Chapter 96: saturday morning

Sunlight filtered through the curtains as Mrs. Faulkner bustled around the kitchen, flipping pancakes and pouring juice. The scent of maple syrup and fresh coffee filled the air as she set the table.

One by one, the boys trickled into the kitchen. Jordan was the first, moving carefully with his injured leg as he took his seat. He still hated relying on help, but he’d learned to accept it—at least for now.

Jake and Alex followed next, yawning and rubbing their eyes. Tyler, still in baby mode from the night before, waddled in with his thumb in his mouth, clutching his favorite stuffed animal. Finally, Evan trotted in, fully awake and ready for the day.

“Morning, boys,” Mrs. Faulkner greeted them. “Hope you're hungry.”

Tyler climbed into his seat, grinning. “Pannycakes!” he giggled.

Mrs. Faulkner chuckled. “Yes, pancakes. And plenty of them.”

As the boys dug in, conversation buzzed around the table.

“So, what’s the plan for today?” Jake asked between bites.

Mrs. Faulkner sipped her coffee before answering. “Well, I figured we’d have a relaxing morning, then maybe head to the park for some fresh air.”

Jordan frowned slightly. “I can’t really do much at the park.”

“I know, sweetheart,” she said gently. “But you can still enjoy being outside. We can bring a blanket, and you can just relax while the others play.”

Jordan sighed but nodded. It was better than being cooped up all day.

“Can we bring the soccer ball?” Evan asked excitedly.

“Yes, but you boys, be careful. I don’t want any more injuries.”

“Yes, Mom,” they chorused.

As breakfast was finishing up, Tyler suddenly snapped back into his teenage mind. His last memory was hearing Evan talk about daycare. He blinked a few times, looking around the table in confusion. “Wait… what day is it?”

Jordan raised an eyebrow. “Saturday morning. You’ve been in baby mode since last night.”

Tyler’s face flushed as he processed the information. “Oh… great.”

Mrs. Faulkner gave him a reassuring smile. “It’s okay, sweetie. Just get yourself ready for the day.”

Just then, the door to the garage opened, and Miss Harper walked in, wiping her hands on an old rag. She was covered in oil and grease from working on her Impala. She glanced at the boys and smirked. “I’m gonna go clean up, then I’ll help with diaper changes.”

Mrs. Faulkner chuckled. “Sounds like a plan.”

As the boys scattered to get dressed, Mrs. Faulkner packed a small bag with snacks, drinks, and a first-aid kit—just in case. She made sure Jordan had everything he needed before loading them all into the car.

Before they could leave, she did a round of diaper checks. All the diapered boys had used their diapers. Jake, Alex, and Evan were wet, but Tyler had suffered a full blowout. Mrs. Faulkner sighed, shaking her head. “Looks like we’ve got some serious cleanup to do before we go anywhere.”

Miss Harper, now fresh from cleaning up, stepped in with a teasing grin. “Guess I showed up just in time.”

With teamwork, they got all the boys cleaned up and into fresh diapers. Mrs. Faulkner kissed each of them on the forehead before finally herding them toward the car.

Tyler buckled himself in, relieved that he hadn’t needed the car seat since his punishment, while the others secured their seat belts. As the minivan rolled down the street, excitement filled the air.

When they arrived at the park, the boys piled out, stretching their legs and taking in the fresh air. As they made their way toward the grassy field, they spotted a familiar face—Noah, who was already there playing with a soccer ball. Standing beside him, looking relaxed in casual clothes, was Detective Singer, clearly enjoying his day off.

“Well, look who it is,” Jordan said with a smirk.

Noah grinned and waved them over. Detective Singer gave a nod, his usual serious demeanor softened by the weekend atmosphere. “Morning, boys. Out for some fun?”

“Yeah,” Evan said. “Figured we’d kick the ball around and get some fresh air.”

“Sounds like a good plan,” Detective Singer said. “Just be careful—no more injuries.” He shot Jordan a knowing look.

Jordan rolled his eyes. “Yeah, yeah, I know. No running, no falling, no fun.”

Mrs. Faulkner chuckled as she spread out a blanket for Jordan to sit on. “You can still enjoy yourself, just at a safe distance.”

As the boys ran off to play, Jordan settled onto the blanket, watching them with a mixture of amusement and longing. He might not be able to join in, but at least he wasn’t stuck at home.

