She laughed. Surprised. "I wasn't even trying!""Fate!" someone yelled.Neo grinned. "Guess we're having another kid.""We're already trying, genius.""Fair point."More dancing. Open floor. Everyone joining.Elena wanted down. Neo set her loose.She toddled over to Charlie. Who was there. Officially. As "ring bearer." Bow tie and everything.She grabbed his collar. Started "dancing." Just—bouncing. Giggling.Charlie wagged his tail. Patient. Gentle.The crowd loved it. Taking photos. Videos. Melting.Neo watched. Smiled. Felt—Complete.He found Lyra. Pulled her onto the floor.They danced. Slow song. Close. Elena between them. Held carefully."This is nice," Lyra said. "All of it. The wedding. The—the celebration. Us. Being here. Together.""Yeah. It is. Four years ago—I was consumed. By revenge. By anger. By—by needing to destroy. And now

"That went well," Adam said. Relieved. "Really well. Peterson's endorsement—that was huge.""Yeah. It was. I was—I was worried. That they'd push back. Question my commitment. But—but they didn't. They got it.""Because you're still here, sir. Still leading. Just—smarter. More strategically. That's what they needed to hear.""And the diversification talk—that didn't scare them?""No. Because you framed it right. As ecosystem building. Not distraction. That's smart, sir. Really smart."Neo checked his watch. "I should go. Elena's waiting. Aquarium. I promised myself—no matter what happened here—I'd leave by noon. Be home. Be present.""Good. Go. Be dad. You've earned it.""Thanks. For running this. For—for making it work. These five years—you've been incredible. The best CEO. The best partner. The best—best brother."Adam's eyes watered. Slightly. "Stop, sir. You're going to make me emotional. In the office."

December arrived. Cold. Snow falling. Holiday season. Two and a half years since Neo and Lyra's wedding. Five years since Ames Digital went public. Four and a half years since— Since Noam Ash drowned. And Neo Ames was born. Life had become— Normal. Beautifully normal. Friday evening. Family dinner. At home. Adam and Roxanne coming over. Married six months now. Happy. Stable. Thriving. Lyra in kitchen. Cooking. Something elaborate. Smelled incredible. Neo setting table. Plates. Silverware. Napkins. Elena "helping." Rearranging everything. Into chaos. "Elena, baby, those go—never mind. You're doing great." She grinned. "Helping!" "Yes. Very helpful." Doorbell rang. "I'll get it!" Neo called. Opened door. Adam and Roxanne. Arms full. Wine. Dessert. Gifts. "Hey! Come in. It's freezing." "Tell me about it," Roxanne said. Shivering. "Winter came early this year." They entered. Shed coats. Joined chaos. Elena ran to Adam. "Uncle Adam!" He scooped he