"Are you seriously going to let this moron ruin our night?"

With just one sentence, the entire mood seemed to flip 180 degrees. Under the influence of their emotions, it was as if everyone had forgotten why they were there—to have fun, to let loose a little before life grabbed them back again.

It was currently eight in the morning—the sun had just risen over the mountains, and the birds were singing their songs in the sky. The mountain wind had calmed down and was gently brushing the leaves of the trees. The cold from the previous night had been replaced by the soft warmth of the morning and the strong rays of the sun peeking through the windows of the cabin.

A complete mess had erupted in the dining room—dirty dishes and utensils were scattered across the large table, napkins were crumpled, and some were on the floor. Cigarettes, lighters, and dead mobile phones also adorned the table. Bottles of alcohol, some empty, lay next to the chairs. Dried stains of alcohol and dried blood were left on the floor.

The group had a lot of cleaning to do, but they were all sleeping sweetly and soundly. The party had lasted until four-thirty in the morning—loud music, lots of dancing, and plenty of fun. The incident with Mark was forgotten by them, but not by Mark himself.

Everyone had an exceptionally good time, even the two boys—Alexander had drunk quite a large amount of alcohol and had started talking nonsense and joking, entertaining the girls. Robert had also loosened up, but not completely. Burdened by unresolved memories, the boy had drunk much more alcohol than usual—the mix of the horrible feeling caused by last night's scene and the cold vodka had hit him in a place that hadn't been touched for a long time. Alcohol had always made him more attuned to his feelings—several times during the night he had gone outside to control his tears and try to shake it all off, but something wouldn't give him peace.

The alarms on nearly all the phones began to ring insistently—Alexander was so unsure if he would wake up that he had set his alarm to play Custer by Slipknot. His brother Antoine was a big fan of that type of music and had introduced him to a few good songs here and there. The loud metal music, cranked to the max, filled the small room where Alexander, Robert, Michael, and Konstantin were sleeping. The blond-haired youth didn't wake up right away, unlike Konstantin, who was an extremely light sleeper. He jolted upright from the comfortable bed, stunned by the unexpected noise. His eyes were wide open, darting around the cozy room. Spotting the vibrating phone on the nightstand beside Alex, he let out a loud, irritated sigh. Within a few quick seconds, he grabbed his pillow and hurled it forcefully in the direction of the sleeping Alexander. As it hit him in the head, he too shot up from the bed, bewildered and startled.

"Jerk!" Konstantin hissed, keeping his voice low. "Are you out of your mind?"

Alexander rubbed his eyes, visibly confused—they were bloodshot from exhaustion. He could now hear the heavy metal song blaring in the background and reached out to turn it off. He hadn't expected that even this wouldn't wake him up. Michael also woke up but didn't show much reaction—he just continued to lie there, trying to fall back asleep, ignoring the chaos around him.

"What?" the blond-haired boy replied.

"Are you stupid? What is that satanic song?"

"To wake up!"

"To wake up?! Konstantin exclaimed. "Hey, idiot! You scared the life out of me!"

Alexander laughed brightly, rubbing his eyes again—his arms ached slightly, but he skillfully ignored the pain.

"Dude, you sent my soul to Heaven with that song!"

"In a minute, I'll send your soul to Heaven and mine to Hell!" Michael exclaimed, still squeezing his eyes shut but slowly realizing that sleep was out of the question. The dark-skinned youth turned to the other side, looking at Konstantin intently.

"What are you complaining about now?"

Robert woke up from the commotion and stretched, trying to shake off his drowsiness. Although he usually hated being woken up, this time the guys didn't bother him as much. His whole body felt stiff, probably from the tension of the previous night or the cold night wind. He felt a tightness in his head, caused by the large amount of alcohol he had consumed the night before, but he knew he would relax as soon as they set off for the lake. The fresh mountain air and walks in the mountains had always refreshed him and filled his mind with calm. His camera, neatly packed in his bag, was waiting patiently for Robert to grab it and start taking pictures.

"Alexander is a total cultist, look at him! I almost crapped myself—who the hell wakes up like that, Alex?!"

All four young men burst into loud, contagious laughter—their morning had started in just the right way, filling them with excitement for the wonderful day ahead. The sun had fully risen, eager for them to explore the majestic mountains.

