? | TWO YOUNG HEARTS ? ????? ??????

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A BEEPING SOUND ECHOED IN THE CAVERLY HOUSE. Light smoke drifted into the air, the smoke setting off the detectors that awoke Alissa and her brothers from a deep slumber, an hour before they were meant to wake up for school. Groggily, the three teens made their way down the staircase, bumping into each other's shoulders when seeing both of their parents moving around in the kitchen, Scott watching his wife fan a pan that contained burnt bacon, a rag in his hands.

Scott lightly chuckled at her awful yet appreciated attempt at cooking, turning to the alarm to turn it off when his eyes landed on his children instead. He widely smiled, his hand lifting to air and his arm quickly moving back and forth, fanning the rag in front of the alarm that finally quieted it down.

"Mornin' kids," Scott greeted, his glasses perched on the tip of his nose. His graying hair was flat on top of his head. A wrinkly shirt was thrown over his shoulders and plaid red and blue pajama pants went down just past his ankles. He hadn't put much effort into his looks, only brushing his teeth before following his wife down the stairs to make a surprise breakfast for their kids.

Kelli spun around at his greeting, tiredly smiling at her children. "Hey, c'mon, come sit down!" She encouraged, motioning to the table for them to sit.

They didn't move an inch.

Kelli playfully rolled her eyes and brushed a few stray pieces of her hair behind her ear. Wet water spots were dotted on her pink tank top, red pajama pants rolled up to her knees and matching socks slid up at her ankles. Her blonde hair was still slightly knotted in the back of her head, but the kids couldn't get over the fact their parents were still home to notice either of their carefree appearances.

"Please, sit. Breakfast is done!" The woman cheerfully chirped.

Slowly, Alissa and her brothers moved forward, sitting in their normal seats at the table. Scott sat down across from Carter, smiling once again. Carter stole a glance towards Alissa, almost frightened by the happy moods both of their parents were in, and because they were still at home rather than at work. "I hope none of you were hoping for bacon," Scott chuckled, hearing his wife scoff. His eyes glanced over his kids' face, his smiling falling when none of them laughed, or even appeared to be a little happy that they were home. "What? What's wrong?"

"You're home," Brian stated like it was the most obvious thing in the world, eyes wide. Alissa and Carter faintly nodded in agreement when Scott glanced to them for confirmation.

"Why?" Carter bluntly asked, eyebrows furrowed together. Kelli set some food in the middle of the table along with the plates for them to use. Kelli's eyes went to Scott, her hand going to rest on his when she sat down beside him.

"We want to spend more time with you three," Kelli answered. "We know—"

"We—especially me—know we haven't been the best parents," Scott interrupted, wanting to be the one to talk to them. Carter snorted under his breath, but Scott chose to ignore it, sadly smiling at the unsure faces of his and Kelli's kids. "And we want to try and make up for it."