When they arrived home, Margaret, their longtime housekeeper, was already at the door, eagerly awaiting their arrival. Her eyes welled with tears the moment she saw Alex walk through the entrance. It had been months since she'd seen him, and the sight of him standing there—alive, strong, and back home—overwhelmed her with emotion.
"Welcome back, Mr. Stratton," she managed to say, controlling her joy as best as she could.
Alex gave her a soft nod, offering a smile of gratitude. "It's good to be home, Margaret."
With a thankful glance, Alex turned to Emily, and together they made their way upstairs, the familiar warmth of home surrounding them. The twins, meanwhile, hurried off to get ready for their art class, their excitement buzzing through the house.
