Chloe in Willowmere

Marco emerges from the bakery doorway carrying a magnificent round cake frosted in pale blue with 'WILLOWMERE' written in elegant white icing, tiny edible wildflowers circling the border. Chloe, still wearing her wildflower wreath, and Rosie watch with delight as he sets it down under the lantern-strung trees. Rosie bounces on her toes, thrilled that the whole town's name has been immortalized in sugar. But the moment Marco declares 'Welcome to Willowmere,' Luna the black cat launches from behind a potted plant and lands squarely on the cake, settling in with the serene confidence of a creature who has never once considered consequences. Chloe gasps in horror while Rosie dissolves into delighted laughter. Marco, ever the baker philosopher, simply begins cutting around the cat, remarking that the fur adds texture. As Chloe lifts the unbothered Luna from her frosting throne, she realizes that chaos and belonging have arrived together, and she wouldn't have it any other way.