Jude inspected the bench.

Oliver asked whether the olives were edible yet.

Wren crouched beside a lavender plant and whispered, “You can grow now.” Archer, visiting with Sloane, helped plant the final marigold.

Callum stood at a respectful distance.

We had arranged the invitation ahead of time so nobody would be surprised, and he kept his promise not to turn the occasion into a public conversation about our family.

I spoke briefly about why we had designed the garden.