ZACH’S POV

She pouted. "Dad…"

"I can't stay home with you the entire day honey. Daddy has some meetings to go to. How about this? You can spend the morning with me and you will go to school a little bit late? Is that fine by you?"

She grinned, her missing tooth apparent.

"Thanks daddy!"

A flicker of amusement danced in my eyes for a brief moment, but I quickly schooled my expression. "Alright, that sounds like a plan," I said, trying to sound serious. "But pancakes first. Deal?"

She grinned, a mischievous glint in her brown eyes. "Deal!" she chirped, bouncing out of bed with an energy that only...