Chapter 214

Lillian and Kevin, finished cleaning, joined the tooth-brushing queue. Gwen and Marie stepped in, freeing Stacey to wash up. Debra still slept. Lillian snorted. "Granny's sleeping in again!"

Kevin piped up, "The early bird catches the worm."

Stacey chuckled. "Don't be mean," she said, amused by their vocabulary.

"Mom, when will Granny get up?" Kevin asked.

Lillian echoed, "Yeah, is Granny getting up soon?"

Stacey shrugged, pinching their cheeks. "I don't know. Let's play games!"

Their eyes lit up. "Okay!"

Marie fetched puzzles, and soon, the couch was a whirlwind of brightly colored pieces. Debra finally emerged, much later than usual.

Kevin raced to her. "Granny!"

Debra scooped him up. "Wow, Kev, you're up early!"

Lillian declared seriously, "Granny, you got up late!"

Debra laughed, pinching Lillian's cheek. "Yes, yes, Granny's late! You two are wonderful—early to bed, early to rise!"

"Have you washed, Mom? Breakfast is on its way," Stacey said. They'd ordered in from the hotel after a few days of Daprein's delicious but exhausting restaurants.

Debra nodded. A quick breakfast followed, then the daunting task of packing. Their suitcases, once empty, overflowed. Purchases needed mailing home, but they squeezed everything in.

Luggage piled high, they hurried to the airport, catching a taxi. A short flight separated them from home, but it felt like a world away.

Patrick waited, precisely on time. Lillian and Kevin, hadn't seen their grandfather in days, ran to him. He hugged them tight, kissing their faces. "The car's outside," he beamed, his assistant already taking their luggage.

In the car, Patrick smiled. "Have a good time?"

Debra's eyes shone. "Absolutely! Did you see the photos?"

"Yes," Patrick grinned.

They chatted happily. Stacey felt a pang of envy. Dad’s so good to Mom, she thought.

Back home, Lillian and Kevin zoomed around, Marie in hot pursuit. Stacey, finally unpacked, sighed in relief.

An idea sparked – invite Eugene to Zentiscape. She opened her computer, then froze. Hayden's stories of her childhood were hazy. How could she plan without memories?

Giving up, she shut down. Mom and Dad remember, she thought, rushing downstairs.

Upstairs, Debra regaled Patrick with their Daprein adventures: Hayden's kindness, the Eklonna event, Eugene's meeting. Each detail filled Debra with warmth. Hayden’s genuine care touched her deeply. Patrick listened, pleased.

Their daughter's question about her childhood unlocked a flood of memories. Patrick and Debra recounted stories, Stacey scribbling notes. Hours flew by before they finally paused, throats dry.

Adrian arrived to a strangely quiet house. Lillian and Kevin are usually so lively, he mused.

The children, seeing their uncle, looked puzzled. Kevin broke the silence, "Uncle Adrian!"

Adrian scooped him up, overjoyed. Lillian, remembering, raced over, clutching her doll. "Uncle Adrian!"

Adrian hugged her, a doting smile replacing his confusion.

Patrick, Debra, and Stacey, finally noticed Adrian. Surprise flickered across their faces.