The group got out of bed and headed towards the dining room—where Courtney and Melissa were already cleaning up the large table. Elizabeth was in the kitchen, over the big sink, washing the dirty dishes and utensils. From her phone, The Fire Inside by Becky G was playing, and she was cheerfully whistling along. Despite the visible signs of fatigue and lack of sleep on her beautiful face, she didn't let it overcome her good mood.

"Good morning, boys!" Melissa greeted them, smiling warmly. Courtney also gave them a beautiful smile before sitting down on one of the chairs and lighting a cigarette. Her black hair was tied up in a messy bun, and under her beautiful blue eyes were large dark circles.

"Courtney, you look fantastic," Konstantin joked, pinching her cheek. "Give me a cigarette."

His fingers snatched the thick cigarette from her mouth and placed it between his own lips—Courtney gave him a disapproving look, but he just chuckled softly.

"You could have at least bought decent cigarettes. What is this puke?"

"Then give it back," she demanded.

The dining room filled with laughter, and Courtney let out an irritated sigh—she really hated being teased in the morning, especially when she hadn't even had her coffee or put any food in her mouth yet. The girl hadn't had the chance to drink coffee at all—something she found hard to get used to. Konstantin was the life of the group and loved to joke around with everyone to keep the mood up.

Elizabeth had finished with the dishes and turned off the tap—the warm water stopped flowing, and all the dishes were clean and neatly arranged, with the sink scrubbed spotless. The curly-haired girl loved to keep everything tidy—after the party last night, she didn't want to leave a trace. She dried her delicate hands and headed to the dining room to join her friends—their laughter reached her, and she was curious to find out why. Chloe, Naomi, and Patricia left their rooms, drawn by the laughter of the group and Michael's loud voice, and walked towards the dining room—the girls were already ready for the hike. Their long hair was tied up in high ponytails, and their beautiful bodies were dressed in sporty outfits, perfect for the lovely walk that awaited them. Their appearance caused some surprise.

"Isn't it a bit early?" Michael muttered softly, his eyes scanning Naomi's body from head to toe—he was in love with her. Her butt was large and well-shaped, and her breasts were lifted by the sports bra she wore. He spread his legs slightly, signaling for her to settle comfortably on his lap, which she did. Courtney rolled her eyes, and after that, Konstantin nudged her hard with his elbow.

"It's actually late. We should have already left by now."

"We just need to tidy up our rooms, get dressed, and we'll be ready to go," Robert said quietly, still not fully awake.

Elizabeth had wrapped her delicate arms around his shoulders, pulling him into a tender hug. As she looked at him, she couldn't help but feel guilty about what had happened the previous night—she had learned to find a story in his irises, even when he wasn't speaking. Right now, his eyes smelled of pain and disappointment—violence wasn't the right solution, but for Robert, being the big brother meant protecting. He couldn't bear the humiliation that Mark had been ready to subject her to, and who could?

"What's the plan?" Melissa's high-pitched voice reached everyone, snapping Robert out of the dark thoughts that had clouded his mind.

"We're meeting at the gorge," Alexander replied. "From there, we head to the lake, have a picnic, and then head back."

Everyone nodded in agreement—they were in for an incredible adventure. It had been a long time since they had done something like this, and now was the moment to relax and enjoy it. Life had grabbed each of them in its relentless grip—some were working, others were studying, and some were doing both. It wasn't easy for anyone—the exhaustion, the challenges, the lack of free time, and the pain of missing friends were draining. The carefree days were long gone, and life would never be the same. Childhood had been lost somewhere far in the past—children's toys had been replaced with cars, fashionable clothes, and heavy responsibilities. The question was how each person dealt with it all—whether they were strong enough to fight or weak and stuck in one place.

The sun's rays shone down on the gorge where the group had left their cars. Elizabeth was the last to arrive and parked her car in reverse, right next to Konstantin's red Citroën, which desperately needed a car wash. Elizabeth always joked with him that he was always saving money but never had enough to wash his car—a joke to which he always reacted differently. The car stopped its persistent rumbling, ready to rest.

Alexander stepped out of the car, looking around—the scenery was enchanting. The spring song of nature had begun to play in the mountains of Colorado in a way that you could feel in your soul. The gentle breeze, slightly chilly, caressed you just barely, as if fighting against all your worries or pain, ready to burn them away. Knowing that he would see even greater beauty along the way, he became even more excited.

