The scream came simultaneously from both throats. Anna and Klein launched forward together, their movements synchronized by shared desperation.
Reinhard's arms opened wide while Anasha stepped back with a faint smile.
Anna and Klein crashed into him from either side.
Small bodies colliding with his chest as their arms wrap around his torso, faces pressing into his shoulders.
The impact nearly knocked him over, but he held firm, his own arms coming up to embrace them both.
"You are just coming home now! Only sending letters! Missing our New Year! Not taking better care of yourself! Not resting!" Anna's voice rose with each accusation, her words tumbling over each other in rapid-fire scolding. Her hands grabbed his jacket tightly, as if afraid he'd disappear if she let go.
"I'm so proud of you for working so hard! I hope you had fun at the Academy! You must have learned so much!" Klein's cheerful voice provided a counterpoint to Anna's complaints with a grin.
