The next morning, sunlight streamed through the slit in the curtains, casting a warm glow across the bedroom. Alex and Emily lay entwined in each other's arms, the blanket draped loosely over their naked bodies. Outside the room, Emma and Andy were already awake and whispering to each other about waking up their parents, who seemed to have overslept.
As they walked down the hallway on the second floor, Margaret's voice called up to them from the bottom of the staircase with a hint of urgency. "Andy, Emma!" The twins paused, turning to see Margaret making her way up the stairs with a bright smile.
"Good morning," she greeted cheerfully.
"Good morning, Margaret," they replied, their voices polite and curious.
Halfway up the staircase, Margaret glanced at the bedroom door and then back at the twins. "Why don't you come down for some breakfast?" she suggested, her voice slightly louder than usual, as if trying to ensure they wouldn't miss a word.
