"Long day at work?" Florence asked, and Gianna only managed a tired nod in response as she stepped into the large living room, pausing briefly to greet her best friend's grandmother.
The older woman looked perfectly at ease, reading a thick book with her legs lifted and neatly crossed on the side stool, the soft glow of the lamp casting warm light over her silver hair.
Gianna all but collapsed beside Florence, sinking into the plush sofa with a defeated sigh, her head resting heavily against the apex. "How are the children? And Papa Bear?"
"All asleep. They waited for you for a while… Kathleen especially."
Gianna shut her eyes in mild frustration. She had hoped to catch the children awake, maybe help with their assignments—not that they ever needed much help.
She simply wanted to be around them; they always had a way of making her feel lighter, like the world wasn't weighing her down.
"You also missed Luca and Margret. They came around with Kendra."
