The sun blazed overhead, its heat intense, while a gentle summer breeze played across the faces of two young children.

Briony wore a soft beige sundress and a floppy bucket hat, a protective mask covering the lower half of her face.

She took a few steps forward, crouched down, and opened her arms wide, ready to welcome her two children-

James, seeing this, set Little Nina gently on the ground.

Little Nina and her brother, Mario, charged towards Briony with all the speed their little legs could muster.

Standing beside Briony, Stewart watched the two bundles of energy barrel toward their mother. Worried they might knock her over, he stepped forward and intercepted them just in time.

The kids couldn't stop themselves and crashed right into Stewart, each grabbing onto one of his long legs.

"Whoa!"

"Ow!"

Both children looked up in surprise.

Stewart glanced down at them, his narrow eyes softening, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

a while, Little

their hair with both hands, his touch

kids stared up at him, frozen

few seconds, Little Nina was the first to

"Daddy!"

bounced on her toes, arms

and scooped his daughter into his arms, his voice full

planting a kiss

looked down at Mario, tousling his hair again. "Mario, didn't you miss

hugging Stewart's leg, quiet

shock was much bigger than for his sister. To him, it was as if his dad had gone away to become a star in the sky, and now, suddenly, he was back-no longer a distant star, but right

many questions and feelings swirled in his little

still crouched nearby,

into a gentle embrace, stroking his soft cheek, and whispered in his ear, "Daddy never turned into a star. He's always been just fine. He's made enough money now, so

Mario turned to

gaze. His eyes were full of tenderness. "Do you want a

All the emotions he'd been holding back

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