They arrived quickly.

As Ariana pushed open the door, she was relieved to find her son, little Melon, and Adele eating cakes.

Both had cake crumbs on their faces, resembling white beards, yet the room contained only the two of them — Holden was nowhere in sight.

The sight of Ariana prompted Melon to put down his cake and sit up a little straighter.

He quickly reassured her, "Mom, I only had a small piece, really."