I had been gone for five days, but nothing prepared me for what I saw when I opened the door: my wife juggling dinner and our sick toddler, while my mother and sister sat nearby on their phones.

banged a spoon happily against his high-chair tray.

“Pancake!” Noah shouted proudly.

Lauren laughed.

A real laugh this time.

Ethan wrapped his arms around her waist from behind and kissed her shoulder gently.

“Careful,” she teased. “I’m armed with pancake batter.”

“I’m willing to risk it.”

Noah squealed happily between them.

And standing there in the middle continue reading …