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Inside the sunny living room, Eden stands on a stool pressing her nose against the front window, daylight illuminating smudges on the glass. Mom kneels beside holding Eden's colorful welcome drawing with hearts and flowers, smiling expectantly toward the street.
Eden pressed her nose against the window. "When will they be here?" she asked Mom. "Soon, sweetie," Mom said with a smile. "Grandma and Grandpa are on the plane right now!" Eden jumped up and down. "Then the train, then the car!" she sang. She ran to get her favorite book. "Grandma will read this to me!" Mom hugged her tight. "Yes, and Grandpa will play games with you." Eden could hardly wait. She drew a big welcome picture with hearts and flowers.
On the driveway beneath bright afternoon sun, Grandma lifts Eden into a joyful hug beside the parked car, its door still open. Grandpa stands nearby with a rolling suitcase, smiling warmly toward them.
The car pulled up outside. "They're here!" Eden shouted. She raced to the door. Grandma and Grandpa stepped out with big smiles and open arms. "Our sweet Eden!" Grandma said, scooping her up. Grandpa kissed her cheek. "We missed you so much!" That afternoon, they walked to the park together. Eden held both their hands. "Look at the ducks!" she giggled. Grandpa lifted her high to see better. At the store, Eden helped Grandma pick apples. Everything was more fun with them here.
In the warmly lit kitchen, flour dust floats in afternoon light as Grandma stirs batter in a mixing bowl on the counter. Eden, perched on a chair, gleefully licks the wooden spoon while trays of unbaked cookies wait beside them.
Every day was magical. Grandpa taught Eden a new card game. "You're so smart!" he cheered when she won. They baked cookies with Grandma. Eden licked the spoon while Grandma laughed. At bedtime, Grandma read Eden's favorite story twice. "One more?" Eden asked. "Of course," Grandma whispered. Then she sang a gentle lullaby. Eden closed her eyes, feeling so loved. Grandpa peeked in and blew a kiss. "Sweet dreams, little one." Eden fell asleep smiling, safe and happy.
Morning sunlight streams through the open doorway as Eden hugs Grandma tightly, her small arms wrapped around Grandma’s waist. Grandpa stands beside packed suitcases near the threshold, wiping a tear yet smiling, the family car waiting at the curb outside.
Too soon, it was time to say goodbye. Eden hugged them tight at the door. "I'll miss you," she said softly. "We'll miss you too," Grandma said, wiping a tear. "But we'll be back soon!" Grandpa promised. They got in the car, then the train, then the plane. Now when Eden sees a car drive by, she waves. When a train whistles past, she thinks of them. When a plane flies overhead, she blows kisses to the sky. "Love always comes back," Mom reminds her, holding her close.