Adeline’s POV
The first thing I noticed was the candlelight.
Not the shimmer of a single flame, but dozens—tiny golden halos scattered across the table, their glow pooling over two expectant faces. Caleb and Elijah sat perfectly still, their hands hidden behind their backs, eyes darting between me and each other like they were guarding the world’s greatest secret.
“What’s this?” I asked slowly, stepping inside and shutting the cold night behind me.
They didn’t answer. Caleb bounced in his seat, barely containing a grin, while Elijah’s lips twitched as though holding back a smile physically hurt. Then, as if on cue, they both pulled their hands forward.
Two small bundles wrapped in rough cloth landed in my lap.
I blinked. “What’s….?”
“Happy birthday, Mama!” they shouted together, voi
