Five minutes before the breakfast bell, Alina clapped her hands gently, her voice calm but cheerful. "Alright, sweethearts! That's enough dancing for today — let's go back inside."
The babies let out tiny squeaks of protest, but they were too tired to argue much. They trudged after her in a wobbly line, hair messy, cheeks pink, sneakers squeaking on the path. As they neared the side of the building, Alina stopped them near a neat stone tap area where the kids could wash up. The soft trickle of water made a few of them perk up.
"Come here, everyone!" Alina called softly. "You all worked so hard — your faces are so sweaty! Wash your little hands and faces nicely, alright?"
Drake was the first to jump up, splashing water on his cheeks so wildly that Luna scolded him for getting her sleeve wet. Boo floated over, poking his tiny fingers under the stream, giggling at the way it dripped through him. Lucian, of course, washed quietly, wiping his face with tiny, careful hands.
