Dinner was wrapping up, with just a few stray vegetables left on plates. Amelia had started clearing the table when Alan checked his watch.
"I should head back," Alan said, turning his wheelchair toward Jacob. "Got work to finish before tomorrow's meeting."
Jacob waved him off with a good-natured grin. "Go on, don't let us keep you."
Alan hesitated for a moment, something that would have seemed impossible only a few weeks ago. These family dinners had shifted from obligation to something he actually looked forward to. The warmth, the laughter, even the chaos of three small children — it all made him feel like part of something real again.
Samuel appeared in the doorway with his usual perfect timing, his expression calm and composed.
"All good here?" he asked, scanning the room.
"All set," Alan replied. "Need to review those files tonight."
