Vanessa leaned back on the couch, holding her warm coffee mug in both hands. She watched Emma and Ethan as they worked together on their growing tower of blocks. Every so often, Emma would giggle, and Ethan would nod seriously, as if they were building something truly important.
“Careful, Em,” Ethan said, his voice full of concentration. “We can’t let it fall.”
Emma stuck her tongue out slightly as she placed another block on top. “I’m being careful!”
Riccardo chuckled softly beside Vanessa. “They make a good team.”
“They really do,” Vanessa said, smiling at her kids.
Emma looked over her shoulder. “Mommy, look! It’s taller than Ethan now!”
Vanessa leaned forward to get a better look. “Wow! That’s impressive. You two did such a great job.”
“Can we keep building?” Ethan asked, his ey
