"Yay! It's Mr Oliver and Mr Gregory!"

     Every child in the room erupts from the floor, their bodies propelled by an overwhelming surge of joy. Their voices merge into a chorus of exuberant cheers, and their arms thrust into the air. Grins stretch across their faces, spreading from one ear to the other, as uncontrollable screams of bliss burst forth, echoing through the room.

     Albert and George gasped in surprise, their wooden toy swords slipping from their grasp, forgotten on the ground. With boundless energy, they sprinted towards the room's centre, their eyes widening in astonishment. A contagious wave of glee struck Victoria and Elizabeth, causing their jaws to drop in awe. Drawn by the magnetic pull of the other children, they swiftly joined the vibrant cluster, their eyes shimmering as they tilted their heads upwards, basking in the glow of Oliver and Gregory's radiant smiles.

     The remaining children surged forward, a tidal excitement enveloping Oliver and Gregory. They swarmed around the two men, their tiny hands reaching upwards like eager tendrils while their feet danced with unbridled enthusiasm. The kids giggled, and their voices bounced across the sturdy walls.

     Oliver and Gregory chuckled softly as they glanced down at the children. Amusement danced on their lips as they raised their arms to shoulder level, a gentle barrier against the keen hands seeking to pull them downward. Their eyes interlocked, a silent exchange of understanding and affection, and their blissful smiles mirrored their shared thoughts and intentions.

     Amidst the circling and jumping children, Jean remains beside a window, quietly enjoying his cupcake. Chocolate icing covers much of his face, cheek, and nose. Yet, he pays no mind, happily savouring his snack and licking his fingers.

The children bombarded Oliver and Gregory with eager smiles, their voices brimming with curiosity.

"Are you going to read us stories or play with us today?"

"Oh! Oh! Or are we going to play games?"

"Or maybe we can draw?"

"If you're reading a story, what book will it be?"

Oliver let out a faint giggle, exchanging a knowing glance with Gregory, who wore a mischievous smirk.

"Hey, Oli," Gregory smirked, his eyes half-closed.

"Yes, Greg?" Oliver responded, glancing at his spouse.

"Should I tell them?" Gregory tilted his head towards the children.

"Go on, then!" Oliver nodded.

But before Gregory could utter a word, the children gasped.

"Oooh!" boys and girls glanced at each other, excitement lighting up their faces.

"Are we going to do something new?"

"...Maybe," Gregory smirked, raising a brow playfully.

The young girls squealed in excitement.

"I wonder what it could be!"

Amidst the boisterous and chaotic scene, the manager cleared his throat forcefully, his fist pressed against his mouth. "Ahem! Ahem!" The sound of the manager's throat clearing reverberated through the room, capturing the attention of the children, who fell into stunned silence.

"Shh!"

"Shush!"

"Children! Oliver and Gregory are here today with a special announcement," the manager stated.

"What is it??" a young girl whispered loudly, her fists tightly clenched.

Oliver beamed at the little girl.

"We're adopting children today!" Gregory revealed.

The children gasped, their eyes darting from one another, their faces alive with excitement. Then, like a chorus, they burst into a cacophony of voices, hands shooting up into the air.

"Pick me! Pick me! Pick me!"

"Pick me! No! Pick me!"

Oliver glanced at the manager.

"You may begin selecting," the manager told Oliver.

"Alright," Oliver replied, crossing his arms as he surveyed the eager faces in every direction. "Let's see..."

One by one, the children's voices gradually subsided, and they remained frozen on the ground, their hopeful eyes pleading to be chosen.

"How many children do you want, Oli?" Gregory whispered.

"Just two," he replied.

"Which children will you choose?" Gregory asked.

"The ones that look like us, of course," Oliver grinned.

"Such a splendid idea," Gregory nodded.

"Hmm."

As Gregory's gaze swept across the room, he noticed a boy with ginger hair, almost resembling Oliver's copper locks. "Look. He looks like you," Gregory pointed at the boy.

Oliver's smile widened. He swiftly turned to the manager and gestured towards the boy. "Can we have him?"

"A-ha! Boy! Come here!" the manager called out to the boy.