Detective Singer then turned to Mrs. Faulkner and Miss Harper, lowering his voice. “Noah hasn’t stopped talking about the thing he and Evan do in daycare, and he wants to host the next sleepover. I’ll tell you what—I’ve got my exam tomorrow. It got pushed up due to some scheduling issues, but after I pass and become captain, I’d be glad to host. All the boys can come if they want.”

Mrs. Faulkner and Miss Harper exchanged glances before smiling. “That sounds like a great idea,” Mrs. Faulkner said. “I’m sure they’d love that.”

Two hours passed, and the sound of engines rumbling into the parking lot drew everyone’s attention. A line of brightly colored food trucks pulled in, their windows opening as the smell of delicious food drifted through the park.

Detective Singer grinned as he stretched. “Well, would you look at that? Looks like today is the park’s monthly food truck day. How about some lunch, everyone?”

The boys erupted in cheers as they eagerly ran toward the trucks, ready to enjoy the next part of their day. Mrs. Faulkner and Miss Harper followed with amused smiles, happy to see them all in such good spirits. It was shaping up to be a perfect Saturday.

Here's the continuation of your story:

---

As the boys sprinted toward the food trucks, Mrs. Faulkner called out, “Slow down, boys! Wait for everyone else!”

They skidded to a halt, bouncing on their heels as they waited impatiently for the adults to catch up. Detective Singer chuckled. “Excited, huh?”

Evan grinned. “Duh! Look at all this food!”

The variety was overwhelming—there was a taco truck, a gyro stand, a gourmet grilled cheese truck, and one serving up smoky barbecue. The air was thick with the scent of sizzling meats, melted cheese, and warm spices.

“All right,” Miss Harper said, wiping her hands on her jeans. “Let’s do this in an orderly fashion. Pick what you want, and we’ll help you order.”

Noah tugged on Detective Singer’s sleeve. “Can I get tacos?”

Singer smirked. “Of course, bud. You want the usual?”

Noah nodded eagerly, while the other boys debated their choices.

Jake and Alex practically drooled as they eyed the grilled cheese menu. “Gotta go with the triple cheese melt,” Jake declared.

Alex nodded. “And tomato soup!”

Tyler, still holding Jordan’s hand, glanced at the gyro truck, intrigued. “What’s in those?”

“Lamb or chicken, with pita and sauce,” Miss Harper explained.

Tyler wrinkled his nose. “Hmm. Maybe just barbecue.”

Evan, after much deliberation, chose a brisket sandwich, and Jordan opted for a plate of ribs.

Mrs. Faulkner made sure everyone had their food before leading them to a shady picnic table nearby. Plates were set down, drinks were passed around, and soon the only sounds were the occasional hums of satisfaction as the boys dug in.

“This is amazing,” Alex mumbled through a mouthful of grilled cheese.

“Worth the wait,” Evan agreed, licking barbecue sauce off his fingers.

As they ate, Detective Singer glanced at Mrs. Faulkner. “So, about that sleepover… think you’ll let all the boys come?”

She chuckled. “I think it’d be good for them. But we’ll see if they behave first.”

Jordan rolled his eyes but smirked. “Guess we better be on our best behavior, huh?”

Tyler giggled, and the boys continued to enjoy their food, already looking forward to what the rest of the day had in store.

Detective Singer leaned back against the picnic table, wiping his hands on a napkin. “Well, I was planning on taking Noah grocery shopping after we hang out here for a bit. Figured I’d let him pick out some supplies for his sleepover.” He turned to the boys. “Anything specific you all want to eat or drink for it?”

Jake and Alex immediately perked up. “S’mores!” Jake blurted.

“Oh yeah,” Alex agreed. “We need marshmallows, chocolate, and graham crackers.”

Evan thought for a moment. “Can we get some chips and dip too? Maybe those spicy ones?”

Tyler, still munching on his barbecue sandwich, added, “Can we get those little mini pizzas? The ones you bake?”

Noah grinned, nodding along as he mentally took notes. “Good choices.”

Detective Singer smirked. “I’ll make sure we grab all that. Anything else?”

Jordan, sipping his drink, shrugged. “As long as there’s soda, I’m good.”

Singer chuckled and turned to Mrs. Faulkner. “Speaking of which, I was wondering—would you mind watching Noah while I take my captain’s exam tomorrow? It got pushed up, and I don’t want to drag him along to the station.”

Mrs. Faulkner smiled warmly. “Of course. He’s always welcome with us.”

Noah beamed. “Sweet! More time with everyone.”

“Thanks, I appreciate it,” Singer said. “It’ll probably take a few hours, so I’ll pick him up in the afternoon.”

