The sun had risen long ago, but Carol was still resting. We had a long night, and I could take care of our ten kids for a few hours while she caught up on some much-needed sleep. I quietly slipped out of bed, careful not to wake her, and made my way to the kitchen. The castle was unusually quiet, a rare moment of peace before the storm of chaos that usually followed our kids.
I started preparing breakfast, humming softly to myself as I cracked eggs into a bowl and sliced fresh fruit. The smell of coffee filled the air, and I couldn’t help but smile as I thought about the day ahead. With the kids gone, Carol and I had the whole day to ourselves. It was a rare gift, and I intended to make the most of it.
As I flipped pancakes on the stove, I heard the soft patter of footsteps behind me. I
