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I had to admit, a camper would be useful. It would give us somewhere to stay while travelling around New Haven, and a way to explore without having to arrange accommodations every time we wanted a change of scenery. But the fact that my parents had arrived on another planet with a camper, a minivan conversion, and what appeared to be half a household's worth of purchases was no less unexpectedly zany for being practical.

Bob chimed in before I could find a response. "The roads to the Ingalls Inland Sea are also being laid, so you'll soon be able to take the camper on a proper seaside holiday. I think you'll find it ideal for family trips."

"Of course you do," I muttered.

Mom gave me a delighted look. "The Ingalls Inland Sea! That sounds lovely. You could spend your honeymoon there first, and then take the children for family holidays afterwards."

"One trip at a time, Mom."

"I know, sweetheart. But you have to admit, it's a lovely thought."

I looked at Tarek. He had given up trying to conceal his amusement and was now smiling openly.

"Don't you start," I warned him.

"I haven't said a word."

"You don't need to. Your face is doing all the talking."

He leaned down and kissed my temple. "I think it's wonderful, Corathiel. Your parents have found a way to visit whenever they want, and we'll have a vehicle and camper for family holidays. It's rather thoughtful."

I wanted to argue, but I couldn't. It was thoughtful. Completely over the top, wildly unexpected, and utterly ridiculous, but thoughtful all the same.

Before I could respond, the shuttle's cargo hatch opened, and the first of the incoming vehicles began to emerge from the freight bay.

My minivan.

I recognised it immediately. It was unmistakably mine, with the same familiar shape and all the same fittings, but the difference was in the details. The paint gleamed as though it had just rolled out of the showroom, the chrome looked brand-new, and the tires were pristine. Whatever they'd done to the power system and the mechanics underneath, they'd also given the whole vehicle a thorough refresh.

I walked towards it, grinning despite myself.

"Wow. Look at it! You guys also gave it a glow-up. It looks great, thanks."

Dad looked pleased with himself. "We thought you'd appreciate having it looking its best."

"I certainly do."

The minivan rolled off the transport platform and was guided into a designated unloading area. Behind it came a floating pallet stacked with boxes and furniture, followed by my washer and dryer.

I stopped again. "Whose stuff is with my washer and dryer?"

Dad grinned. "Your mother and I might have done a bit more shopping."

Mom gave him a playful nudge. "Antiquing, actually."

I turned towards her. "Antiquing?"

"Yes! We spent a couple of days looking around Florida and Alabama. There were some lovely pieces available, and we found a few things we thought would suit your new home."

Dad gestured towards the pallet. "A table, some chairs, a dresser, a couple of cabinets, beds for everyone, and a few other bits and pieces. Nothing too extravagant."

I looked at the furniture, then at the washer and dryer, then at the minivan. "Beds, too?"

"Of course," Mom said. "We thought it would be nice for you and the children to have your own beds ready for the new house. We haven't bought mattresses, though, because we didn't know what sizes or types you'd want."

"Laura's crib is already being replicated," I explained. "It'll be moved over from where we're staying once it's ready."

"Well, that's one less thing to worry about," Mom said.