“No rush,” Mrs. Faulkner assured him. “We’ll keep him entertained.”

With that settled, the group finished up their lunch, enjoying the warm afternoon air and each other’s company. The boys were already chattering about the upcoming sleepover, excitement buzzing in the air.

After finishing their lunch, the boys wiped their hands on napkins and tossed their trash in the nearby bins. Noah kicked a small rock by his foot and looked at Evan. “Wanna go play on the swings for a bit?”

Evan grinned. “Yeah, race you there!”

The two took off toward the playground, laughing as they sprinted across the grass. Jake, Alex, and Tyler followed behind, eager to climb the jungle gym and go down the slides.

Mrs. Faulkner and Miss Harper took a seat at a shaded picnic table while Detective Singer stood nearby, sipping a bottle of water. He kept an eye on the boys as they ran around, making sure none of them got too rough.

Jordan, still unable to join in on the running and climbing, stayed on the blanket, stretching his leg carefully. He wasn’t bitter—at least, not too much—but he couldn’t wait to be fully healed.

Tyler clambered up the monkey bars and called down to Jordan. “Bet you wish you could be up here!”

Jordan smirked. “Yeah, yeah, rub it in.”

“You’ll be back up here soon enough,” Mrs. Faulkner assured him with a gentle smile.

As the boys played, Evan and Noah took turns pushing each other on the swings, their laughter ringing through the air. Jake and Alex were playing an intense game of tag, dodging around the slides, while Tyler was busy making a “fort” underneath the jungle gym with some loose sticks and leaves.

After a while, Detective Singer checked his watch. “Alright, boys, let’s start wrapping it up soon.”

“Aww, already?” Noah pouted.

“Yeah, we’ve been here for a few hours,” Mrs. Faulkner said. “And some of you could probably use a rest.” She glanced meaningfully at Tyler, who was starting to look a little drowsy despite his protests.

Jake and Alex sighed but nodded. “Okay,” Jake said. “But can we at least do one last round of tag?”

Mrs. Faulkner smiled. “One last round.”

The boys burst into action, dashing around the playground one final time, their energy seeming endless. Jordan shook his head, watching them with amusement.

As the last game of tag came to an end, the group slowly made their way back toward the minivan. The sun was starting to dip slightly in the sky, casting long shadows over the park.

“Alright,” Detective Singer said, ruffling Noah’s hair. “I’ll take you boys grocery shopping and then drop you off.”

“Sweet,” Noah grinned. “Sleepover shopping spree!”

As they piled into the vehicles, Mrs. Faulkner buckled everyone in, making sure Tyler, now yawning heavily, was secure.

With the park adventure coming to a close, the excitement for the upcoming sleepover was just beginning.

Evan took a deep breath before continuing. “Mike was already in a bad mood, and I guess he was looking to take it out on someone. He kept glaring at Jordan, and then—out of nowhere—he chucked an apple straight at his head.”

Mrs. Faulkner’s eyes widened, and her expression turned to stone. “It hit him in the head?”

Jordan nodded, rubbing the side of his head as if remembering the impact. “Yeah. It wasn’t hard enough to knock me out or anything, but it definitely wasn’t an accident.”

Mrs. Faulkner’s grip tightened on the arm of her chair. “And what happened next?”

Evan swallowed. “Jordan was stunned for a second, and Mike was laughing like it was the funniest thing in the world. Then, before I could react, he came up behind me and yanked my waistband so high I nearly fell over the lunch table.”

Mrs. Faulkner’s jaw clenched. “And no one stepped in?”

“Coach Bryant did,” Jordan said quickly. “He caught everything and made Mike run laps for the rest of the day. Then, i heard he gave him the worst conditioning drills I’ve ever heard of. Push ups, sit ups, jumping jack, and burpees, 1000 each after all his laps abd and he had weights attached for his laps. He was brutal.”

Mrs. Faulkner exhaled sharply, her anger barely contained. “That boy is lucky I wasn’t there. Throwing something at Jordan’s head and attacking Evan? That’s not just bullying—that’s assault.”

Jordan shifted uncomfortably. “Look, I’m not saying what he did was okay, but he already got kicked off the team. He’s paying for it.”

Mrs. Faulkner didn’t look satisfied, but she sighed, rubbing her temples. “I’m glad Coach handled it, but if he even looks at either of you the wrong way again, I want to know about it immediately. Got it?”

Evan and Jordan nodded quickly.

