Nick's wife, Kate, was the heart of this home – a devoted wife, loving mother, and skilled homemaker. She and Nick had been together since their youth, their bond only strengthening with the passing years. At thirty-nine, Kate remained a striking beauty – a blue-eyed blonde with long, flowing hair and a smattering of freckles across her fair skin. Of medium height and slender build, she still turned heads, a reminder of her days as a frequent winner of local beauty contests in her youth. Many remarked on how well-matched she and Nick were, their physical similarities only emphasizing their deep connection.
Their children, Edward and Gina, were perfect blends of their parents. Edward was the spitting image of his father, while Gina took after her mother in both looks and temperament. The family was completed by Thor, their loyal Doberman, who was treated as a full-fledged member of the household.
Kate had always loved cooking and caring for her family. In her younger days, she had dreamed of becoming a designer, but the whirlwind romance with Nick had altered her life's trajectory. Yet she harbored no regrets, finding genuine happiness in the life they had built together. Kate's parents lived in San Francisco, and the family made it a tradition to visit them for a month each summer. Nick's parents, seeking warmth in their golden years, had relocated to Orlando, Florida. Nick and the children made it a point to visit them when the chill of autumn settled over Austin.
As Nick entered the house, he could hear the tail end of dinner. Thor, ever vigilant, was the first to greet him, bounding towards the door with enthusiasm. Close behind came the pitter-patter of small feet as Gina and Edward raced to welcome their father home. Nick stood in the hallway, removing his jacket and shoes, a smile breaking through his weariness at the sight of his children.
"Dad's home! Dad's home!" they chorused, their excitement palpable.
"Hi Gina, hi Edward!" Nick knelt to kiss each child, then gave Thor an affectionate pat. "I've missed you all so much. I'm home early today! Where's your mom? Why isn't she here to greet me?"
As Nick embraced his children, he heard Kate's footsteps approaching from the kitchen. Her voice, tinged with a hint of exasperation, reached him before she came into view.
"You call this early? We were just about to head to bed!" Kate stood in the doorway between the kitchen and the hall, dressed in a pink home T-shirt and black knee-length shorts. Her hair was pulled back in a messy bun, and she held a kitchen towel in her hands.
"Kate, honey, don't start," Nick pleaded, his tone light despite his exhaustion. "You know you're the greatest treasure in my world."
He moved to embrace his wife, the familiar scent of her shampoo momentarily pushing away the stress of the day. Since Rose Saltano's murder, Nick had been spending long hours at work, often returning home well after the rest of the family had gone to bed. Kate understood the demands of his job, but he could sense the underlying hurt in her words.
After washing up and changing into comfortable blue pants and a T-shirt, Nick joined his family in the kitchen. The children, excited to have their father home at a reasonable hour, eagerly shared stories of their day – tales of triumphs in sports, adventures with friends, and all the little moments they'd been longing to share. Kate stood at the sink, washing dishes, a smile playing on her lips as she listened to the animated chatter.
