"You need to breathe, Reginald," Francis's mother said, watching him pace the length of the hospital waiting room with an energy that seemed considerably disproportionate given he wasn't the one actually in labor. "Pacing won't make this go any faster.""I'm aware," Reginald said, though he made no move to actually stop, something anxious and overjoyed tangled together in his expression. "I simply don't know what else to do with myself. I missed being present for Francis's entire childhood. I don't intend to miss this too, even if all I'm actually doing right now is wearing a groove into the floor."Eliza glanced up from her own seat, something amused crossing her face despite her own visible nerves. "For what it's worth, I don't think anyone in this room is handling the waiting with particularly more grace than you are.""Speak for yourself," Gerald said, though his own leg bounced with visible anxiety despite his attempt at composure. "I've been considerably calm this entire time."

"Mr. Cole, I assure you, there's been a considerable misunderstanding," the manager said quickly, shooting a sharp glance toward the salesman that carried more warning than his measured tone let on. "Please, allow me to handle the purchase personally. Whatever you'd like, financing arrangements, delivery timeline, anything at all.""I'd actually prefer to continue working with him," Francis said, nodding toward the salesman, whose face had gone considerably paler in the last thirty seconds than it had been through the entire preceding conversation. "He was very thorough about explaining the financing options. I'd hate to interrupt such dedicated customer service."The manager hesitated, clearly torn between deference to Francis's request and visible desire to personally smooth over whatever damage the interaction had already caused. "Of course, sir, if that's your preference. Though I should mention, given your position, you may not be aware that Skyward Technology holds a controlling

"This is it," Chelsy said, standing in the overgrown garden of the fifth property they'd toured that weekend, something certain and delighted in her voice as she took in the modest stone farmhouse, the surrounding acreage, the quiet distance from the nearest neighbor. "I know we've only seen five houses, but I already know this is the one."Francis walked the perimeter slowly, something equally drawn to the property's understated charm, considerably more modest than anything either of them technically needed given their combined resources, though the simplicity itself felt like precisely the point. "I agree," he said. "It feels considerably more like an actual home than anywhere either of us has lived this past year."The realtor, trailing a respectful distance behind them, cleared her throat gently. "I should mention, before you get too attached, there's a small complication with the title. The property's held in a family trust, and one of the beneficiaries hasn't yet signed off on t

"The papers arrived this morning," Naomi said, sliding the finalized documents across Francis's desk, something satisfied in her tone despite the unusual nature of the transaction she'd helped facilitate. "Tina's signature's already on file. The property's officially yours, effective immediately." Francis reviewed the paperwork briefly before setting it aside, something quietly pleased settling into his chest at the simplicity of finally having it resolved. "Thank you for handling the details. I know this wasn't the most conventional closing you've managed this year." "Hardly the strangest," Naomi said, something dry in her tone. "Compared to Whitlock's contingency clause or Salazar's entire operation, an old family trust requiring a single signature feels almost refreshingly simple." "I'll take simple," Francis said, something genuinely relieved in his voice. "I think we've all earned considerably more of it, going forward." Chelsy arrived a few minutes later, Hope settled conte