Alexander felt his throat tighten.
“Maybe.”
Oliver hugged his teddy bear.
“Then Mommy was really smart.”
Alexander laughed softly.
“She was.”
The boy crawled beneath his blanket.
“Daddy?”
“Yes?”
“Are you going to work tomorrow?”
Alexander thought about the appointments he had canceled, the meetings he had delegated, and the business trip he had postponed.
“I have a little work in the morning.”
Oliver’s face fell slightly.
“But afterward, I’m all yours.”
“Promise?”
Alexander held out his little finger.
“Promise.”
Oliver hooked his finger around it.
“Can we make pancakes?”
“Absolutely.”
“Even if I make a mess?”
“Especially if you make a mess.”
Oliver giggled.
Then he grew quiet.
“Daddy, I don’t feel so scared anymore.”
Alexander brushed the hair away from his forehead.
“I’m glad.”
“I still miss Mommy.”
“So do I.”
“Will we always miss her?”
