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Dinner at the Monroe house was always an event, but tonight felt like walking through a minefield. Kael and Gerald sat across from each other at the long wooden table, doing their best to be civil. Despite their efforts, the pressure ebbed and flowed like a tide, pushing and pulling with each exchange.

Missy was doing her best to keep the conversation light, but she couldn't even smooth over the rough edges. I glanced at Kael, catching him glaring at his father, who pretended not to notice.

The whole evening was a back-and-forth of polite remarks that hinted at underlying frustrations.

It was exhausting.

Koda and Kage were the true stars of the evening. The moment the plates hit the table, they were up and darting around like little hurricanes. They bounced from person to person, weaving their grand plans for when my twins finally arrived.

"Sky, do you think they'll be old enough to build treehouses with us?" Koda asked, tugging at my sleeve, his eyes wide with excitement.

"Ma