The twins collapsed onto the mattress in sync, their breathing instantly leveling out as their minds dove into the past.
Rudy didn't even look at them. He leaned against the dresser, crossing his arms. "You have five minutes. Maybe ten if they decide to watch the credits."
Eleanor didn't check their vitals. She didn't fuss with the blankets. She stared at their sleeping faces for exactly one second to confirm the spell took hold, then snapped her head toward Rudy.
The shift in her demeanor was violent. The composed, intellectual mother vanished. The woman standing there now looked like she was starving.
"Lock the door," she ordered.
Rudy raised a brow but flicked his finger. The deadbolt slid home with a heavy clack.
"You aren't worried about the—"
