Matthew's Pov

　　"Don't forget to brush your teeth before we go see Emma, Lotte," I comment while watching my little sister finish her afternoon snack.

　　Sunlight streams through the kitchen window, illuminating the light wooden table where Charlotte is sitting.

　　Charlotte nods enthusiastically, her cheeks stuffed with the sandwich she's chewing on, making me laugh. Charlotte has been asking to see Emma again for weeks now, but with everything happening concerning the wars and whatnot, it had been hard to fulfill her wish.

　　However, now that it's been a month since peace was reestablished, things have been calm enough to take Charlotte to Emma's wolf pack more often. This new phase makes me breathe a sigh of relief and feel a genuine, quiet joy.

　　"Are we going to help Emma choose her engagement dress, big brother?" Charlotte asks with her mouth still full.

　　I frown at her and her question before shaking my head.

　　"I can't be there with Emma when she picks out her wedding dress. It's a surprise for the groom, but maybe she'll take you on that day? But you can't tell me which dress she chose, okay?" I reply cheerfully, giving my sister a playful wink.

　　Charlotte nods and finishes her juice. I watch my little sister with complete joy and tenderness. She has been growing up too fast; soon, she'll be turning nine. So many things have happened this year, changes that have shaped our lives in completely unexpected ways.

　　"Yep, we're engaged!" Fenrir comments lazily inside me. "I thought this day would never come!"

　　"You're so sentimental, Fenrir," I joke with an internal laugh that makes my wolf grumble in response.

　　"For Emma, I can be anything," Fenrir responds cheerfully.

　　"What are we going to do today, then? Since we're not picking out Emma's wedding dress," Charlotte asks curiously, resting her curly head on her hand on the table.

　　"We're going to taste cakes and plan the engagement party for a few weeks from now," I respond patiently. I had already explained this to Charlotte, but she clearly wasn't paying attention. "Now hurry up, or I'll have to leave you behind, and there won't be any cakes for you to eat!"

　　My sister's eyes widen with urgency at my pretend threat. She quickly finishes the last bite of her sandwich and swallows it. Seconds later, Charlotte dashes off the table, heading to her room to get ready.

　　"Don't leave without me, I'll be right back!" Charlotte yells as she runs up the stairs. I hear her bedroom door open and her starting to change.

　　I take this time while Charlotte is getting dressed to start clearing the table, just to keep my mind occupied with other things besides the engagement planning. The kitchen is peaceful, the silence punctuated only by the sound of running water as I wash the dishes. The smell of fresh bread still lingers in the air, mixed with the aroma of the orange juice Charlotte just drank.

　　"You know what I've been thinking, Matt?" Fenrir suddenly comments, and I just shrug in response. "That maybe, after the wedding, it would be good to start trying to have pups!"

　　I choke on my own saliva at my wolf's statement, quickly putting the dishes on the counter.

　　"Pups? I mean, well... what?" I stutter, confused by the information.

　　"Yes. Charlotte, as you've noticed, is turning nine. She's growing up fast, I don't see why not have pups as soon as you and Emma get married!" Fenrir comments sincerely and nonchalantly.

　　I lean against the kitchen island, absorbing my wolf's argument. The soft late afternoon light floods the window, and I follow the long shadows forming in the kitchen, just to reorganize my thoughts for a few seconds.

　　"Emma is only eighteen, and I'm twenty-five. She still has many years to enjoy life. I know how hard it is to be responsible for someone's life at such a young age. I was twenty when our parents died. I love Charlotte; she and Emma are my most precious treasures in the world. But I don't want to have kids now. Maybe when Charlotte is older, almost sixteen or seventeen, perhaps," I comment thoughtfully, my voice laden with sincerity.

　　"And if Emma wants to have kids now? You haven't talked about this, Matt. It's important to align this before the wedding," Fenrir advises, and I nod.

　　"Yes, you're right. Emma and I will talk about having kids. But I think she, like me, isn't planning on having pups now. Taking care of a wolf pack is already enough of a headache," I respond with humor, a smile forming on my lips.

　　At that moment, Charlotte returns running to the kitchen. She's wearing a lovely yellow dress, her hair still loose, revealing her well-made curls.

　　"I'm ready, big brother! Are we going to see Emma now?" Charlotte asks, her green eyes shining with excitement.

　　I smile at her and dry my hands, "Yes, let's go."

　　I grab my jacket and hold Charlotte's hand, guiding her to the garage. As we step outside, the temperature feels pleasant. The sun is still shining in the sky, but soon it will be a beautiful sunset, painting the horizon with shades of orange and pink.