REBECCA
A smile grew on my lips as I approached the door leading to my apartment: the hallway was filled with a delightful smell of homemade pizza, and I could hear the joyful laughter of Reiner and the kids. I paused for a moment before walking in and revealing my presence: for a moment, I stood behind the door, closed my eyes, and imagined what was happening on the other side.
I could clearly see Reiner, Violet, and James in the kitchen, laughing and having fun, covered in flour and tomato sauce, smiling like never before... and as they always, always should have been.
In those last few weeks, the kids had truly blossomed: it was as if, with finally knowing their dad and having him around as a parent, a side of them I'd never seen had emerged. They were still the same, and yet... they
