Hearing them enter, they all looked up, each with a comical piece of paper stuck to their faces.

Rodney and Catalina were caught off guard by Mitchel and Ariana's sudden arrival. Their smiles went stiff, and their laughter halted abruptly. Only Melon, unfazed and delighted, ran towards Ariana with papers stuck all over his face. "Mom!" he chirped. “We're playing!"

Ariana couldn't help but grin, giving Melon's cheek a little squeeze before acknowledging the two adults with a nod.

Trying to appear unaffected, Catalina attempted to clear her throat and hold onto her usual cool exterior. But, catching sight of her paper-clad face in a mirror, she gave up and laughed. “Melon's been such a bundle of joy. He's brought so much life to this place."

Ariana found it hard not to find Catalina charming; underneath that tough front was a genuinely warm soul. “I just hope he isn't too much of a handful for you guys," Ariana said.