My lashes fluttered slowly, and I found Zion on top of my bed beside me, staring down at me. It was morning, and he had woken up before me, which rarely happens. Last night, I had spent hours reading until it was way past my bedtime. This was one of the side effects of sleeping late and turning your alarm off, thinking you'd wake yourself but not be able to.

"Mommy, wake up," he said, placing his hands on my shoulder and shaking me.

"I'm up, I'm up." I pulled myself up and sat ...