Lily sat cross-legged on the plush carpet, crayons scattered around her. Her fingers moved swiftly, creating vibrant pictures of sunny parks and colorful kites. "I can't wait to show these to him," she whispered to herself, glancing at the clock as if willing it to move faster.
Lily skipped outside, her sketchbook clutched tightly to her chest. She imagined Ethan, her baby brother, lying in his crib beneath the same sky, dreaming of adventures they would soon share. "I'll teach him how to climb the apple tree," she declared to the swaying branches.
Lily stood on tiptoe to peek into the oven, her eyes widening with delight at the sight of the golden-brown treats. "Ethan will love these," she said, imagining his tiny fingers reaching for a cookie. Her mother smiled softly, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder.
Lily curled up on the couch, her sketchbook open in her lap. "Will he know who I am?" she asked, her voice a quiet murmur. Her father knelt beside her, ruffling her hair affectionately, "Of course, he'll know. He'll love you just as much as you love him."
Lily lay in bed, her drawings of Ethan resting on the bedside table. She traced her fingers over the paper, imagining his tiny hand closing around hers. "Soon," she whispered, her eyes drifting closed as dreams of laughter and shared secrets filled her mind.
Lily awoke to the gentle sound of her parents' voices. She leaped from her bed, heart racing with excitement. Today was the day Ethan would come home. She rushed to the window, watching the world come alive, knowing that soon, their family would be complete.
