Ted, Ethan, and Claire were driving back to their grandfather's house, having just attended his funeral. The air inside the car was thick with silence, each of them caught in their own thoughts.

Ted glanced at his brother and sister, noticing how much they had changed over the years. Ethan’s face looked older, the lines around his eyes deepening from years of dealing with high-pressure business deals, while Claire, whose eyes were usually full of energy, now seemed distant, her gaze clouded with sorrow.

The silence between them felt strange. The farm had always been Ted’s life, but for Ethan and Claire, it was more of a fading memory. When they arrived at the front door, Ted paused, his hand resting on the handle, hesitating for a moment.

Taking a deep breath, he opened the door, and they stepped inside. The lawyer, standing quietly in the corner of the room, reminded them of the reason they had gathered—something far heavier than just the house around them.

“Where’s Lucas?” Ted asked, scanning the room for his nephew.

“He’s outside with the sheep,” Claire replied, her voice tinged with weariness. “I didn’t want him at the funeral. He’s too young for something like that.”

Ted nodded. “It’s probably for the best. He shouldn’t remember today this way.”

They sat down on the old couch, the room feeling strangely hollow despite the presence of family. The lawyer, dressed in dark attire, opened his briefcase and pulled out the will.

“As you know, your grandfather, John, wasn’t a man of many words,” the lawyer began. “So the will is very brief.”

Ethan, checking his watch, spoke up. “The farm stays with Ted, right? Claire and I will get some money, and then we can wrap this up. I have a flight to catch.”

The lawyer met his gaze calmly. “It’s not quite that simple,” he said. “John left the farm to all three of you.”

Claire frowned. “All three of us? Ted’s the one who stayed here. Can’t we just give our shares to him?”

“I’m afraid it’s not that simple,” the lawyer replied. “The farm belongs to all of you, but with one condition: you must all take care of it.”

Ethan leaned forward, confused. “I don’t understand. What does that mean?”

The lawyer explained. “The farm will remain yours if all three of you return here to live on it.”

Claire’s eyes widened in shock. “What kind of condition is that? We can’t just move back.”

Ethan shook his head. “I’m not giving up everything for a farm. Ted’s worked here his whole life, but it’s not for us.”

The lawyer placed the will on the table. “If even one of you refuses to move back, the farm will be handed over to the state.”

“That’s insane! This farm has been in our family for generations!” Claire exclaimed.

“This is what your grandfather wanted,” the lawyer said, before standing and quietly leaving the room.

“So, when are you moving back in?” Ted asked, his voice soft, almost hopeful.

“What do you mean?” Claire asked, looking at him, puzzled.

“We’re not moving here,” Ethan added firmly.

“But the farm… it needs us,” Ted said, his voice trailing off as he stared at the familiar walls.

Claire reached over, taking Ted’s hand. “Ted, I know this farm means a lot to you. It means a lot to all of us. But we’ve built lives far away from here. Ethan has his business, I have my job, and Lucas is settled in school. He’s made friends, he’s got activities… It wouldn’t be fair to take him away from that now.”

Ted looked at them both, his heart aching. “Are you really going to give up the farm? The place where we grew up? It’s not just land; it’s our childhood, our memories.”

Ethan sighed deeply. “They’re just memories, Ted. We have to move on.”

Without another word, Ethan and Claire walked out to find Lucas. Ted stayed behind, his determination hardening. He couldn’t let the farm slip away.

When Ethan, Claire, and Lucas returned, they found Ted sitting on the porch, an old guitar resting on his lap.

“What are you doing, Ted?” Claire asked, raising an eyebrow.

Ted strummed the strings gently, his voice soft. “Just thought I’d remember the old days,” he said, glancing up at them.

Ethan picked up another guitar that had been resting on the porch and began tuning it. “Guess I’m lucky my flight was delayed,” he said with a grin.

The three of them began to play, fingers finding old chords as if no time had passed. Claire’s voice lifted, warm and soothing, singing the songs they used to perform together when they were kids.

Lucas, unable to resist the rhythm, began to dance. His small feet tapping the earth, his innocent joy filling the space. Ted smiled, watching his nephew, feeling a pang of hope. The music breathed life back into the house, bringing memories to the surface.

As the last notes faded, Ted took a breath. “That was fun, but you do realize this isn’t going to change anything, right?” Claire said, her smile waning.

Ted’s heart sank. “Why not? We could have everything here. This place is all we need.”

Claire shook her head. “I’ve already told you, Ted. Lucas has school, his friends… his whole life is back there.”

Ted’s frustration boiled over. “Lucas didn’t even know what a cow looked like! This farm could teach him so much. What are you even talking about?”

Before Claire could answer, Ethan’s phone rang. “Sorry, I need to take this,” he said, stepping aside.

Claire sighed, rubbing Ted’s shoulder lightly. “Thanks for trying, Ted. But you have to understand, we’re not staying.”

She turned and walked into the house, leaving Ted standing alone. Ethan returned moments later, a troubled look on his face.

“Is everything okay?” Ted asked, concern creeping into his voice.

Ethan forced a smile. “Yeah, don’t worry about it,” he said, heading inside.

Ted sighed heavily, feeling the weight of everything around him. He made his way to the barn to milk the goats, finding comfort in the familiar routine. But as he started, he heard footsteps. He looked up to see Lucas standing in the doorway.

“Is that a dog?” Lucas asked, eyes wide with curiosity.

Ted chuckled. “A dog? No, that’s a goat,” he said, gesturing to the animal.

Lucas stepped closer. “It has funny eyes,” he said, tilting his head.

“Yeah, they do look a little strange,” Ted agreed. “But they’re harmless. Want to try milking her?”

Lucas’s eyes lit up, and he eagerly nodded. Ted showed him how to do it, guiding his small hands. After a few tries, Lucas managed to fill a cup. Ted handed it to him. “Go ahead, try it.”

Lucas took a sip, his face lighting up with surprise. “I thought milk came from the store,” he said, wide-eyed.

Ted smiled. “What do they even teach you in those schools?”

After a moment, Lucas hesitated. “Can you teach me how to play baseball?”

Ted raised an eyebrow. “Don’t you have anyone to play with?”

Lucas’s voice dropped to a whisper. “All the kids play with their dads, but I don’t have one.”

Ted felt a sharp pang of empathy for the boy. “Alright, I’ll teach you tomorrow,” he said, a determination rising within him.

“Yes!” Lucas shouted, his face lighting up with excitement.

Ted looked up, seeing Claire standing nearby, smiling as she watched them.

The next morning, as the sun was just beginning to rise, Ted and Lucas headed to the field behind the barn. Ted carried an old baseball glove and bat, while Lucas skipped along beside him, eager.

Ted showed Lucas how to hold the bat. “Keep your eyes on the ball, Lucas. That’s the most important part,” Ted instructed, tossing the ball gently toward him.

Lucas swung but missed. He frowned, but Ted encouraged him. “It’s okay, try again. You’ll get it.”

They practiced for a while, Lucas growing more confident with each swing. After a while, Ethan came out, having finished his morning run. Seeing them, he couldn’t resist. “Mind if I take a swing?” he asked, grinning.

Ted handed him the bat. Ethan swung, sending the ball flying into the distance. Lucas cheered and sprinted after it. The three of them spent the morning laughing and playing, momentarily forgetting their troubles.

But after breakfast, the mood shifted. Claire and Ethan packed their bags, preparing to leave. Ted sat on the porch, his heart heavy with the impending loss.

He watched as they drove away, the farm feeling more distant with each passing second. Lost in thought, Ted barely noticed the lawyer approaching.

“Didn’t manage to change their minds?” the lawyer asked, his tone