Before Juniper could escape, Evelyn and Lillian’s voices soared in perfect harmony:

“Welcome hoooome, our little tree! Back to where you’re meant to beeeee!”

Jacob launched himself from the stairs, sock-sliding across hardwood:

“Juni’s home, Juni’s homeee! Why’d you ever have to r o o o o a m m m m ?

Juniper’s face settled into a mask of practiced neutrality. “Oh no.”

Evelyn pirouetted around her husband’s recliner, her cardigan flowing like a costume:

“Our lawyer daughter, so refined Left all her family far behiiiind!”

Lillian emerged from behind the tree in a shower of tinsel:

“To chase big dreams down in the city Leaving us here, oh what a pity!”

They converged in the center of the room, circling their captive audience like musical sharks:

“But now she’s back, back, back! With friend in tow, oh what a shooow! Our Juni’s finally tracked her path… Back to where the heart knows to g o o o o o !

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