“Good, really good,” Elaine answered.

Jonah nodded and swallowed a mouthful of wine before adding, “I’m actually teaching Miranda Mandarin.” Ignoring the incredulous and somewhat amused expression of the brunette, Jonah went on, “I think it’s really important for a child to experience using another language… and she’s picking it up really well, actually.”  

The conversation was broken as Casey and Robbie re-entered the living room, followed by a swarm of chirping children. “Leah, Nicky, I think it’s time for bed now,” Helena stated, sitting up on the sofa and watching as Nicky, trying to ignore his mother’s words, ran around to the other side of the room with his toy gun, chasing after Paulie, who’s fine curls bounced as he ran. Grabbing his little girl and kissing her, Robbie tickled Leah until she cried with laughter and set her down, watching her pad over to hold Helena’s hand. 

“I’ll see you in the morning,” Robbie then said to Nicky, lifting him into his arms and giving him a quick kiss before placing the little boy down again, only for him to hopefully ignore the call of bedtime. 

“Daddy, I don’t want to go to bed yet,” Miranda whispered, shuffling on Jonah’s knee and resting her head over his chest. 

“You can have an extra half hour, then, okay princess?” Jonah offered while Elaine lifted a struggling Paulie into her arms and began to take him upstairs, followed by Helena and Leah.

“Nicky, come on, darling, it’s bedtime,” Helena called, pausing at the threshold until Nicky reluctantly followed. 

“Good night, angel,” Helena smiled as she placed a kiss over her daughter’s forehead.

“Night, mummy,” Leah mumbled back, hugging a doll to her chest as she settled beneath her duvet. Standing up from the little bed, Helena moved over to where Nicky was tossing and gently took the plastic gun from him, placing it on a set of drawers. “It’ll be there in the morning,” She told him, running her fingers through his fine strands of blonde hair, “night, night, baby.” 

“Night, mum,” Nicky replied, waiting until his mother and aunt had left the room and switched off the light before closing his eyes.