“Good.” She took another deep breath, clearly trying to calm herself down. “Now, go get cleaned up. Dinner will be ready soon.”

As they walked upstairs, Evan whispered to Jordan, “I think we just dodged a bullet.”

Jordan smirked. “Yeah. But if Mike even thinks about trying anything again, he’s gonna wish Coach was the worst of his problems.”

Mrs. Faulkner sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose as she looked between Jordan and Evan. She was relieved they had kept their voices low enough not to wake the others, but that didn’t change the fact that she was frustrated.

“I appreciate you boys keeping quiet, but what I don’t appreciate is finding out about things like this after the fact,” she said, her tone firm but not harsh. “Jordan, you got hit in the head with an apple. Evan, you were humiliated in front of the whole cafeteria. And yet, neither of you said a word to me about it until now.”

Evan shifted uncomfortably. “We didn’t want to make a big deal out of it.”

Mrs. Faulkner exhaled, shaking her head. “It is a big deal, Evan. You two went through that alone when you didn’t have to.”

Jordan looked down at his lap, his fingers drumming against the armrest. “It’s not like you could’ve done anything about it.”

Mrs. Faulkner softened slightly. “That’s not the point, sweetheart. I want to know what’s going on in your lives—good or bad. If something like this happens again, you tell me. Understood?”

Both boys nodded.

“Good,” she said, leaning back in her chair. “Now, let’s hope the rest of the day is a little less eventful.”

Jordan's eyes widened in surprise. “Wait, really? The cast is coming off tomorrow?”

Mrs. Faulkner smiled. “That’s right. The doctor called while we were at the park. Your appointment is first thing in the morning. After that, you’ll start physical therapy.”

Jordan let out a breath he didn’t realize he was holding. “Finally. This thing has been driving me crazy.”

Evan grinned. “Does that mean you’ll be up and running around soon?”

Mrs. Faulkner chuckled. “Not quite, Evan. He’s still got to go through physical therapy first, and that will take time.”

Jordan sighed but nodded. “Yeah, I figured. Still, it’s a step in the right direction.”

Mrs. Faulkner reached over and patted his hand. “Exactly. And I’ll be there every step of the way.”

Jordan gave a small smile. “Thanks, Mom.”

Just then, a small yawn came from the playpen as Jake stirred in his sleep, shifting slightly. Mrs. Faulkner lowered her voice. “Looks like we should keep it down. Let’s get you both settled for the evening. Tomorrow is going to be a big day.”

Mrs faulkner than went into the kitchen to start on dinner, Evan turned on the TV and then put the remote down, Jordan shifted in his seat and accidently sat on the remote increasing the volume making the TV very loud, Mrs faulkner said turn that down before you wake the others.

Evan quickly grabbed the remote and turned the volume down, glancing over at the playpen to see if the noise had disturbed the others. Jake and Tyler shifted slightly but remained asleep, while Alex let out a small whimper before settling back down.

Jordan winced. “Oops. Didn’t mean to do that.”

Mrs. Faulkner peeked her head out from the kitchen, giving Jordan a knowing look. “Be more careful next time. You boys may be awake, but the others still need their rest.”

Mrs. Faulkner then sais " if you want those boys before their naps are over you'll both be in big trouble."

Evan chuckled. “Maybe we should just put the remote somewhere safe before Jordan causes any more chaos.”

Jordan rolled his eyes but smirked. “Very funny.”

Mrs. Faulkner shook her head fondly before returning to preparing dinner. The scent of spices and simmering food soon filled the air, making Evan’s stomach growl.

Jordan stretched carefully, adjusting his leg. “So, what’s for dinner?”

Mrs. Faulkner called back, “Spaghetti and meatballs. Should be ready soon.”

Evan grinned. “Nice! I’m starving.”

As the house settled into a calm rhythm, the two boys relaxed, waiting for dinner while keeping their voices low to avoid waking the others.

Miss harper comes up behind Mrs faulkner and hands he diced peperoni and says my dad's secret ingredient did the sauce Jake and alex love it.

Mrs. Faulkner smiled as she took the diced pepperoni from Miss Harper. "Your dad always did know how to make a good sauce huh," she said, stirring it into the simmering pot. "No wonder Jake and Alex can never get enough of it."

Miss Harper chuckled, leaning against the counter. "They’ll probably ask for seconds before they even finish their first plate."

Mrs. Faulkner nodded knowingly. "That’s why I made extra. Those boys have bottomless stomachs when it comes to pasta."