The loud sound of a car horn made everyone turn around—a blue Mazda CX-60, clean and beautiful, pulled into the parking lot. This beauty was driven by a blond man, fit and well-maintained for his age. Sitting next to him in the passenger seat was a large angel—a two-year-old golden retriever with a smile that stretched from ear to ear. His caramel-colored fur was clean and shiny, and around his neck was a little red bandana with white polka dots. The dog was in seventh heaven, unaware of the adventure awaiting him.

A smile played on Alexander's face.

The man pulled the handbrake and got out of the car, heading towards the passenger door. The dog leaped out of the car, running towards the group. The girls were pleasantly surprised by the unexpected guest, especially Elizabeth, who adored dogs. The puppy seemed to sense this and ran straight to her, jumping into her arms. The curly-haired girl squealed with delight as the angel found itself in her embrace—its tail wagged so hard it might break from happiness. Showering her with kisses, it seemed to have taken a special liking to her, something that didn't escape Alexander's notice. His stomach fluttered with a sweet feeling.

"Good morning!" The man's raspy voice reached everyone. "How's the mood?"

"All good, Dad," Alex replied, pulling his father into a hug. "You brought me some company, huh?"

"You know he loves it. Last night, I accidentally told him, 'Your big brother is going to the mountains,' and he understood me."

Alexander laughed brightly—their dog was incredibly smart and understood every word. For them, Terry was like a member of the family, and for him, they were everything. Only the love of a dog can show you what it's like to be truly loved—love without expecting anything in return. At the moment, the puppy was lying on its back on the ground, getting scratches from Elizabeth, Courtney, Patricia, and Melissa. Its tail continued to wag back and forth. Its brown eyes gazed at Elizabeth, whose face was flushed with affection.

Robert distanced himself from the group to greet Alexander's father — this man was like a second father to him. The memories of his childhood, spent at Alex's home, playing board games with his father or enjoying his mother's delicious lemon cake, were priceless. Their parents were also very close friends and spent almost every evening together. The respect the boy had for Alexey was immense.

After Valeria's death, many things had changed — this event was a shock for everyone. The pain of losing his wife nearly destroyed Alexey — for him, a woman like her was a miracle in this messed-up world. His love for her was endless — he was ready to dedicate his entire life to her, as well as to their child.

A deep wound was left in the heart of the little child — for Alexander, losing his mother, his beloved person, was the most excruciating pain. The cries of a child filled the now empty house, whose walls were drowned in grief and despair. Only Robert had witnessed all the terrible sights and stayed despite everything. He kept his promise to stay forever.

The wound remained — you just learn to live with the pain.

Valeria's death was an event that taught them that despite the difficulties, you have to move forward. Pain is just another challenge to swallow. Unfortunately, the unfairness of life would always be stronger — no one can foresee their destiny or the fate of their loved ones.

"There's my other boy!" Alexey said cheerfully, ruffling Robert's chestnut hair. "How are you, Rob? I haven't seen you in a while."

"I'm good. Working, having fun, the usual. How about you?"

"Everything's fine. I took some time off to relax a bit. Christina and I are traveling around here and there."

"Join us on the hike," Alexander joked, laughing cheerfully. "Anyway, Christina has a meeting with the regional managers today, and you'll be alone all day."

Alexey smiled warmly at the young man. A light laugh escaped his lips before the father patted his son on the shoulder and said cheerfully:

"My time has passed, son. Now it's your turn."

Two pairs of ocean-blue eyes gazed at each other with much love and gratitude. A quiet smile played on the face of the young father — somehow, the years had flown by, and his little boy was now a grown man. He hadn't realized how quickly the days passed when you're blessed with such happiness.

"Are you sure, Dad? You need to relax."

"I'll head home, son. You all have fun," Alexey gently caressed his blond-haired son's face. "Kristina made you sandwiches."

The two boys looked at each other in surprise, as if on cue. Alexey laughed brightly and headed to the trunk of the car, where a large cooler bag was hidden, filled with ham and cheese sandwiches, as well as small bottles of cold mineral water. Alexander stood with his mouth open when he saw this — the warm gesture filled his soul with excitement.

"Why did you go to the trouble? There was no nee—"

"Because I love you, Kristina loves you... and Antoine said you're fucking dumb and definitely forgot to prepare food."

Antoine was absolutely right — no one had thought to prepare food for the hike. In their rush, the group had completely overlooked this important step — Michael and Colin had stashed some chips and bottles of alcohol here and there. Robert sighed, a note of relief in his breath. Alexander, on the other hand, laughed at the comment from his stepbrother, who at times knew him better than he knew himself. Somehow, in such moments, he felt closer to his new family, and his heart filled with gratitude.

