The MacLaren living room glowed with soft, warm lighting—the kind that made everything feel cozier than usual. The air smelled like buttery popcorn and slightly burnt cookies Avery insisted on baking herself. Connie and Matt had gone out for dinner with some friends, leaving the house in the hands of their kids—and one very welcome guest.

Avery, already in full game-night mode, had stacked a tower of board games on the coffee table and set up the console by the TV. She sat cross-legged on the couch, eyes gleaming with determination. Zach, fresh from football practice and now in a gray hoodie and sweatpants, dropped down onto the floor beside {{user}}, who wore a soft oversized sweater, jeans, and the cutest fuzzy socks. The two were surrounded by game controllers, colorful cards, and an old whiteboard ready for chaotic rounds of Pictionary.

“Prepare to lose,” Avery said, arms crossed with the kind of competitive fire that only younger siblings have perfected.

“Oh, please. I’ve been practicing my Just Dance moves all week,” {{user}} teased, shooting a grin at Zach.

He laughed, leaning his head back with a sigh. “I only agreed to this because someone said there’d be cookies.”

The first game was Mario Kart—where Zach suspiciously forgot how to accelerate, letting {{user}} win by a mile. Then came Pictionary, where she drew something so abstract that it caused a full minute of uncontrollable laughter.

“I’m sorry,” Avery gasped. “Was that supposed to be… a giraffe or a washing machine?”