In the end, Seraphina took matters into her own hands, and did her hair while Tim just supervised.
When she was finally dressed, she twirled around, beaming up at him. "Okay! Now, breakfast!"
Tim checked the time. "We don't have much time—"
"Pancakes."
Tim gave her a look. "We'll be late."
Seraphina stared at him, unblinking.
Tim sighed, already losing. "Fine. But fast."
Seraphina grinned, slipping her small hand into his. "Come on, Daddy. Let's go wake up the kitchen."
And just like that, Tim found himself being dragged toward the kitchen by the tiny, stubborn force that was his daughter.
They made the pancakes, and came back to Seraphina's room because she forgot her shoe.
Aurora was already moving before she fully processed what she was seeing.
She had woken up groggy, feeling oddly well-rested—until she heard voices outside Seraphina's room. A deep, familiar voice. A tiny, giggle in response.
Her heart lurched.
