↳ 𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐒𝐎𝐍𝐄𝐑 ー 𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐋𝐎𝐆𝐘

𝐗𝐗 ー 𝐨𝐨𝐩𝐬

◉

"Alright." Sierra claps her hands together. "First day of school, how we feeling?"

Hope jumps and spins around, mouth hanging open as she ponders. "I don't know," she answers honestly and giggles at her mother's dumbfounded face.

"You don't know? Aren't you excited? You'll get to meet other kids and make lots of friends. Everyone's gonna love you."

"Yeah!"

"Yeah." She holds up her hand for a high-five. "Let's go downstairs because I want to take lots of pictures of you before we leave because you just look so cute." She gently smushes her cheeks.

Kaden pushes the door shut as Hope skips over. "Look at you." She proudly beams up at him.

"I've decided to ruin my phone storage. Come here, smile. I want pictures." Despite his playful sigh, he complies and mirrors the girl's toothy smile for the camera. "Gosh." Sierra pretends to wipe a tear. "Beautiful."

"Thanks." He jokingly smirks and she pats his chest, smiling fondly.

"Oh! Grayson, bring your ass over here. I want pictures of you too."

"Nah I'm good."

"I'll buy you more food."

Hand on the fridge door, he squints and sighs heavily after deliberating with himself. Hope wriggles excitedly while he plods over. She stretches her arms out and is soon passed from her father to her uncle, a faint groan of disapproval as he's gifted a kiss on the cheek.

"Smile."

"I'm not in the mood to smile."

"You're ruining the photos."

"Oh no it's the end of the world."

"Imagine killing me," she suggests. And he wears the biggest smile she's ever seen. She didn't think he could smile so wide that it makes her wonder whether it will split his cheeks.

Nonetheless she snaps as many photos of them as possible.

After filling up her photo album with a million pictures, the trio stand on the sidewalk where other children are saying goodbye to their parents. Some eager to head inside and meet new faces, others refusing to let go and begging for them to be taken back home.

Sierra kneels to check her attire, straightening her clothes even though every article is already perfect and pristine. Kaden stands beside them with folded arms, eyeing everyone who passes by.

"Looking gorgeous." Hope giggles bashfully. "Pretty sure you've got everything you need. Wait, your crayons."

"Mommy you packed them!"

"I did? Oh, thank goodness." She hugs her tightly. "Have a good first day, tell me everything when you get home."

"Alright, let her go." Kaden chuckles. "She can't breathe." Sierra reluctantly pulls away, flashing an apologetic smile and standing upright. "Have a good day baby." He lowers to one knee to kiss the top of her head and embrace her.