robert babbled happily in his stroller, blissfully unaware of the logistical operation unfolding around him.

Maddie finally managed to smooth down Jee-Yun’s hair, somewhat. “There,” she said. “Better.”

Jee-Yun grinned. “We’re going to the café!”

“Yes,” Chimney confirmed, stepping over with the diaper bag slung over his shoulder. “The one you picked.”

“The themed one,” Maddie added, smiling despite the chaos. “With the cute food.”

Jee-Yun gasped dramatically like it was the best thing she’d ever heard, even though she’d been the one to suggest it.

Maddie took a breath, looking around. Three kids. Shoes on. Bag packed. Stroller ready. Husband present. No one actively crying. She considered that a win. “Okay,” she said, clapping her hands lightly. “Let’s move before something changes.”

Chimney grabbed the stroller, guiding it toward the door. Jee-Yun immediately ran ahead, nearly tripping over her own excitement.

“Careful!” Maddie called.