Prologue
It was just another day in that sunny, sweet kitchen. Emily stood at the stove, swinging her hands every which way to get the right ingredients for her filet mignon.
Quil sat behind her, sitting in a gruff silence. Currently, a picture of of a little two-year-old was sitting in his head, and he couldn't get it out.
"Quil," said Emily slowly, cautiously, as if she was afraid something bad might happen if she said it. "Quil," she repeated. "My sister's leaving town for a while. On business. Her husband hasn't been home for three years, and he's not going to come back." She figured this was the nicest way of saying 'he left my sister.' "So she'll need somebody to care for her."
Quil choked on his orange juice, his eyes suddenly wide open. "Do you mean…"
"Claire and Ivy are coming down for four months. My sister's an investigative reporter, and she's on a really important case—one that she can't take her kids to." Emily paused, for dramatic effect or to let this news sink into Quil. "Claire and Ivy are coming down tomorrow."
Quil burst up, not being able to contain himself. Inside, all of him was bursting and bubbling excitedly, and on the outside, he was leaping and screaming. "Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes!" he cried. "My luck is amazing. I love you, Emily, and I'll see you tomorrow!" he screeched. With that, he sped out the door.
Outside, Sam and Jacob were just coming to the house now. "Sam! Jacob!" exclaimed Quil, grabbing both of their shoulders and shaking. "Claire's coming down tomorrow! For four months! Go ask Emily!"
With that, he skipped away, moving in giant leaps and bounds. He'd never felt so free.