~Katherine's POV
I watched Mathew nod, his expression calm but still carrying that protective weight he always had. "I'll leave you to settle in, check on you all tomorrow," he said, and I could see the relief in his eyes, though he didn't need to say it aloud. I stood, hugging him tightly, feeling the strength of his support. "Thank you, Mathew," I whispered, my voice full of gratitude, and the twins ran up to him too, wrapping their little arms around him. "Bye, Uncle Mathew!" they chimed, their voices full of relief and happiness.
Once he left, the house felt quieter, but only for a moment. The twins immediately ran to Aaron, their faces lighting up as they hugged him fiercely. "We missed you so much!" they shouted almost at the same time, their laughter mingling with relief. Aaron kissed them all over, hugging them close. "I missed you too," he murmured, his voice thick, "and I'm so sorry I wasn't here when this happened."
