The car pulled into the estate just after one in the morning.
The fireworks had ended hours ago, but the city was still alive with the distant sound of celebration. The estate was dark and quiet, the foyer lamp left on. Franz parked the car and turned to look in the backseat.
Lily was slumped against Arianne's side, her mouth slightly open, Petal crushed between her cheek and Arianne's arm. Leo's head rested in her lap, the whale tucked under his chin, his breathing deep and even. Neither of them had made it through the car ride home.
"They're done," Franz said quietly.
"They've been done since the third firework."
"I'm impressed they made it that long."
Arianne shifted Lily gently, trying not to wake her. "Can you carry Leo?"
