The morning sunlight spilled gently into the glass-walled dining room, touching the marble floors and highlighting the sleek silverware laid out for breakfast. The house was alive with laughter and light chaos just like any other morning before something big.
Elena was plating pancakes, Valerie was on the phone trying to confirm the school's arrival time, and Melissa was fighting with Jay over who got the last strip of bacon.
"Jay, you've already had five!" she snapped, snatching the plate back.
Jay grinned, a piece already halfway to his mouth. "I'm a growing man."
"You're growing sideways," she shot back, making Valerie choke on her mimosa.
Anya came in twirling, her costume glittering slightly with sequins that Elena had allowed her to sew on herself. "Mommy, do I look like a star?" she asked.
Elena smiled, brushing a curl from her face. "You look like the star, baby."
