ALIANA

It's a new day but I am completely exhausted.

Fingers tapping, King sits up straight - legs folded neat - and lines up tiny vehicles one by one. A quiet groan escapes while he fits each piece like it means more than play.

“Mom,” he says, serious. “This one is the school. This one is your office and this one is where bad people are not allowed.”

A grin tugs at my face anyway. "Your layout is perfect sweetheart ".

He nods. “I’m protecting you.”

Bending low, I press a kiss where his hair begins. "That's something you're already doing."

Fifteen minutes while driving the phone rings twice -...