CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY SEVEN – PERFECTION

Leonard looked around, taking in the new paint, the rearranged furniture, and the slightly crooked artwork. His eyes landed on Rebecca, still partially tangled in curtains, and Nancy, who had a smudge of paint on her cheek that they'd somehow missed earlier. For a moment, he was silent, and Rebecca felt a flutter of nervousness. Had they gone too far? But then Leonard's face broke into a wide smile. "It's... perfect," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "You did all this for me?" Nancy moved to his side, slipping her arm around his waist. "We wanted to do something special for you. To show you how much we appreciate you." Leonard pulled her close, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "It's amazing. Thank you both." As Rebecca watched them, she felt a warmth spreading through her chest. This was what family was all about - messy, imperfect, but filled with love. The good mood lasted for several weeks, but as the summer drew to a close, new challenges arose. Leonard's work stress in