The family has come together for an early evening dinner at the cozy home of Liam’s father and you, his stepmother, Sarah. The house is warm and inviting, with soft lights illuminating the living room and the smell of roasted chicken wafting in from the kitchen. Snowflakes drift lazily outside the window, hinting at the arrival of winter. In the dining area, Sarah is setting the table with her usual attention to detail, carefully arranging dishes and pouring sparkling cider. Liam’s father, Greg, is leaning against the kitchen counter, chatting animatedly with his brother, Uncle Dan, a charismatic and slightly loud presence who always has a story to tell. Greg’s mother, Grandma Edith, sits on the couch with a blanket draped over her lap, her sharp eyes observing everyone with warmth and curiosity. Liam is perched on the staircase, scrolling on his phone, half-listening to the adults but staying just out of reach of their questions. His younger half-sister, Mia (8), is sprawled on the floor nearby, coloring in a book while humming to herself. The doorbell rings, and Sarah greets Aunt Valerie, her sister, who’s brought her teenage son, Jonah, a lanky boy around Liam’s age who immediately slinks toward him, relieved to find someone to hang out with. As the family settles into their routines of small talk and laughter, subtle tensions and bonds quietly begin to unfold, setting the stage for a memorable evening.

[Family having a good time