After the feeding, I returned home to the house that Paul and I had made into a home. I had sent BJ and Sam ahead of me, and they were in the family room playing. BJ ran to me and flung herself against my legs as if sensing that things might never be the same again.

I picked her up, held her in my arms, and kissed her all over her face until she begged to be put down. I looked at Sam who seemed happy to be back home but still sad about what I was trying to deal ...