She stopped.
Looked at their utterly destroyed expressions.
Then exploded into laughter.
Not a giggle. A full, ringing, joyous meltdown that echoed off the glass windows. She pulled both Isabella and Luna into a hug, still laughing. "I'm joking. Your faces were priceless."
The whole table exhaled like they'd been underwater. Then chaos burst into relieved laughter.
"That mean, Ms. Carter," Luna wheezed pouting cutely.
"I'm a mother," Linda replied. "Cruel pranks are part of the user manual."
The introductions rolled on—Rebecca with her calm poise, Dominique and Catherine with their refined warmth, Patricia (which led to a moment of 'oh god, not you too?' followed by hugs), Reyna with her quiet grace. By the time the circle closed, Linda looked overwhelmed, glowing, and oddly proud.
