The front door creaked open, and a familiar face stepped inside.
"Uncle Daniel!" Harper shouted, springing up from the sofa with boundless energy. His feet pounded across the wooden floor as he bolted toward him.
Daniel laughed softly, bending down just in time to catch the boy as Harper flung himself forward. Daniel wrapped him in a warm hug, lifting him slightly off the ground before setting him back down.
"Hey, Harper," Daniel said with a smile, ruffling the boy's hair in that way only uncles could get away with. "It's been a while."
"Yeah, Uncle Daniel, it's been a while. You came to see my dad?" Harper asked eagerly, his eyes shining.
"Yeah," Daniel nodded, still smiling. "There are some things I want to talk to him about. And I also need his advice on it."
Harper beamed, satisfied with the answer, and looped his arm around Daniel's wrist as if to personally escort him into the living room. His parents were already watching, both smiling at the scene.