The rich aroma of the sauce filled the kitchen, mixing with the warm scent of garlic bread toasting in the oven. Evan peeked in from the living room, sniffing the air. "That smells amazing," he said, his eyes lighting up.

"Almost ready," Mrs. Faulkner said with a smile. "Why don’t you and Jordan help set the table?"

Jordan sighed but nodded, pushing himself up carefully. "Fine, but I’m not carrying anything heavy with this leg."

Evan laughed. "Don’t worry, I got it."

As the two boys started setting out plates and silverware, Jake and Alex began stirring in the playpen, the scent of dinner slowly waking them from their nap.

Jake, Alex, and Tyler yawned and stretched as they sat up in the playpen, rubbing the sleep from their eyes. Mrs. Faulkner smiled at them and said, “Okay, sleepyheads, diaper checks first, then dinner.”

Jake and Alex groaned, still waking up, but obediently lay back so she could check them. “Wet,” she announced, giving each of them a pat on the hip. She turned to Tyler, who blushed as she checked him. “A little damp, but not too bad.”

Miss Harper grabbed the diaper bag and helped change them quickly, making sure they were all clean and dry before letting them head to the table. “All right, all fresh. Now go wash up for dinner.”

The boys scampered off to the sink while Evan and Jordan finished setting the table. The smell of pasta and garlic bread filled the air as Mrs. Faulkner brought over the big pot of spaghetti, setting it in the middle of the table.

“Dig in, boys,” she said with a smile as she served up plates. Jake and Alex immediately dove into their food, humming in delight as they tasted the familiar sauce.

"Miss Harper’s dad’s secret ingredient, huh?" Jordan smirked as he twirled his pasta.

Miss Harper grinned. "Told you it’s the best."

Dinner continued with laughter and stories about the day, the warmth of the meal making everything feel just right.

Jordan paused, his fork hovering over his plate. “I’d love to meet the man behind this sauce,” he said with a small smile.

Miss Harper’s expression softened. “He would have loved to meet you too, Jordan. But he passed a few years ago.” She sighed, then chuckled lightly. “That’s actually where I got my Impala. We worked on it together for years, and he left it to me in his will.”

Jordan nodded, sensing the emotion in her voice. “Sounds like he was a great guy.”

Miss Harper smiled. “He was. Taught me everything I know about cars and cooking. Every time I work on the Impala or make this sauce, it’s like he’s still here in a way.”

Mrs. Faulkner reached over and gave Miss Harper’s hand a gentle squeeze. “That’s a wonderful way to keep his memory alive.”

The table fell into a brief, thoughtful silence before Alex, mouth full of spaghetti, piped up, “Well, I think he made the best sauce ever.”

Laughter filled the room, and just like that, the moment turned warm again.

As Tyler took his first bite of spaghetti, his eyes widened, and a dreamy expression crossed his face. He let out a small, happy coo, dropping his fork and clapping his hands together.

Jake and Alex exchanged amused glances as Tyler giggled, rocking side to side in his seat. “Mmm… yummy!” he squealed, his voice slipping into a toddler-like tone.

Mrs. Faulkner sighed knowingly. “Well, I guess that sauce was *too* good,” she said, shaking her head with a small smile.

Miss Harper chuckled. “Guess my dad’s recipe has a new biggest fan.”

Tyler, now fully in baby mode, stuck his thumb in his mouth and reached for his sippy cup instead of his regular glass. Jordan groaned. “Not again…”

Evan snickered. “I dunno, I think it’s kinda funny.”

Mrs. Faulkner patted Tyler’s head. “Alright, sweetie, let’s finish dinner, then we’ll get you all cleaned up for the night.”

Tyler kicked his feet happily, completely lost in baby brain once again as the rest of the boys continued their meal.

Jordan then said you know what evan it kinda is because you never know when it's coming and he usually doesn't remember anything he does in it.

Evan laughed. "Yeah, it's like a surprise every time. One minute, he's normal Tyler, and the next, he's a giggling baby."

Tyler babbled happily around his thumb, completely oblivious to the conversation.

Miss Harper smirked. "Maybe I should start bottling this sauce if it's got *that* kind of effect."

Jordan chuckled. "You’d probably make a fortune… or at least keep Tyler permanently entertained."

Mrs. Faulkner smiled, but her voice was gentle. "Let’s just focus on finishing dinner, boys. Then we’ll get everyone ready for bed."

Evan nudged Jordan. "Still, at least it’s harmless. I mean, it’s way better than dealing with Mike throwing apples."

