Maya woke to the soft tapping of small feet outside her door.

Before she could sit up, the door flew open and Jamie rushed in with Anika right behind him. Both of them were already dressed for school uniforms a little rumpled, backpacks bigger than their bodies, eyes bright with excitement.

“Mommy!” Jamie jumped on the bed. “You’re taking us to school today!”

“Yes!” Anika added, climbing up beside him. “Please, Mommy. Please, please, please.”

Maya blinked at them, amused and hopelessly defeated before the day had even started.

“I thought Rina was driving you today?” she asked gently.

“No,” Jamie said immediately.

“We want you,” Anika confirmed, crossing her...