Ichika's POV
The drive back from the airport had been full of chatter and laughter, and now, as we pulled into the driveway, a familiar warmth settled over me. Home. Amber was home.
Ken helped unload the luggage from the trunk while I guided Amber and Ian inside. Evalie was already skipping ahead, excited to show her mother everything that had changed since she last visited—which wasn’t much, honestly, but to a child, every new drawing on the fridge or new pillow on the couch was a big deal.
"Go on and wash your hands, sweetheart," I told Evalie, smiling as she dashed off. "Lunch is almost ready."
I ushered Amber and Ian into the dining room. "You both must be starving. Sit, sit. Let me get everything on the table."
"Ichika, you really didn’t have to go through all this trouble," Amber said, a little breathless as she sank into one of the chairs.
"Nonsense," I replied, waving her off. "You think I’d let my daughter return home after six years and not welcome her properly? Not a chance
