On this last Sunday of November, the air was crisp and carried a faint scent of rain-soaked earth.

  The BELL 407 descended smoothly onto the Fortier estate’s helipad, its blades slowing as Seven killed the engine. Kimi and Katherine stepped out first, helping Sana to disembark from the cabin while Seven grabbed the folded wheelchair from the cargo bay, opening it with practiced ease.

  The estate loomed ahead, grand and majestic, with its manicured lawns and French-milled limestone walls. Seven adjusted the collar of his jacket, feeling a twinge of apprehension. The weight of the past lingered, not from memories but from truths he had only recently uncovered. Though he pushed it aside, unease remained as they made their way to the side entrance. It was his first time meeting his extended family, and he hoped they would be welcoming.

  Inside, the warm glow of the parlor was a welcome contrast to the dreary weather. The scent of mulled wine and roasted chestnuts drifted through the air, mingling with the lively chatter of gathered kin.

  “There you are!” Alain Fortier’s voice boomed as they approached, his face lighting up with mirth.

  Seven guided Sana’s wheelchair forward, offering his grandfather a warm smile. “Good to see you, Grandpa.”

  “It’s about time you met your relatives,” Alain said, clapping a palm on Seven’s shoulder. “Now, why don’t you make the introductions?”

  Seven took a breath, letting his nerves settle. “Hi everyone, my original name is Seven. But according to Mom, she named me Landry before I was even born. So, I’ll answer to either name.”

  Then, gently caressing Sana’s hair, he casually shared, “This is Sana, and she’s my girlfriend…”

  Sana beamed. “It’s a pleasure to meet you all.”

  Next, Seven balled a fist and mock-jabbed Kimi’s arm. “This here is Kimi—Sana’s fourth brother.” He glanced at Katherine before he reached out to ruffle her hair. “And this is Kate, my little sister. Her parents adopted me when I was four, so I’ve been the big brother ever since.”

  “And he’s been annoyingly good at it,” Kate interjected with a grin, playfully swatting his hand away.

  Leona chuckled softly as she gestured toward Alain’s siblings. “Landry, this is your grandfather’s younger brother, Leo, and his wife, Margot. Their son, Lyon, is your uncle, and his wife, Faye, is your aunt.”

  After Seven greeted each member respectfully, Lena stepped forward, her hazel eyes sparkling with admiration. “Nice to meet you, Landry! I’m your Uncle Lyon’s only child, Lena,” she murmured, her enthusiasm infectious.

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  “Likewise, Lena,” Seven replied, his tone friendly. “Are you still in college or…”

  A soft giggle escaped Lena’s lips. “Nah, I’m a jewelry designer.”

  Sana’s features brightened. “Lena, do you know Sig Shahi?”

  Lena blinked, surprise coloring her expression. “Funny you should ask. I’m a designer at Signette Jewelers. So technically, I know of him, but I don’t think he knows me, haha…”

  Sana laughed along, charmed by Lena’s bubbly personality. Hmm… wouldn’t it be fun to play Cupid?

  Lena arched a brow. “How do you know Signette’s president, Sana?”

  With a twinkle in her eyes, Sana blurted, “He’s my cousin!”

  “No way!” Lena exclaimed, her excitement bubbling over. “What’s he like?”

  Sana grinned, deciding to indulge Lena’s interest. “Oh, he’s quite the character. Handsome, brilliant, ambitious, a bit of a workaholic. But most importantly, he’s a doting cousin!”

  Lena cracked up, tickled by the part-serious, part-jest quip. “I’d love to pick his brain about the industry someday.”

  “I can set that up,” Sana offered with a wink.

  “I’ll hold you to that!” Lena chirped.

  As the sidetracked conversation settled, Leona went on to introduce more members. Seven greeted his grand-aunt Maelle and grand-uncle Vonne, along with their children, Marcel and Vivienne. Marcel’s son, Maxim, chimed in, “Welcome to the fam, Landry. Hope you’re good with names.”

  “No sweat,” Seven hummed as he tapped his temple with a smirk. “I’ve got a photographic memory.”

  Then, Vivienne stepped forward and gestured to her family. “Landry, this is your uncle, Guy Gautier, and this is your cousin, Vera.”

  “Whoa, Cuz, you’re ridiculously tall and good-looking! Ever thought about dipping your toes in the entertainment industry? You’d kill it and probably make bank,” Vera mused, beaming and clearly unbothered about sharing her first impressions.

  Seven snorted. “Not a chance. I can’t sing, dance, or act to save my life.”

  Laughter rippled through the room, easing the subtle tension that had gnawed at his nerves since his arrival.

  Vera’s gaze shifted to the trio. “Well, I bet Kimi, Kate, and Sana could totally pull it off.”

  Flustered looks broke out among them as Seven countered, “Kimi’s a legal eagle, Kate’s a police detective, and Sana’s a tech whiz. I don’t think they’re up for it either.”

  “That’s badass! Kate and Sana are killin’ it in male-dominated fields,” Vera hailed as she shot at them with finger guns.

  Vera’s words reminded Marcel of something. “Landry, why don’t you join Kaléido Corp’s healthcare group as a trauma specialist?”

  Before Seven could reply, Leona interjected, “Marcel, he’s with the military right now.”

  Marcel’s brows furrowed, confusion etched in his features. “Isn’t he a trauma specialist?”

  Seven nodded. “I am. I currently juggle responsibilities across three different military units. I’m mainly with the Special Forces, but I’m also a trauma specialist attached to Walter Reed, and I provide cybersecurity expertise at the Pentagon as needed.”

  He paused, his expression thoughtful. “But I’m planning to leave the military soon.”

  The parlor fell into sudden stillness, absorbing the weight of the unexpected revelations.

  Alain leaned forward, his full attention on his grandson. “Landry, your mother will take over Kaléido Corp in January, and your uncles will assist her. It could be a great opportunity to learn from them; you can work your way up like Maxim.”

  Seven hesitated, his mien inscrutable. “Grandpa, even if I’m no longer in the military, I don’t think joining Kaléido Corp is a good idea. After what happened to Dad and me…” Seven trailed off, letting his silence fill in the gaps.

  Alain sighed, a mix of pain, regret, and understanding swirling in the depths of his gaze. “Whatever you decide, we’ll support you.”