The morning sun was bright and cheerful, seemingly at odds with the tension building inside the Co family condo. Today marked a milestone—the twins’ first outing. Michael and Marnie had prepared meticulously for this moment: diapers, wipes, blankets, spare clothes, bottles, a small first-aid kit, and even a thermos of water. Michael had packed the car like a military operation, checking and double-checking everything, while Marnie tried to keep him calm.
“Michael,” she said, tightening the straps on the twins’ car seats. “They’re just going to the park nearby. It’s not an expedition to the North Pole.”
He looked at her, eyes wide and serious, as if she had suggested walking through a minefield. “Marnie… the twins are fragile. They’re still tiny. A sneeze, a bump, a gust of wind… it could
