Several years later.
Cornelia and her friends were all caught up in the whirlwind of their busy lives. Getting the four families together was no easy feat, so they made a pact: no matter how hectic things got, they would always reunite on the eve of the New Year.
Today was December 28th, and after the last shipment of farm produce was sent off, Skyler raced home without a moment's delay.
Cornelia and Jeremy, Hannah and Steven, along with Rosie and Lucas, had arrived with their kids bright and early that morning.
Skyler had been swamped with work, unable to spend time with them, and she felt terrible about it. She drove like the wind, covering the usual fifteen-minute drive in less than ten.
As her car rolled into the driveway, the tantalizing aroma of food wafted into her nostrils, and the laughter of children echoed in her ears.d2
The men were bustling in the kitchen, the women were lounging in the yard sipping tea and basking in the sun, and the kids were frolicking about. It was a scene of harmony, warmth, and bliss.
"Hope, let's race with Puff Puff, okay?"
A three-year-old girl chased after a fluffy little dog. A nine-year-old boy followed her closely, worried she might fall, but he didn't interrupt her fun by voicing his concerns.
Skyler watched the pair with an affectionate smile spreading across her face.
Hope, that little rascal, was a chip off the old block, resembling his dad in looks and demeanor. He already carried himself with a maturity beyond his years.
"Ms. Skyler, you're back!" Hope, the polite boy, greeted her.
Skyler nodded, "Yeah, keep an eye on Lola for me, will you? I'm going to find your..."
Before she could finish, Hope had already taken off after his little friend.
Rosie bounded over to Skyler with a childlike excitement, wrapping her in a bear hug, "My dear Skyler, you're finally here."
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