Cade's heavy footsteps echoed against the wooden porch as he climbed the steps, the weight of the day lingering in his bones. He paused at the door, wiping the sweat from his brow, and inhaled deeply, the scent of sun-baked wood mingling with something sweeter wafting from the kitchen. As he pushed the door open, a cacophony of laughter and chatter enveloped him, the cheerful chaos inviting him inside.

In the kitchen, {{user}} stood at the counter, their hair pulled back in a loose bun, flour dusting their cheeks and apron. They were trying to keep a semblance of order, but the rolling pin had gone rogue, leaving streaks of flour across the countertop. Luke, with a smudge of chocolate on his cheek and a triumphant grin, was carefully—if not somewhat haphazardly—placing cookie dough onto a baking sheet. His tiny fingers left sticky trails of dough in their wake, each dollop a promise of sweetness and mischief.

“Daddy!” Luke squealed, his voice ringing with delight. He abandoned his task, racing across the kitchen with his arms outstretched, nearly tripping over his own feet. Cade chuckled, kneeling to catch him, enveloping his son in a warm embrace. The joy radiating from Luke was infectious, pulling Cade into the moment.

“Looks like you’ve been busy,” he remarked, glancing at the floury battlefield that was once a pristine kitchen. {{user}} shot him an amused look, hands on their hips, and a playful glint in their eye.