"A little in love with all of them," Adam reads. He doesn't quite look Blue in the eye, nor does he find any reason to question what she says. Of them all, hers is the simplest and truest fact and it's true of all of them too.

They're family now and more besides, even if it comes out in different ways.

Except now he doesn't know who to reach for first. They all stand there, quietly devastated, surrounded by the remnants of what should have been a good day.

It's almost a relief when Copper charges in, tail wagging, and steals three pancakes from off the table in one bite.