o

having to deal with Theodore every day, but a quick conversation with Xander on a phone call let me kno

ntion. Our daily routine has consisted of homeschooling

d over my violin to Emile. She quickly sets it up h

as hard figuring out how to teach two young children to do something I learnt to do a long time ago,

er she plays a few jerky but clear no

face as she passes the instrument

sits back and learns at a measured pace, his eyes light

has been struggling with, I am not surprised. Wh

e exclaims with a trembling voice as she slams her bow down. Before I can react, she has

t each other and he offers me a small smile that does

ommy used to play the piano and Emile thinks that if she lea

en working with the twins for weeks now and yet this is the first time I have he

l be right back." I hurry down to the kitche

nsitive topic? Maybe it is not my place to, but Emile's te

but what happened to

ith a look of surprise and a hint of sadness. "You didn't know?

**

f the car. The afternoon sunlight casts a warm glo

e the glimmer of excitement she has been trying to hide in

we walk to the door. My voice drops to a whisper when we get closer to th

but Emile's face remains passive a

, captivating the twins. A wide grin grows on my face

ing with excitement. "Are you r

usicians hone their craft. The twins stare at each passing musician in awe and a sad smile filled with longing falls

The pianist seated on it greets us with a nod and immediately be

iliar sound of "Twinkle, twinkle,

grant me this favor, even harder to co

n the face of the twins. They stare at the pia

otes fade away. "Wow," he breathes. Emile's gaze meets h

r you is still very much alive," I say, repeating words I told myself after my parent's death to cope with the grief. "She might not be here physically, but I'm sure she would b

have experienced loss myself, I can't dictate what the twins have had to deal with

inviting her to seek comfort in them. She collapses into me, her small body shak

eeping Emile up to her room and slowly lay her down on her

I ask, concerned that

he replies instead with a sincerity that i

nd reassuringly.

door I have only ever seen locked close. "Ethan, why don't you go

door cautiously, my heart beating faster. I push it

e's home

cuments on top the desk, K