Morning came far too quickly.
Valerie barely felt it at first—just a faint warmth through the curtains, a heaviness still clinging to her limbs—until—bounce, bounce, bounce. The mattress dipped violently.
"Mommy! Mommy! Wake up—wake up!" Little Roe's voice burst into her ears, bright and unstoppable. "Daddy's house is so big! And there are fishes! In a pond! Outside!"
Valerie groaned, dragging the blanket over her head. "…Five minutes…"
But the bouncing didn't stop. If anything, it got worse.
"Mommy, get up! Roe wants to see the big bounce house! It's sooo big—like this big!" The bed shook again as he demonstrated, clearly using his entire body as measurement.
Her eye twitched under the blanket.
"…Roe," she muttered weakly, "if you keep jumping, Mommy is going to pass away peacefully right here."
"Nooo!" he gasped dramatically, immediately flopping down on her. "Mommy can't die! Roe didn't even see the bounce house yet!"
Valerie let out a muffled sound as his full weight landed on her stomach, her breath knocked right out of her lungs as she stared at the ceiling in silent disbelief. This child really came with full force in the mornings.
She stayed like that for a few seconds, debating her life choices, before finally dragging the blanket down and blinking up at the overly energetic child on top of her. His eyes were sparkling—way too sparkling for this hour—and she already knew resistance was useless.
"…Fine. Fine, I'm up," she sighed, voice rough with sleep.
"Yay!!"
He immediately scrambled off and grabbed her hand, trying to drag her out of bed like a tiny commander with a mission. Valerie nearly tripped over her own feet, hair a mess, brain still half-asleep as she stumbled along behind him.
"At least let Mommy wash her face before we explore your… empire," she muttered, barely coherent.
Little Roe nodded very seriously, as if this was a reasonable negotiation.
But the moment they stepped into the bathroom—Valerie paused.
Her gaze settled on the counter, and the sleep-fog lifted just a little.
Two brand-new toothbrushes.
Sealed toiletries.
Even a small stool placed neatly by the sink, perfectly sized for Roe.
Her fingers hovered for a second.
Everything… was prepared.
Her lips pressed together faintly, something unreadable flickering in her eyes, but she said nothing.
"Mommy, brush!" Roe chirped, already climbing onto the stool like he belonged there.
Valerie exhaled quietly and reached for the toothbrush. "Alright, alright…"
By the time they came downstairs, Roe was freshly washed and fully energized, talking nonstop about fish, ponds, and the mysterious "big bounce house" like it was the greatest discovery of his life.
Valerie, meanwhile, still felt like her soul hadn't fully caught up with her body.
The smell of breakfast greeted them—warm, familiar, almost grounding.
In the kitchen, Aunt Valentina turned at the sound of their steps, her face immediately lighting up. "Good morning, Valerie, Roe."
"Morning…" Valerie replied, her voice still slightly hoarse.
But just as she stepped in, more footsteps followed.
Her uncle. Aunt Eleanor. Victor.
They entered almost at the same time—and froze.
For a brief second, something tense flickered across their faces, something tight and unspoken.
Then it melted, replaced with visible relief.
"You're up," Uncle William exhaled, his shoulders finally loosening.
Aunt Eleanor stepped forward quickly, her eyes scanning Valerie from head to toe as if checking for something she couldn't quite name. "Are you alright? Did you sleep well?"
Valerie blinked, caught off guard by the intensity. "…I'm fine."
Her gaze shifted—and landed on Victor.
The bandage wrapped around his head stood out starkly.
Her chest tightened slightly, guilt pricking at her.
Without thinking, she moved. "You should sit. I'll help in the kitchen—"
"I'm already done—" Aunt Valentina started, but Valerie was already rolling up her sleeves and stepping forward.
Aunt Eleanor followed her quietly.
"Valerie," she said in a lower voice, "are you… really alright?"
There was something careful in the way she asked, something probing.
Valerie paused for just a fraction of a second before nodding. "I said I'm fine, Auntie."
Aunt Eleanor studied her face for a moment longer, then sighed softly. "Alright."
Breakfast was served soon after.
They all sat down.
And ate.
Quietly.
Too quietly.
Valerie could feel it—the subtle glances, the pauses that stretched just a little too long, the way the conversation never quite started. It felt like they were waiting for something, watching her for something, and she couldn't figure out what.
Her brows furrowed faintly, but she kept her focus on her plate.
"Mommy," Roe piped up again, swinging his legs under the chair, "when can we see the big bounce house?"
Valerie didn't look up. "After you finish your breakfast."
He puffed his cheeks but obediently took another bite.
Silence settled again.
Then—
Roe frowned suddenly, tilting his head. "…Where daddy?"
Valerie's fork paused mid-air.
Around the table, everything stilled.
Every gaze turned to her—sharp, quiet, waiting.
She cleared her throat, forcing a small, easy smile. "He had some urgent work to handle. He'll be back soon."
Roe's lips immediately drooped into a pout.
He crossed his arms stubbornly, sinking into his chair. "Then Roe doesn't want to see the big bounce house!"
Valerie blinked at him, caught between disbelief and amusement before she shrugged. "Well if you don't want to."
"Mommyyy!"
"Don't think it will work on me" She leaned over and poked his puffed cheek. "Daddy's busy. He'll be back soon but if you're not gonna be a good boy I will tell him to take his time."
He turned his face away with a dramatic huff. "Hmph."
Valerie almost smiled—
but her gaze flickered to her family looking at her questioningly.
She looked away quickly, picking up her fork again like nothing happened.
"He got an urgent call last night," she said lightly.