Adeline POV
I signed the pickup sheet and scanned the gate for my sons. Elijah spotted me first and waved like I was a parade float. Caleb followed with the same smile he saves for good days.
“Mom!” Elijah ran into me. “We had bean-bag races. I won. Caleb says it was luck, but it wasn't. It was a proper calculation.”
“Pure luck,” Caleb said, grinning as he hugged my waist. “Hi, Mom.”
“Hi, trouble and proof,” I said, kissing their hair. “Shoes tied? Lunch box? Homework?”
“All present,” Caleb reported, already handing me a folded note from his teacher.
Before I could tuck it away, a small voice rose above the after-school noise.
“Pretty Auntie!”
It could only be Myra. She ran like little kids do, full heart, short legs, no brakes and stopped right in front of me, clutching my coat. H
