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“You can’t miss everyone the same,” Levi protested.“You have to have your favorite.”

“Her favorite is Daddy because none of you would be here without me,” Alex said.“Why don’t you all go to the playroom and draw Mom pictures of all the things that have happened since she’s been gone.”

The three kids jumped up and scampered off.“And Hudson, no more pictures of dinosaurs eating your siblings!”Alex called after them.

“Then I have nothing to draw,” Hudson called back.

“We’re missing one kid,” Abby said, after the others were gone.

“I sold Emma to the highest bidder.We got a lot for her.Thank God she’s still cute, and her new mom hasn’t seen how much she eats.”

“You’re adorable,” Abby said, kissing him.

“I won’t argue with that.”

Abby looked up at Alex’s tall, lanky frame, which dwarfed her.She hooked her hand in his belt loop, the way she’d been doing since they were teenagers.“Seriously, where’s Emma?”she asked.

“She got so overtired that she broke down, so I put her to bed.I didn’t think you needed to come home to any extra crying.”

“You’re a good husband.”

“I was hoping to give you a peaceful night, although I’m not sure that will be possible.”

Alex took her hand and led her to the couch, then got her a Diet Coke and sat beside her.He put his arm around her, and she melted into his chest, feeling his heartbeat against her back.

She had loved Alex from the time they were thirteen, and although their lives mainly consisted of going to the park, attending birthday parties, and finding new ways to entertain their kids, she knew he was still in the trenches with her.He’d never walk away the way her father had.

“Do you want me to empty your suitcase into the washing machine and start a load?”Alex asked.

“I’ll do it tomorrow.Right now, I’d rather sit here quietly with you.”

Six little but thunderous feet pounded into the room, running after the dog like Miss Piggy chasing Kermit the frog.

“Please leave Walter alone; he’s going to collapse,” Abby said, scooping the dog up in her arms.

“Walter loves it,” Levi said.

Walter panted in Abby’s arms and nuzzled his head into her chest.“Walter needs a nap.Or a nursing home,” Abby whispered to Alex.

“Why don’t you guys go back to the playroom and torture each other,” Alex said.

“Okay!”Hudson and Levi said, and they all ran off again.

“That was a joke!”Alex called after them.

Alex stood up.“I’ll be right back.I want to make sure theywentinto the playroom.”He followed behind them.

Abby put Walter down on the floor.“Go to your crate and lock the door,” she said.He skittered away as if he understood.

Abby pushed aside the action figures, stuffed animals, and Lego blocks that littered the coffee table and grabbed the television remote.Her house used to be decorated with scented candles, plants, and a lovely bride-and-groom figurine that had been a wedding gift.Now, all of that was in a box in the garage, and her décor matched Target’s toy department.

Thinking about which reality show she wanted to watch—Married at First Sight,Love Island,Temptation Island,Love Is Blind?—Abby couldn’t help but wonder why she had such a thing for dating shows.Could it be because the only person she’d ever been on a date with was Alex.Could I have missedout on an important part of life?Then again, who else would be understanding when I lose my passport or forget to pay the mortgage?And what other man would find it cute when I mix up metaphors?When Abby said things like ‘the light at the end of the rainbow,’ ‘eyes are the windows to your head,’ or ‘no skin off my toes,’ Alex would look at her with amusement and so much love.

Alex returned to the room looking slightly more haggard than when he’d left.

“I know me being gone has put a lot on you,” Abby said.“But I appreciate you taking care of everything.”

“I love you,” Alex said.