"Thanks," Robert's infectious laugh broke out. "We'll definitely return the favor."

"Enough of that nonsense, kids."

Alexey allowed a broad and beautiful smile to spread across his face — a row of white teeth appeared, showing his happiness. He whistled to get Terry's attention, who was in seventh heaven, wrapped in Elizabeth's warm embrace. His tongue was out, and his smile seemed endless. His eyes were full of kindness, and his heart was full of joy. Hearing his owner's whistle, the dog perked up his ears with interest, and his gaze started darting around.

"Who's calling you?" Courtney changed her voice and started speaking to the little dog. "Where's Dad? Go to him!"

Terry broke free from the girl's gentle arms and ran toward Alexey and the two boys, who continued to talk cheerfully. The sound of his paws running on the warm pavement, combined with his loud bark, reached the three men. Alexey crouched down with open arms, expecting the puppy to jump into his embrace without hesitation. Showering his owner's face with kisses, the dog bounced around in his arms, unable to contain his joy. Alex's family often joked that his joy was "dangerous." After giving him a goodbye kiss, Alexey said:

"Be good for the boys. There are treats in the bag — lots of treats!"

Hearing the word "treats," Terry immediately turned his head to the side, understanding what that magical word meant and knowing how to earn it. This prompted a burst of cheerful laughter.

"Have a great hike, guys. Alex, I'll be waiting for you at home!"

The blond man hugged his son warmly again before heading toward his car and driving off to the bustling city. The hectic pace of city life was something he had grown painfully accustomed to. To be honest, a small pang of envy lingered in his stomach — to him, the mountains symbolized grandeur, strength, and breathtaking beauty. Born and raised in beautiful Russia, near the Caucasus Mountains, his love for nature was immense. Even his move to America hadn't detached him from the mountains; choosing to live in Colorado instead of Los Angeles, as his persistent father wished, had brought him only happiness.

The group moved slowly along the narrow forest path, which offered a breathtaking view of Herman Lake. The trees around them soared high, forming a natural arch of greenery overhead. The leaves of the oaks and pines were tightly interwoven, letting through only thin rays of sunlight that played on the mossy ground beneath their feet. The air was fresh and cool, saturated with the scent of pine needles and damp earth.

With every passing meter, the noise of civilization faded, replaced by the songs of birds and the whisper of leaves swayed by the gentle breeze. Somewhere in the distance, invisible to the eye, crickets joined this natural chorus, adding their rhythm to the forest's symphony.

Robert, with his boundless enthusiasm, frequently stopped to capture the beauty around him. Once he noticed how the sunlight filtered through the dense canopy, creating golden spots on the forest path. He knelt and captured this moment with his camera, freezing the play of light and shadow.

The path led them to a clearing with a magnificent view of the lake. The water's surface was smooth as glass, reflecting the blue sky and fluffy white clouds lazily drifting across it. Along the lake's shore, reeds grew, rustling softly with each breeze. A few wild ducks glided across the water, leaving rippling trails behind them.

Robert immediately rushed to the shore to photograph these ducks. He knelt on the ground and focused on them, capturing the moment when they moved in perfect synchrony, creating a perfect composition for his next piece.

Next to the lake was a small meadow scattered with wildflowers in a variety of colors – yellow, red, and blue patches that stood out against the green grass. The group decided to stop here for a picnic. They set their backpacks on the ground and spread out blankets, enjoying the tranquility of the spot.

As the others unpacked food and drinks, Robert noticed how the wind swayed the wildflowers and hurried to capture the beautiful moment. His lens caught the movement of the petals and their gentle interaction with the breeze, creating a dynamic image full of life.

Blond-haired Alexander approached the water and crouched to dip his hand into the lake. The water was cool and crystal clear, and small fish could be seen swimming merrily at the bottom. Alexander stayed there for a moment, savoring the cool sensation spreading across his skin.

Meanwhile, the others scattered across the meadow to explore the surroundings. To their left, along the lake's shore, there was a small grove of birch trees, their white trunks looking like ghostly figures amidst the greenery. Light filtered through their slender branches, casting intriguing shadows on the ground.

A few meters from the meadow stood an old oak tree, its branches sprawling wide, offering shade and a cozy spot for rest. Several squirrels playfully scampered up and down, jumping from branch to branch with agility and grace. Beneath the tree, the ground was covered with fallen leaves and acorns, which crunched under the feet of passersby.

