Angela's nieces, Liya and Lia, sat huddled together on the bed inside Doris's old childhood room, which she had prepared specially for them. The girls had sensed Angela's sudden coldness throughout the evening and that made them worried, to top it all Jace was nowhere to be found too. The kids knew something was wrong. “Come on, girls,” Doris said softly, her voice tinged with a gentle sadness. “It's time for bed now.” Lia looked up at Doris with tear-filled eyes, clutching her sister Liya's hand tightly. “But we want to stay up with Auntie Angela. She…she seems really sad.” Liya nodded in agreement, her lower lip trembling. “Can't we stay a little longer?” Doris knelt down beside them, her heart aching for the innocence caught in the midst of grown-up emotion. “Baby, you don't have to worry about her, she will be fine I promise you, I will take care of your aunty, okay?” The girls went silent but still sobbing. “Why is she sad? When is big brother Jace coming? We miss him”. Lia sobbed loudly this time. Doris sighed and pressed her lips tightly not to tear up. She forced a smile at the girls. “He will be home soon, you don't have to worry about anything okay?” Lia shook her head. “But Auntie Angela…” Doris cuts in. “I know you want to be with Auntie Angela,” she said gently, brushing a stray tear from Lia's cheek. “But she needs some time alone right now. She's feeling very sad, and I promised her I would take care of you both tonight. And I give you my word, Auntie Angela will be just fine.” Lia's shoulders slumped in resignation, her eyes flickering with concern for her auntie. Doris looked at Liya who has been silently crying all the while she discussed with Lia. “Liya?” Liya looked up with a pale face, went with tears. Doris sighed. “Come here baby”. Doris spreads her arms out wide and the little girl falls into them. “It's okay…you don't have to cry… I feel so sad, you came to visit me and I made you your favorite Pizza, why ain't you happy?” “We are happy, sorry Auntie Doris”. Liya sobbed innocently. “You say that yet you are crying, I feel sad right now… I don't want to see you cry okay…”. Doris replied. Liya nodded. Doris kissed her forehead and turned to Lia. “Same goes to you Lia…honey”. Lia nodded. “That's my babies”. She gave each of them a forehead kiss. “Is Auntie Angela going to be okay?” Lia asked. Doris nodded solemnly. “She will be, sweetheart. Sometimes grown-ups need to talk things out on their own, but she loves you both very much.” Lia sniffled, her small voice wavering. “Will she come say goodnight?” Doris hesitated, searching for the right words. “I'm not sure, but I think she'll try to. Right now, let's focus on getting you two tucked in, okay?” “Okay”. The girls answered sadly in unison. With gentle guidance, Doris helped Lia and Liya into the bed, tucking them in with extra care. She fetched her old favorite stuffed animals and gave it to them. “Pj and Sandy will keep you guys company, they are very important to me, I hope you will take care of them”. “Thanks Auntie Doris”. The girls replied. “I love you both so much, good night babies”. Doris whispered soothingly as she pulled the blankets snug around their shoulders. Once settled, Liya gazed up at Doris with a mixture of sadness and curiosity. “Can we pray for Auntie Angela and big brother Jace tonight?” Liya asked. Doris smiled softly, touched by Liya's intelligence and compassion. “Of course, sweetheart. That's a wonderful idea. Give me your hands”. The twin pull-out their hands and she held them side by side. Together, they bowed their heads, and Doris led them in a quiet prayer for Angela, asking for comfort and strength during her time of sadness. “And big brother Jace?” Lia added to remind Doris who seem to have skipped that part. “… Ofcourse sweetheart how could I forget, for Jace please Lord give him everlasting peace and happiness”. Liya and Lia closed their eyes tightly, their small voices joining Doris's in a heartfelt plea. “Amen!” The girls shouted, and Doris noticed that the prayer helped to brighten their mood. That was a relief. “Good night Auntie Doris!” They shouted and went to bed hugging their stuffed animals. Doris smiled at them. She leaned down and kissed each girl on the forehead again. “Goodnight, my sweet pumpkin Lia. Goodnight, my sweet lily, Liya," she whispered and the girls chuckled. “Please tell Auntie Angela we love her.” Liya murmured, her voice barely above a whisper in a sleepy tone. Doris nodded, her own eyes misting with tears. “I will. Sleep well, my darlings.” With a final glance at the two girls, Doris quietly left the room, leaving the door slightly ajar in case they needed her. She made her way down the hallway to the living room where Angela was seated, still grieving over her late brother. On a second thought, she decided to make Angela a tea to calm her down.