A shiver ran down the boy's spine as all eyes turned towards him with various expressions. He gulped nervously and timidly approached Oliver.

Oliver crouched down, his voice kind and gentle. "Hello. What's your name?"

"...Albert," the boy replied.

It was Albert all along.

"Albert," Oliver smiled. "Just like my father's name," he whispered to Gregory.

Gregory swiftly tapped Oliver's shoulder, prompting him to straighten up. Leaning closer to Gregory, Oliver followed his gaze as Gregory pointed towards a young girl with hair resembling ash, pale skin, and eyes the colour of wood, standing across the room. "How about her?" Gregory asked, his smile brimming with eagerness.

Oliver followed Gregory's outstretched finger, squinting as he carefully examined the girl's features. "How beautiful she is. She looks just like you!"

"I want her," Gregory said, his gaze still fixed on the girl.

Oliver turned to the manager. "We would like to choose that girl," he said with a polite grin.

"Mhm! Young lady! Please come forward!" the manager called out, gesturing for the girl to approach.

The young girl's jaw dropped as she stood frozen in shock. Slowly, she took hesitant steps forward, passing through the other children, glancing left and right.

Gregory crouched down and addressed the girl with a calm, soothing tone. "Hello there. What's your name?"

"Victoria," she answered.

It was Victoria all along.

"Hello, Victoria," Gregory nodded, acknowledging her. He then turned to Oliver and nodded at him.

"What a pretty name," Oliver complimented.

"Thank you," Victoria replied, squeezing her hands together.

Oliver and Gregory gazed at Victoria and Albert, their smiles stretching from ear to ear. The two men then turned to face the manager.

"Satisfied?" the manager asked.

"Mhm," Oliver nodded.

"Will they be all?" the manager asked, seeking confirmation.

"Yes, please," Oliver answered.

     Victoria's heart sank into an eternal void as the realization dawned upon her—she would be leaving her only brother behind at the adoption centre. Her eyebrows raised in disbelief as her lips tightened, her breathing trembling with unease. Likewise, Albert felt an overwhelming sensation in his heart—as if gravity was pulling him down to the ground. His jaw quivered, and his eyes began to glisten with unshed tears. He then cast a long, noticeable frown at Elizabeth.

Observing the sombre expressions on Victoria and Albert's faces, Gregory approached them with concern. "Hey, what's wrong?" he asked gently.

"Hm..." Victoria and Albert pointed at their siblings amidst the bustling crowd of children.

Gregory's gaze followed their fingers, and his heart sank. "Oh, no..." he huffed, realizing the situation.

Oliver looked at Gregory. "Hm?"

"I think they have siblings here," Gregory said.

     A pang of heartache surged through Oliver, gripping his chest like a painful sore. The weight of his experience, having lost siblings and even his entire family, flooded his veins with guilt. His breathing grew heavier as sorrow and empathy welled up in his eyes. He turned his gaze back to the manager with his eyebrows furrowed.

"Do these children have siblings?" he asked.

"I suppose they do," the manager said.

"We'll take their siblings, too," Oliver smiled.

Gregory overheard Oliver's words, causing a wide grin to appear on his face.

     Elizabeth and George couldn't contain their excitement as they bounced on their feet. With a burst of energy, they swiftly weaved through the crowd of young children until they finally reached their siblings. Seeing Victoria and Albert filled their hearts with pure delight, causing their smiles to return in full force. The brothers and sisters embraced each other tightly, their hugs overflowing with relief.

Oliver crouched down. "Hello. What are your names?"

"George!"

"Elizabeth!"

It was Elizabeth and George all along, the siblings of Victoria and Albert.

"How wonderful," Oliver thought, his spirits lifting as he straightened his back.

"I love your choice," Gregory whispered to Oliver.

A genuine smile spread across Oliver's face, appreciating Gregory's support.

"Satisfied now?" the manager beamed.

"Mhm," Oliver replied.

As they watched the children embracing each other, Gregory leaned closer to Oliver and asked, "Will they be all?"

Oliver's gaze softened, his eyes lowering to the ground. A gentle sigh escaped his lips, and his smile widened.