Robert seized the opportunity to photograph the squirrels, approaching quietly and focusing his camera on them. He captured them in a playful moment, with two squirrels chasing each other up the oak trunk, creating a lively and whimsical image.

The group enjoyed their picnic, sharing food and laughter. Their conversations blended with the natural sounds, creating a cozy and friendly atmosphere. The air was filled with the freshness of nature and the aromas of the prepared food. Christina and Alexey's gesture had filled everyone's hearts with excitement — Courtney even grabbed Alexander's phone to personally thank his parents. Alexey had responded to this unexpected call with a teasing comment.

Robert settled comfortably on a blanket next to his younger sister, excited and joyful. He couldn't wait to show her the memories he had captured with his camera. Elizabeth smiled widely, while Terry, who lay sleepily at her feet, ready to doze off, perked up his ears again. Alexander had crumbled a small piece of his sandwich into crumbs to feed the ducks swimming peacefully in the crystal-clear pond — the animals made happy noises in gratitude. Terry had tried to play with them but had quickly become disheartened upon seeing them move away, and he snuggled back into Elizabeth's arms, her heart melting with affection.

The barking of a dog made Terry lift his head again. A beautiful white husky with sea-blue eyes was running quickly towards the pond, burning with the desire to splash around in the water. The golden retriever watched with a curious look—he had always been affectionate, both with animals and people, since he was a pup.

"Terry, who's that?" Alexander exclaimed cheerfully, whistling for the husky to come over to the crystal-clear pond. Terry's tongue slipped out, and a smile appeared on his muzzle. He obeyed the blonde's call and trotted over to him—Alexander had his arms wide open, inviting him into an embrace. The white husky slowed down cautiously as soon as it spotted the golden retriever, but that was just a moment before it happily dashed towards the pond, ready for some fun.

"Bailey, wait!" a high-pitched female voice reached everyone, but no one paid much attention to the plea. Bailey was thrilled to see new company and threw herself at the golden retriever—her nose began to sniff around, curious about her surroundings. Terry crouched down, his tail wagging so vigorously it seemed it might break off, while Bailey started bouncing around him, urging him to play across the endless meadows. The ducks began quacking as the paws of the two animals started hopping across the clear pond.

"Excuse us, Bailey is a bit more social!" the woman said hesitantly as her family arrived at the pond.

"Oh, no problem at all! Terry isn't exactly the most reserved either!"

A cheerful laugh echoed through the beautiful mountains. The group enjoyed watching the two dogs, and soon the two little children joined in their play. The little girl had grabbed a large stick and started waving it around to attract the dogs' attention.

"Beautiful day, isn't it?" the man tried to strike up a conversation with Alexander, who responded warmly:

"Yes, it is. What brings you out here?"

"Just a bit of relaxation, my friend," the man replied with a laugh. "Our grandkids are visiting the farm, and we decided to come for a walk."

"Great decision. The little ones are definitely having a blast."

"Kids, what can you say."

"Sunshine, could you take a few pictures for us before we sit down? After all, moments like these need to be captured."

Alexander pondered this request—there was someone who would take up the task immediately. Nodding, he directed his sea-blue gaze towards Robert, who was enjoying a delicious ham and cheese sandwich and chatting with Konstantin and Elizabeth. The curly-haired girl was cuddled up with her older brother, enjoying the jokes from the two boys. Everyone was having a wonderful time.

"Rob? — called the blonde Alexander .Robbert looked up uncertainly, raising an eyebrow.

"The family here wants a few photos . Will you take care of it?"

 Robbert's brown eyes seemed to light up at Alexander's request. The camera was sitting on the soft blanket, ready to capture memories and make people happy. Robbert wiped his fingers with a wet napkin, grabbed the camera, and walked slowly toward the family. They were pleasantly surprised "

"Hello! — Robbert greeted cheerfully.- "How are you?"

"Wonderful. We have visitors today " — The woman pinched her little granddaughter's cheek and laughed brightly

"I'm Robbert. Nice to meet you " — The boy extended his hand " What's your name? "

"I'm Daniel, this is my wife Elena, and these are our treasures "

"Hi there, little one! — The boy knelt down, offering his hand.- " What's your name? "

"I'm Jake, and this is my sister Susan. We love having our pictures taken "

"That's why I'm here" 

The sound of the camera clicking reached everyone. Alexander smiled warmly and started to move away, whistling to get Teri's attention. The puppy seemed not to hear at all—caught up in playing with Bailey, he seemed to have forgotten about time. Bailey was wonderful company—they were chasing each other across the meadows, climbing on top of each other, and barking loudly in the majestic mountains. For them, happiness was simple—it only took a little.
 We, humans, focus on material things—money, cars, sex, entertainment. But in the end, how little do you need to be happy? How little do we need to live in peace? 

