"Then go cry in the bathroom," Ruby deadpanned.
Karl gasped, clutching his chest. "Wife! That’s so cruel! I was expecting a warm hug!"
"You’ll get one when you deserve it," she muttered.
Milo leaned forward. "Does that mean we can talk about sharing days with you??"
Ruby turned to him and smiled. "Exactly. Everyone gets time with me. Not on a strict plan, but as naturally as possible."
Julian nodded. "That sounds fair."
Karl raised his hand again. "Can we vote that Julian stops making us do leg stretches in the morning? He says it’s healthy but I think it’s a slow, silent attack on my ghost bones."
"No one’s voting on morning stretches," Julian said calmly, sipping water. "They stay."
"You’re a tyrant," Karl whispered.
Ruby shook her head but smiled faintly.
"You’re all idiots," she said fondly. "But you’re my idiots."
That was when Karl leapt up and threw himself at her, hugging her tightly.
"I love you, wife!" he shouted dramatically. "This family is weird, but it’s perfect!"
Julian looked away, a small smile playing on his lips.
Adrian quietly stood and walked over to Ruby. He didn’t say anything, just placed a hand on her shoulder, firm and reassuring.
Milo followed, wrapping his arms around her waist from the side. "Thank you, wife... for not giving up on us."
Ruby closed her eyes for a second. The warmth around her, the weight of their hands, their presence—it made everything feel a little lighter.
"I’m not perfect," she said. "But I’m trying. For all of us."
When Karl received the letter from Soulstream Production, he was jumping up and down nervously in the living room, clinging to the envelope like it contained his entire future. "Wife’s at the office... Brother adi too," he muttered, pacing in circles. "I can’t open this alone! My hands are shaking!" He immediately rushed over to Julian, shoving the envelope into his hands with trembling fingers. "Jules! You read it! My hands are shaking too much! I’ll ruin it!"
Julian blinked, both hands catching the letter. "Okay, okay... calm down."
Before he could even break the seal, Milo peeked out from the hallway, already curious from all the noise. "What’s going on?" he asked, eyes wide.
"Brother Karl got a reply from Soulstream!!" Julian said, carefully tearing the envelope.
"Okk!!" Milo squealed, skipping into the room to stand beside Karl, who was chewing on the sleeve of his robe in suspense.
Julian unfolded the letter and began to read. His eyes widened slightly as he scanned the contents, lips twitching.
Karl couldn’t take it anymore. "What? What?? Why are you quiet! Did they reject me?! Is it a polite ’no’? Did they say I’m too weird?!"
Julian looked up, and this time he was smiling softly. "They offered you the role, Brother Karl."
"You got it," Julian said again, more clearly. "They said your performance had something raw and real... not perfect, but honest. You’re officially cast."
Karl’s jaw dropped open. "I— I got it?!"
Then came the explosion. "I GOT IT!!! AHHHH!!!"
He shrieked, spinning in circles so fast he nearly knocked over a chair. Milo giggled and grabbed his hand to dance with him.
"I’m going to be in a Soulstream drama! I’m ACTUALLY going to be on the screen!!" Karl shouted, arms flailing with excitement. "I’m going to be famous!!"
Julian laughed under his breath, folding the letter back. "They really liked your expressions... said you brought something unexpected to the scene. Your lines may have stumbled, but they saw potential."
Karl dropped to his knees like he’d been blessed by the gods. "Thank you! Thank you, Great Spirits of Performance!!"
Milo jumped up and down next to him. "You did it! We should throw a party!"
"Yes! A party! A proper one! With sweet drinks and flower garlands and roasted buns!" Karl gasped. "We can make a ’Congratulations Karl’ banner out of paper scraps!"
Julian shook his head fondly. "Try not to turn the living room into a theater stage."
Karl pointed at him dramatically. "You say that now, but wait until people from the village start recognizing me on the street. I’ll need a cloak with a hood. And a pen to sign autographs. Maybe even a signature bow!"
Milo laughed so hard he rolled onto the floor.
Julian simply picked up a dishcloth and tossed it gently at Karl’s head. "Don’t get ahead of yourself, rising star."
Karl held the cloth to his chest like a medal. "Do you think Wife will be proud of me? Like, really proud?"
Julian’s gaze softened. "She already is. But this... this will make her heart burst."
Karl’s grin wobbled a little, suddenly overwhelmed by emotion. "I really did it, huh? I wanted to make her proud. I wanted her to see that I’m not just silly or careless. That I can do something... big."
Julian walked over and ruffled his hair. "You already did, Karl."
Karl’s eyes lit up again. "I’ll practice even more now! I’ll memorize every line! I’ll rehearse with trees if no one wants to help me!"
Milo gave him a proud thumbs-up. "You’re going to shine, Brother Karl!"
Karl blinked, then whispered, "Do you think Wife will cry when she sees the letter?"
Julian smiled. "She’ll probably cry, kiss your forehead, and then tell you not to brag too much."
Karl clasped his hands dreamily. "That’s perfect..."
Milo walked over quietly and wrapped his arms around Karl in a tight, warm hug. His chin rested gently on Karl’s shoulder.
"I’m proud of you, Brother Karl," he said in a soft, sincere voice, his eyes twinkling with emotion. "Really proud."
Karl froze for a second.
Then his whole body melted, like someone had just poured sunlight into his chest. His arms wrapped back around Milo without hesitation, and his voice cracked slightly as he spoke.
"Milo... you can’t just say that without warning! Do you want me to cry again?!" he sniffled dramatically, clutching him tighter. "This is the nicest thing anyone’s said to me all day!"
Milo giggled against his shoulder. "Well, it’s true."
Julian, standing by the table, watched them with a soft expression. He didn’t say anything, but his smile said enough.
To be continued... 🪄