Years later

“Daddy!” As I step off the elevator, Alessia squeals, running at me. Her red pigtails bounce the whole way. I scoop her up into my arms. Her little hands come to my cheeks as she rubs her nose against mine. She giggles when I return the gesture.

“How is my bunny?”

“All hopped up on sugar,” Emma calls from the kitchen.

“Am not.” I’m not sure I believe her. Her face is still covered in frosting. Alessia can be a bit of a cupcake bandit. We never can bust her stealing them, but she manages to do it somehow.

“You let your sister get into the cupcakes?” I...