Robbert turned his attention to preparing for the photo session. He chose a suitable spot on the meadow where the light fell perfectly on the family's faces, and the majestic mountains and lake created an incredible backdrop. He first asked Daniel and Elena to stand together, holding hands, with Bailey sitting next to them

"Let's start with some family portraits!" Robbert began capturing the love between the elderly couple, holding hands affectionately. Daniel didn't let go of his wife's hand, whom he had loved for thirty-five years. He adored her and the family they had built together.
While Robbert focused on his camera, ready for the next shots, Susan and Jake continued to run around with Bailey. However, he had a plan for them.

"Kids, come over here! — The children laughed brightly and listened to Robbert.

"I want to take pictures of you playing with Bailey! " 

The children ran towards him, ready for action. Bailey bounded around them, and Robbert captured several spontaneous shots of their joy. The dog was at the center of attention, and everything seemed natural and unposed

"Now let's take some pictures of everyone together" — Robbert continued as he arranged the family.

" Daniel, Elena, sit on the blanket. Jake and Susan, stand behind them and put your hands on their shoulders. And Bailey will be in front .

The family took their positions as Robbert directed. He pressed the camera's button at the right moments to capture images of true love and togetherness .The children smiled widely, and Bailey looked towards the camera as if understanding the importance of the moment

After taking a few shots in this style, Robert decided to capture something more dynamic.

"Alright, now let's do some fun shots. Susan and Jake, you two will run ahead, and Bailey will follow you. Daniel and Elena, you can cheer them on and laugh."

The kids ran across the meadow, and Robert followed their movement, trying to capture moments of pure joy. Bailey was tireless, following them everywhere, which added extra charm to the photos. Robert enjoyed the natural light and the colors of nature, which made each picture unique.

When he felt he had captured enough dynamic shots, Robert decided to change the mood a bit.

"Now I want to take a few calmer photos," he said. "Daniel and Elena, lie down on the blanket, and Susan and Jake, lie down next to them. Bailey can relax between you."

The family settled on the blanket, looking up at the sky. Robert moved a bit further away and took a few overhead shots to capture this moment of peace and harmony. These images were more intimate and personal, showcasing the connection between the family members.

After finishing these shots, Robert wanted to take a few portraits of each family member individually. He started with Daniel, who stood with his head held high, looking towards the mountains. Next was Elena, who smiled warmly at the camera. Jake and Susan also had their moments, with Robert trying to capture their individual personalities.

Finally, Robert decided to take a few pictures of Bailey alone. The dog posed as if she were a professional model, and Robert enjoyed these spontaneous and fun moments. Her smile was wide and genuine, and the small pink bow on her neck made her even more adorable.

When the photo session was over, Robert felt extremely satisfied with what he had achieved. The family thanked him for the beautiful photos and the moments he had captured.

"You're a wonderful person!" Daniel said, shaking Robert's hand firmly and pulling him into a warm embrace. "You've made our entire family very happy!"

"The pleasure is all mine, sir!" Robert replied with a wide smile. Elena pulled out a small hardcover notebook from her black leather backpack. On the first page, she wrote down her phone number and email. Handing him the small piece of paper, she let out a light laugh and said, "You can reach us here. We'll be looking forward to it."

Robert smiled warmly back, waved goodbye, and headed back to his group. As he packed up his equipment and watched the family return to their picnic, he couldn't help but think about how special these moments of togetherness and love were. He knew these photos would preserve their memories forever, and that filled him with immense satisfaction about his work as a photographer. Elizabeth gazed at him with affection and love while scratching Teri's belly, who was once again in bliss.

"An amazing day!" Robert exclaimed, excitement in his voice, and everyone laughed, happy for him. His mood was clearly lifted—the unexpected encounter and the hike had made him forget all the worries and problems from the night before. A broad smile danced across his face, making him look happier than ever.

Elizabeth snuggled into his warm embrace—she loved seeing her older brother so cheerful. Robert just hugged her tightly and gently kissed her on the forehead.

What more do you need to be happy?