Itsy Bitsy Spider

River pushed aside the unsettling question about Annemarie's gaze. She decided the events of the day were getting to her and keeping her on the edge.

Rain's half-eaten cookie lay abandoned on the armchair, its chocolatey scent mingling with the warmth of the fireplace. It was definitely past bedtime.

Walking towards them, River addressed Annemarie with a whiff of exhaustion in her voice. "Thank you so much, Annemarie. Rain really needs her sleep now."

Annemarie looked up from her book, her smile crinkling the corners of her eyes. "Of course, dear. Rain, come say goodnight to your mother."

Rain, still snuggled in the armchair, reached for another cookie but stopped at her mother's words. "Nighty-night, Leo," she chirped, offering a sloppy wave in the direction of the boy sprawled on the rug.

Leo, with nose buried deep in his picture book, mumbled a barely audible response. But before River could remind Rain about manners, Rain surprised everyone.

Rain hopped off the armchair, the hal