The sound of vegetables being chopped filled the small kitchen, blending with the faint laughter of children playing in the garden outside.
Seraphina flinched slightly when Val's arms slipped around her waist from behind.
"Ahh… come on, Val," she murmured, half laughing, half scolding. "There are kids here."
"It's their playtime," he whispered near her ear, his breath brushing her skin. "No way those brats will come running into the kitchen now."
Seraphina smiled despite herself, her cheeks warming. "I'm not so sure about that," she said, turning just enough that her cheek brushed against the stubble on his jaw.
Val was leaning in, ready to steal a quick kiss..
"Brother Val!"
The small voice froze him mid-movement. He jumped back, nearly knocking over a bowl of onions.
"W-what is it, Emily?" he said, turning to face the little girl standing at the doorway, a wide grin on her face and a paper roll clutched in her hands.
