Later that evening, after the birthday party was over, everyone started cleaning up the cottage ground.
Some were tidying up outside, gathering wrappers and folding picnic blankets, while others cleaned the inside of the cottage to get things back to normal.
Inside, Princess, Faye, and Eriko were working through the living room mess.
Also Dina was inside..
Faye was standing by the counter, busy washing the stack of dishes from the party snacks, when a loud, firm knock echoed off the front door.
"Papa! Daddy is here! Daddy is here!" Dina shouted instantly, dropping her toys on the floor and running straight for the entry.
Leo walked into the cottage carrying his daughter high on his shoulder, his chest puffed out like he was expecting everyone inside to be thrilled by his presence.
No one cared.
Not even Eriko turned his head around.
"Hello, everybody! Daddy is home!" Leo announced, his voice booming over the sound of running water in the sink.
