Seraphine woke to the soft, almost hesitant knock drifting through the quiet of the suite, the kind of sound that tugged her out of sleep without fully startling her.
She pushed herself upright, heart already reaching for the door, when her eyes landed on the folded note resting on the bed beside her.
A warm, unstoppable smile curved across her face as she looked from the paper in her hands to the two little bodies still lost in peaceful sleep, their faces soft and trusting against the pillows.
Something deep in her chest swelled so full it felt like the whole messy world could stay outside for a little while longer and she would still be okay.
Another gentle knock pulled her back, and she slipped out of bed, bare feet quiet on the carpet as she crossed the room. When she opened the door and saw Vladimir standing there with a tray, her whole face lit up.
"Dad."
She reached for the tray right away, taking the weight from him with an easy familiarity.
