"I still have some e-mails to take care of," Quatre says, glancing over with a grin (the laptop case is on his right shoulder) as they walk back, "but that's about all."

(It's 4 p.m. Quatre's normal work day is about 6:30 am - 7pm, plus several extra hours devoted to industry magazines and e-mails, so this is getting off early, for him.)

They pass by the sunroom on their right side, but at this time of day it's empty of all but two of his nephews, working on a puzzle on the floor. Neither of them glance up for more than a moment, but he gives them a quick wave.