Vanessa guided Ethan and Emma towards their room. The twins were tired but reluctant to call it a day, dragging their feet with playful resistance.

“Mommy, just a few more minutes?” Ethan pleaded, clutching his well-loved stuffed lion tightly against his chest.

Vanessa crouched to his level, brushing a strand of his messy hair out of his eyes. “You’ve had such a busy day, Ethan. Your body needs sleep so you can grow big and strong.”

Emma, holding her blanket like a cape, sighed dramatically as she climbed onto the bed. “But Uncle Riccardo’s still here,” she mumbled, pouting.

From the doorway, Riccardo’s warm chuckle filled the room. He leaned...