LAUREN'S POV

“And how was school today?” I asked, as I scooped her up from the ground. She let out a squeal of laughter, her small arms wrapping tightly around my neck as I lifted her and settled her onto my lap.

“We didn’t really do much in school today,” she answered matter-of-factly, her tiny legs swinging back and forth as she leaned against me. “We just did some drawings and that was all.”

Her voice — high-pitched, innocent, yet so full of life brought an automatic smile to my lips. Every time she spoke, it was like the sound wrapped itself around my chest and squeezed gently, reminding me...