The morning came heavy with mist. The sun struggled to break through, and the streets glistened with overnight rain. Ethan woke to the quiet hum of the city—distant tires, a bird calling somewhere unseen, the faint drip of water from the gutter outside. He lay in bed for a few moments longer than usual, listening, breathing, letting the calm settle into his chest.
Noah was already awake, curled in a small ball at the edge of the bed. When he opened his eyes, they shone with cautious curiosity, like he was testing the world for safety before stepping fully into it.
“Morning, buddy,” Ethan said softly.
“Morning, Daddy,” Noah replied, rubbing his eyes. “Do you think today will be… quiet?”
Ethan smiled. “I think it could be. But even quiet days have surprises.”
Noah nodded solemnly, as if
