Mia did a double take when she saw Anya. "Anya, how did you get here?" she asked, surprised. It was odd for Anya to be here at this time—she wasn't studying or looking for Leo. She had come to Mia's house instead, hadn't even seen her beloved son, and yet she was patiently waiting.
"Um... Chad gave me a ride," Anya replied.
Then Anya asked, "Aunt Mia, when will Uncle Andre be home from work?"
Mia quickly sent a message to her husband: "Come home early, Anya's here. Seems like she wants to see you."
Around seven o'clock, Andre came home, carrying their child in one arm.
As soon as he stepped inside, he saw his niece sitting on the couch. Andre switched his shoes in the foyer, and little Henry bent down, curiously watching his dad change into slippers. Henry then lifted his own tiny feet, wanting his dad to take off his shoes too, babbling, "Dada."
Andre, still holding his son in one arm, untied Henry's shoelaces with the other hand and placed the small shoes on the top shelf of the shoe rack. He then walked to the living room couch and handed Henry over to his wife, whom the boy hadn't seen all day.
Henry, ever the forgiving child, had already forgotten yesterday's scolding. He got excited the moment he saw his mom, waving his little arms energetically.
Andre sat down next to his wife. "How did Anya get here?"
"Chad brought me over," Anya replied.
Andre nodded in acknowledgment.
Mia stood up. "Alright, since you guys are back, let's go have dinner together."
The family of three, along with Anya, headed to the dining room. Anya wanted to sit next to Henry, having missed feeding him his baby cereal for days. Tonight, she insisted on doing it herself. "Uncle, thank you," she said.
The man at the head of the table, wearing a dark purple shirt, paused mid-bite at his niece's gratitude. "Thank what?"
Anya, holding Henry's spoon, looked at Andre and said, "It's not really me who should be thanking."
Andre paused, seemingly understanding something but chose not to comment.
Anya, too, remained silent, following Chad's instructions.
Mia's eyes darted between her husband and niece. She then moved closer to her husband, teasing, "Honey."
Andre, focused on his meal, offered Mia a bite. "Eat up."
Henry, wanting to join the adults at the main table, pushed away the food Anya was feeding him and cried out for his parents' dishes.
After dinner, the weather was pleasantly mild. Anya spent some time playing with Henry at home.
When it was time for Mia to go to bed, Anya got ready to leave. "Aunt Mia, I'm heading out. I'll come by again after I've done some more studying."
Andre came downstairs. "It's late, why don't you just stay here tonight? Tomorrow, you can study with your aunt. It's just the two of you college students in the house now."
Molly and Leo had finished their studies early and started working when Mia gave birth. Only these two students were left to take care of, along with the ever-hungry Henry.
Anya looked conflicted. Mia noticed and gently pulled her husband aside. "If you really want to leave, we won't stop you. Just let us know when you get home."
Anya nodded, threw on her backpack, and ran off.
Not far from the house, she saw car lights turn on and happily ran towards them.
"Chad, mission accomplished!" she exclaimed.
Leo looked at his excited girlfriend and smiled. "You look so happy. Want a reward?"
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