The light was already bright when Ezra woke again.For once, there was no thunder, no darkness, only the calm hush of morning seeping through the curtains.
Beside him, Mellody stirred, eyes fluttering open, her voice still caught between sleep and speech."What time is it?"
He reached for the clock. "Ten."
She gave a small, sleepy laugh. "Then we overslept our first day as a married couple."
Ezra smiled faintly. "Guess we earned it."
They wake up slowly, the room carrying the faint smell of salt and linen. The sound of waves outside drifted through half-opened windows. Both moved quietly, as if any noise might shatter the fragile peace the night had left behind.
After freshen-up and then dressed, they made their way down the hallway toward the dining room. The clatter of dishes and laughter reached them before they entered.
His family was already there.
Miller sat at the head of the table, coffee in hand, reading the paper. Rosey was clearing plates while Sophie and Vale whispered between fits of muffled laughter.
When Ezra and Mellody appeared in the doorway, all four looked up at once.
"Well, look who finally decided to join daylight," Miller said with a grin.
Sophie leaned across the table, eyes gleaming with mischief. "So, big brother, did you two at least sleep last night?"
Vale snorted into his juice; Rosey gave them both a sharp, half-amused look. "Behave."
Ezra rubbed the back of his neck, trying not to meet anyone's gaze. "We… rested fine, thanks."
"Rested?..oh, i guess maybe be different resting." Sophie repeated dramatically, earning another round of laughter.
Mellody, perfectly composed, crossed to the table. "We were adjusting to new surroundings," she said, tone even, almost regal. "It's natural to need rest after a long day."
Her calm silenced them all for half a heartbeat before Miller chuckled. "Well said, daughter-in-law. Welcome to the family circus."
Mellody smiled politely. "Thank you, Father. I guess i can call you father instead of using with law's even for you too my dear Mother-in-law, well...Mother."
The word Father and Mother drew an odd pause from Miller & Rosey—half surprise, half pride—before he nodded and gestured to the chairs. "Come, sit. We saved some breakfast."
They joined the table, conversation resuming with easy warmth: family stories, weekend plans, laughter about Vale's failed cooking attempt last week.
Yet beneath the light chatter, Ezra felt a flicker of something colder.
Every sound seemed a little delayed, every motion a fraction too smooth—like watching life through a thin sheet of glass.
He tried to shake it off. Smiled when Sophie teased him again. Reached for his coffee.
But when he lifted the cup, for just a blink of an eye, his reflection in the dark surface moved a heartbeat late.
The laughter blurred around him.
And somewhere deep inside, the storm began to stir again.
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