Jordan sighed. "Yeah… guess I’d rather deal with baby-brained Tyler than a bruised head."

Tyler giggled again, kicking his feet under the table as he focused on slurping up noodles. Mrs. Faulkner just shook her head fondly, knowing it was going to be another interesting night.

As they finished dinner miss harper wiped Jake and alex mouths off, Evan wiped his own mouth and Mrs faulkner had to wipe tylers entire face clean as he some how got sauce on his forehead.

Mrs. Faulkner chuckled as she wiped Tyler’s face. “How do you even manage this, sweetheart? I swear, you get more food on yourself than in your mouth.”

Tyler just giggled, still in his baby-brained state, kicking his feet under the table.

Miss Harper smirked as she tossed the napkins into the trash. “At least it means he enjoyed it.”

Evan stretched, glancing over at Jordan. “So, what now? Movie night?”

Mrs. Faulkner started gathering plates. “I think it’s time for baths and getting ready for bed first.”

Jake and Alex groaned, but they knew there was no arguing with her.

“Come on, boys,” Miss Harper said playfully. “Let’s get you all cleaned up before you turn into walking spaghetti sauce stains.”

As Mrs. Faulkner picked up Tyler, who was still giggling, Jordan smirked. “Just don’t let Tyler drown in the tub. He’s about as aware as a toddler right now.”

Evan laughed. “Yeah, maybe put some floaties on him just in case.”

Mrs. Faulkner shook her head, amused but determined. “Alright, enough teasing. Upstairs, all of you.”

With that, she herded them toward the bathroom, preparing for yet another lively bedtime routine.

Miss harper bathed Jake Alex and Tyler,  afterwards she asked Evan if he wanted to be bathed or take a shower like jordan.

Evan thought for a moment before shaking his head. “I’ll take a shower like Jordan.”

Miss Harper nodded. “Alright, go on then. Towels are already in the bathroom.”

As Evan headed off, Miss Harper helped Jake, Alex, and Tyler into fresh diapers and pajamas. Tyler, still in his baby state, cooed happily as she dressed him in a soft onesie.

Meanwhile, Jordan had already finished his shower and was carefully making his way back to his room, his crutches clicking against the floor. Mrs. Faulkner met him at the door to make sure he was alright before heading back to check on the younger boys.

When Evan finished his shower and joined the others, Miss Harper smiled. “Alright, everyone’s clean, fresh, and ready for bed.”

Mrs. Faulkner clapped her hands lightly. “Okay, boys, pick out a bedtime story, and let’s settle in.”

Jake and Alex ran to the bookshelf, while Tyler clung to Miss Harper, still giggling softly. Evan flopped onto the couch, drying his hair with a towel.

Jordan smirked. “Think you’ll snap out of it before morning, Tyler?”

Tyler just stuck his thumb in his mouth and curled up next to Miss Harper.

Miss Harper chuckled. “Guess that answers that.”

Mrs. Faulkner shook her head, amused but loving, as she settled in to read. “Alright, let’s get started.”

The boys quieted down as she opened the book, their eyes growing heavy with each word. It had been a long, eventful day, but as they snuggled up in their blankets, they were warm, safe, and home.

By the end of the story Jake, Alex, Tyler, even Evan were all asleep, Mrs faulkner took Jake and alex up to bed,  miss harper handled Tyler, Jordan nudged Evan with his crutches telling him come on man time for bed.

Evan groggily blinked awake at Jordan’s nudge, mumbling incoherently as he slowly sat up. Rubbing his eyes, he yawned and stretched before reluctantly getting to his feet.

“Alright, alright, I’m going,” Evan muttered sleepily.

Mrs. Faulkner and Miss Harper had already carried the younger boys to bed, tucking them in with soft goodnight kisses. Jordan followed Evan up the stairs, making sure he didn’t stumble in his half-asleep state.

When they reached their rooms, Jordan smirked. “You good, or do I gotta tuck you in too?”

Evan rolled his eyes but grinned. “I’m good, thanks.” He climbed into bed, pulling the covers up as he got comfortable.

Jordan leaned against the doorframe, his crutches supporting him. “Night, man.”

“Night,” Evan mumbled, already drifting off.

Jordan shook his head with a small chuckle before heading to his own room. As the house settled into peaceful quiet, Mrs. Faulkner did one last check on each of the boys before turning off the lights.

Another long day had ended, and tomorrow would bring new adventures. But for now, they all rested, safe and sound in their home.