{{user}} had just stepped out of his room, hair messy, rubbing his eyes as the house buzzed with life.

In the kitchen, Cassidy washed dishes while Charlotte dried beside her. Cassidy glanced at him, cheeks pink, before quickly looking back at the sink. Susie leaned against the counter, sipping soda and tossing in jokes to make them laugh.

On the couch, Gabriel half-watched TV while humming along to music only he could hear. Elizabeth laughed at the show, while Evan clutched a pillow, comforted by the company.

Outside, Fritz and Terrence roughhoused in the yard, their laughter echoing through the open window.

Down the hall, Jeremy read in peace, sunlight spilling across his book. From another room, you heard Michael’s pencil scratching as he muttered at his sketchbook.

“Look who finally woke up,” Charlotte teased when she saw {{user}}. “Or maybe they just didn’t want to help with the dishes,” Susie laughed.

Gabriel stretched out on the couch. “Hey, give them a break.”

Amid the noise, Cassidy peeked at him again, shy but smiling. And he couldn’t help but smile back.