The afternoon sun hung low over the playground, painting everything in gold.Elena sat on a wooden bench near the swings, watching Sofia fly back and forth. Her daughter's laugh carried on the wind, bright and free, the sound of pure joy. Small legs pumped, dark curls flew, Mr. Fluffy waited on the bench between Elena and Alexander, supervising.It was Wednesday. School pickup was done. Sofia had begged for the park, and Elena had said yes. Alexander had been walking by—or so he said. Elena suspected he'd planned it. But he hadn't pushed. Hadn't assumed. Had just... appeared."Do you mind?" he'd asked, gesturing at the bench."No," she'd said. And meant it.So they sat together, not touching, just present, watching their daughter play.---The swing creaked in rhythm. Sofia sang to herself, some made-up song about unicorns and rainbows."She's getting so big," Alexander said quietly."She is. Five next month.""I can't believe it." He shook his head slowly. "Feels like yesterday she w
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