The sitting room was quiet except for the television murmuring and the rustle of paper.
Cartoons played across the screen at low volume — something with talking animals, the twins' choice. Lily was on the floor, surrounded by blocks. She was building a castle, or maybe a hospital, or maybe something that had started as one thing and become another the way her creations always did. Petal sat beside her, propped against a cushion, watching the construction with button-eyed approval.
Leo was beside his sister, cross-legged on the rug. The whale was in his lap. His tablet was on the floor next to him. He wasn't building. He was watching Lily build, occasionally handing her a block when she pointed at it. The Lion was upstairs on his pillow, keeping watch over the empty bedroom.
Arianne was on the couch.
